Native American Business Alliance - NABA Working Together

NABA Working Together

Reconnecting the Circle
This essay contest awards cash prizes to students who explore issues related to Native Americans.

Reconnecting the Circle, a national essay contest for high school students throughout the United States, is designed to bring together Native and non-Native students in a discussion about Indian Country and to identify common values. Their contest promotes open and honest dialogue amongst students of all cultures with an emphasis on increasing knowledge and awareness of Indian Country.

Reconnecting the Circle (RTC) is about realizing the accurate history of Indian Country, elevating the issues which caused a disconnect, and reconnecting our cultures on a common ground. It was started in 2006 in an attempt to encourage people to learn about Native American people and cultures. RTC invites students, teachers, and parents to examine the value of Native Americans to society and supports the future of Native American communities by increasing awareness of the general public.

This year's essay question is, Why is reconnecting the circle with Native Americans important today? The contest is open to all United States high school students (grades 9-12) and the deadline to submit an essay is January 21, 2008.

NABA is a proud supporter of Reconnecting the Circle through promotion on our website and among our membership, and through the participation for the second year in a row of NABA National Executive Director Jackie Gant as one of the judges of the essay contest.

If you are interested in learning more about Reconnecting the Circle or finding out how you can help, please visit their website.

Support Needed for Native American Business Institute
The Michigan State University Multicultural Business Program's Native American Business Institute (NABI) needs your help.

The Multicultural Business Programs (MBP) in MSU's Eli Broad College of Business is seeking to implement a weeklong summer institute for up to thirty 10th, 11th and 12th grade Native American students from Michigan and across the United States who have an interest in business or entrepreneurship as possible future areas of study.

This Institute will bring together professional business people with Native American students to encourage them to attend college and to facilitate their transition should they choose to go. The MBP will also develop relationships with the students' parents, families, and community groups because it has been shown that support from these groups is crucial to Native American students' long term success.

The NABI needs significant financial support from Native and non-Native corporations, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to be successful. The MBP is seeking financial support to help them launch the First Annual Native American Business Institute during the Summer of 2008. For a copy of the proposal or to learn how you can help make the NABI a reality, please contact Allard Teeple, Jr. or Kevin Leonard.

You can learn more about the Eli Broad College of Business' Native American & Hispanic Business Students program by clicking on their logo at the beginning of this article.