Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity (NACEP) Meeting Brings Tribal, Federal & Business Leaders Together in Washington

Tribal leaders, federal officials and private-sector partners meet in Washington to advance economic sovereignty, infrastructure investment, and new partnerships across Indian Country.

Tunica-Biloxi Tribal leaders, senior federal officials, and private-sector partners gathered in Washington, D.C., for a government-to-government roundtable hosted by the Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity (NACEP), advancing a national dialogue on economic sovereignty, infrastructure investment, and expanded partnerships across Indian Country.

The roundtable convened tribal nations, federal agencies, and industry leaders to explore collaborative strategies aimed at strengthening Tribal economies, expanding access to capital, and accelerating infrastructure development in Tribal communities. Federal officials from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development joined tribal leaders and economic development experts in delivering remarks.

Keynote remarks were delivered by Billy Kirkland, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior. Additional speakers included Ken Bellmard, deputy assistant secretary for Indian Affairs for Policy and Economic Development; U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach; Mark Cruz, senior advisor to the secretary of Health and Human Services; Kim Koval, acting commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans; Sebastian Jano, senior investment advisor to the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing; and Tonya Plummer, director of the Office of Loan Guarantee in HUD’s Office of Native American Programs. The agenda also featured presentations from private-sector partners and Tribal enterprises focused on housing development, infrastructure financing, and economic opportunity, along with closing remarks from political strategist Roger Stone.

NACEP is a national coalition focused on advancing long-term, sustainable economic growth across Indian Country by aligning Tribal governments, federal partners, and private-sector stakeholders around investment-ready projects and policy solutions. Its work emphasizes expanding access to capital and supporting initiatives in infrastructure, housing, workforce development, and emerging industries.

The coalition’s leadership includes Tribal leaders from across the country: Chairman Calvin Johnson of the Tonto Apache Tribe serves as vice president; Chairperson Elizabeth Hutchins of Big Sandy Rancheria serves as secretary; President Anthony Reider of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe serves as treasurer; and Chairman John Lowery of the Lumbee Tribe serves as council member-at-large.

In opening remarks, NACEP President and Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Marshall Pierite framed the coalition as part of a broader movement to strengthen tribal economic sovereignty through collaboration among tribal nations, federal partners, and private industry.

“Today is not just another meeting—today is the continuation of a movement,” Pierite said. “Through NACEP, we are working to connect Tribal Nations with partners in industry, bring affordable capital to the table, and invest in infrastructure so Indian Country can lead in the next economic era not as spectators, but as builders and leaders. We’re taking our destiny into our own hands and bringing others along with us.”

The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, which helped spearhead the formation of NACEP and continues to host national convenings in Washington, has made economic development a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and expand opportunity for its citizens.

The Tribe’s economic initiatives span hospitality and gaming, federal contracting, infrastructure development, and emerging investments in technology and energy. Through its enterprises and partnerships, the Tribe continues to expand its economic footprint, create jobs, and generate revenue to support Tribal programs and services.

A key component of that strategy is TBI Federal, a Tribal entity that provides services and solutions to federal agencies. Through its government contracting work, TBI Federal strengthens the Tribe’s presence in federal markets, builds workforce capacity, and creates career pathways for Tribal citizens.

Tribal leaders are also exploring partnerships with industry on data center development, energy infrastructure, and large-scale housing projects—areas increasingly viewed as strategic opportunities for tribal nations with available land, sovereign authority, and proximity to growing infrastructure networks.

Pierite underscored the role tribal nations can play in the broader U.S. economy.

“Indian Country is not only helping rebuild America’s economy; we are helping lead the way,” he said.

Throughout the convening, tribal leaders and federal officials emphasized the need to move beyond policy discussions and toward real-world projects that generate economic opportunity and strengthen tribal self-determination.

Participants highlighted strategies to expand public-private partnerships, increase financing opportunities for Tribal development, and ensure tribal governments are positioned to participate in major infrastructure and economic initiatives shaping rural America.

Pierite closed by urging participants to turn dialogue into action.

“When we leave Washington,” he said, “let us leave with partnerships formed, projects started, and a renewed commitment to economic sovereignty.”

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