The ACES School

05/19/2026

Doing Business on Tribal Lands: It’s Not That Complicated

July 6-7 at River Spirit Casino Resort
Tulsa, OK

Are you an entrepreneur, contractor, educator, researcher, policymaker, or attorney interested in economic development in Indian Country?

Join us for this two-day workshop co-sponsored by Sovereign Strategies. Learn to navigate tribal commercial law, sovereignty, governance, and other aspects of doing business in Indian Country.

Topics Include:
• Federal Indian Law and professional ethics in tribal jurisdictions
• Tribal code development and economic governance
• Business dispute resolution on tribal lands
• Entrepreneurship in Indian Country
• Tribal governance and Tribal economic development
• Improving access to justice in tribal legal systems

9 CLE credit pending approval for eligible Oklahoma attorneys.
2.0 Ethics
5.5 General
1.5 Professional Responsibility/Improving Legal System

Link in comments

05/18/2026

New, long-sought agreement recognizes hat the Southern Ute Tribe has “the expertise & the governance systems to manage our resources responsibly while advancing the well-being of our Tribal Members and safeguarding our land, water & culture.”

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05/15/2026

“Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is extending its push into high-profile hospitality assets with a new agreement to acquire a landmark Southern California hotel, building on a series of recent investments outside gaming.“

05/09/2026

The chief executive is overseeing the rapid growth of First Nations projects as Canadian infrastructure investment surges

05/05/2026

We are redefining “what treatment looks like from an Indigenous lens.”

We use “the land as a resource as part of treatment…. We also will be incorporating workforce development but it’s all grounded in the mission to help heal our community.”

05/05/2026

We are redefining “what treatment looks like from an Indigenous lens.”

We use “the land as a resource as part of treatment…. We also will be incorporating workforce development but it's all grounded in the mission to help heal our community.”

Emily Edenshaw, CEO of the Ketchikan Indian Community, is advancing culturally grounded health care and workforce development, shaped by her own experience with generational trauma and recovery.

04/29/2026

Judge Blake, a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, devoted his life’s work to strengthening tribal courts and supporting justice systems in Indian Country.

04/17/2026

Today, we’re wrapping up the workshop with our Adventures in Indian Country panel feat. Justice Drent, Prof. Crepelle, and (soon-to-be) Dr. Austin.

There are many, many stories from across Indian Country about lost potential. How can Native nations develop and retain talent, secure external investments, and foster Native entrepreneurship?

For some tribes, anti-trust laws are important to foster private sector development (in addition to tribally-owned business).

Other tribes can work toward transparency in tribal laws and court rulings. The Osage Nation offers a best-in-class model.

Tribal governments can look at model codes to adapt and adopt to encourage private investment and reservation-based entrepreneurship.

To ensure access to justice, we need legally trained attorneys in our communities. To retain that talent, we need to ensure adequate infrastructure that allows young families to secure housing and services.

04/17/2026

Prof. Miller shares his key elements of private sector development:

1.   Financial literacy
2.   Develop human capital
3.   Create entrepreneurs
4.   Funding private businesses
5.   Tribal and federal Buy Indian acts
6.   Legal infrastructure  
7.   Physical infrastructure 
8.   Attracting human & financial capital investments  
9.   Non-Profit and NGO social welfare orgs

To explore these elements further, you can read his 2019 article in the BYU Law Review.

04/17/2026

“Poverty is not a cultural trait.”

Prof. Miller reminds us that traditional Indigenous communities were prosperous and self-sustaining.

While many Native nations are experiencing economic revivals, other Native nations have work to do. Governing institutions matter for economic development and so do entrepreneurs and NGOs.

Miller recommends a handful of non-profit organizations that, like The ACES School, support tribal governments and Native entrepreneurs. If you don’t already know ONABEN, Lakota Funds, and the Four Bands Community Fund, look into the work they do.

What are your favorite orgs that support Native entrepreneurs?

04/17/2026

“We do not have a song for defeat.”

Good morning from the Cowlitz Nation, where, “for generations, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe has persevered, living in harmony with the land and passing down traditions with pride. They have weathered the storms with honor, in unity, holding tight to their independence and culture.”

We are grateful to the Forever People for hosting us this week.