Councilmen Mathias and Morigeau report on travel

PABLO — Elmo Tribal Council Representative Reuben Mathias and St. Ignatius Tribal Council Representative Charlie Morigeau attended the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development conference in Las Vegas and the American Indian Business Trade Fair. Both said they were impressed to see the caliber of tribally-run businesses that are thriving around the country. This year’s event was dedicated to honoring the thriving women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs. Many of the successful businesses started out simply as a dream. Mathias said it’s important to see these kinds of business successes that occur in Indian Country.

“We don’t see it often enough,” Mathias said.

Mathias reached out to a team of sisters from the Spokane Indian Tribe and encouraged them to pursue opportunities at the Best Western Resort and Casino. The sisters, Monica Simeon and Marina TurningRobe, own and operate Sister Sky natural beauty projects.

According to their Web site, http://sistersky.com the sisters partnered with a mission to create natural products inspired by the herbal wisdom of their culture.

“Native Americans have rich and meaningful plant traditions respecting nature’s own healing herbs from the earth. The use of plant botanicals has been part of our lives since childhood. Our grandmothers harvested a variety of plants to make teas, ointments and creams,” states their site.

Morigeau also attended the ATNI conference in February. He received information on what new benefits and funding opportunities exist for Native Veterans. He also heard reports on how the Obama Administration is pushing for alternative energy and other energy opportunities for Indian Country.

Also mentioned was an update on the Columbia Basin Treaty and its impact on CSKT waters.

On March 5, Morigeau sat down with the Avista Corp. in Spokane to discuss details with corporate executives on how the established power company operates their own business. The trip was part of a fact-finding mission and exploration of possible partnership possibilities.