Entrepreneur Community Events in New Mexico

Founded in 1998 by tribes for tribes, the American Indigenous Tourism Association in Albuquerque, NM represents a transformative response to long-standing inequities within the tourism system. Rooted in culture, driven by community, and powered by tourism, this organization embodies a commitment to defining, introducing, growing, and sustaining Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values. Led by an all-Native board of directors, the association serves as a unified voice championing tourism as a powerful catalyst for economic sovereignty, cultural authenticity, and community empowerment across American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian nations. The organization recognizes that Indigenous-owned hospitality businesses generated $11.6 billion in economic impact in 2020, demonstrating the substantial economic potential when Native communities control their own tourism narratives. With more than 27 years of dedicated service, the association has established itself as the only national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing Indigenous cultural heritage tourism. The organization envisions a future where Indigenous tourism serves as a catalyst for meaningful partnerships, powerful cultural expression, and global recognition of Native Nations. By supporting Native Nations and communities looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint, the association provides essential resources and advocacy. Through initiatives like the annual Excellence in Indigenous Tourism Awards and the national conference, the organization builds community connections and celebrates achievements within the Indigenous tourism sector, fostering pride and economic development from Alaska to Hawaii and throughout the continental United States.

Native Women Lead is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Native American and Indigenous women entrepreneurs through comprehensive business support services and strategic funding opportunities. Based in Albuquerque, NM, the organization provides access to capital programs including the Matriarch Response Fund, Matriarch Creative Fund, and Matriarch Restorative Fund, designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage from ideation to established business operations. The organization works at the intersections of rematriation, economic justice, and racial equity, offering relationship-based lending models developed in partnership with financial institutions and community capital organizations. Native Women Lead amplifies Native women entrepreneurs by providing technical assistance, peer support networks, and curated programming that honors Indigenous culture and community values. The organization has successfully deployed over $150,000 in forgivable loans and creative economy funding while partnering with dozens of Native women-owned businesses through their Fair-Trade Initiative BEWE Box program. Their programming includes virtual learning opportunities, business development workshops, and community convenings that bring together Native women entrepreneurs across Turtle Island. With recent achievement of 501(c)3 nonprofit status, Native Women Lead continues to expand its ecosystem of business support services, currently seeking dedicated professionals to join their team as Loan Fund Coordinators and Program Managers to scale impact across the region.