Five employees from Ho-Chunk Trading Group attended the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. SweetGrass Trading Company is just one company under Ho-Chunk Trading Group, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
Several other Ho-Chunk, Inc., subsidiaries were represented at the Ho-Chunk Pavilion in the conference’s exhibitor hall. Trading Group employees served samples of Tribal Tea and connected with potential vendors, customers and partners. A video was also displayed that featured other products from SweetGrass Trading Company.
RES is held annually and is put on by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). This year’s theme was EMPOWERING FOR GENERATIONS. The event featured tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local officials, and top CEOs on a national platform.
Breakout session topics included enterprise development, entertainment, advocacy, entrepreneurship, food sovereignty, infrastructure, gaming, access to capital, and leadership and governance. In addition, The American Indian Artisan Market provided an opportunity for Native American artists to showcase and sell their products at the largest economic summit in Indian Country.
Notable people in Indian Country were also present, including actor Moses Brings Plenty, model and activist Quannah Racinghorse, actor Tantoo Cardinal, and champion bull rider Dakota Louis.