SweetGrass Trading Company is proud to celebrate the incredible leaders named to the 2026 40 Under 40 list, presented by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). Each year, this recognition highlights emerging Native leaders who are making meaningful impacts across their communities, industries, and Indian Country as a whole.
This year’s honorees represent a powerful mix of vision, hard work, and dedication. From entrepreneurs and creatives to advocates and professionals, these 40 individuals are helping shape what the future looks like for Native communities while staying grounded in purpose.
To recognize their achievements, SweetGrass Trading Company sent $25 gift cards to this year’s honorees via email. Because we gathered contact information on our own, there were a few instances where we were not able to locate an email address. If you are one of this year’s 40 Under 40 recipients and did not receive your gift card, we would love to connect. Please reach out to us at mroe@sweetgrasstradingco.com and we will make sure you receive it.
We are honored to celebrate the following 2026 40 Under 40 recipients:
Dr. Valeriah Big Eagle, Yankton Sioux Tribe
Jade Blankenship, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Robert Burkybile, Modoc Nation
E. Skye Byrd, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
Michael Charles, Diné/Navajo Nation
Trish Chee, Diné/Navajo Nation
Erin Casey, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Heath Clayton, Chickasaw Nation
Raymond Crow Eagle, Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Joshua Emerson, Diné/Navajo Nation
Robby Deere, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Maximillian T. Frye, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes
Tanya Gibbs, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Loretta Grey Cloud, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Lauren Good Day, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation
Natasha Hacker, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Cante Heart, Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Jonas Hill, Oneida Nation
Michael-Corey Hinton, Passamaquoddy Tribe
Josh Jackson, Cherokee Nation
Nicole Johnny, Diné/Navajo Nation
Dr. Souksavanh Keovorabouth, Diné/Navajo Nation
Dr. Theo Latta, Cherokee Nation
Dakota Louis, Northern Cheyenne Tribe
Jordann Lankford, The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana
Alexandria McCorkle, Forest County Potawatomi Community
Anita Mitchell, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
Alli Moran, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Kristian Poncho, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana
John Preckwinkle III, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Keith Ray, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
Dr. Crystal Miller, Walker River Paiute Tribe
Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez, Northern Cheyenne Tribe
Rochelle Stockwell, Suquamish Tribe
Silas Tikaan Galbreath, Mentasta Tribe
Tyler Thomas, Cherokee Nation
Dr. Lois Stevens, Oneida Nation
Jameson Wilson, Oneida Nation
Jordan Zickermann, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
Steven Orihuela, Bishop Paiute Tribe
Congratulations to each of you. We are honored to celebrate your work and the impact you are making.