Native Edge

Any questions or comments please send here!

Episode 51 of the Native Edge features a conversation with Larry Wright, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians. Larry shares his journey from (unexpectedly) entering tribal leadership with the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, to leading an 80-year-old organization in NCAI. 

Chris and Yvette talk about the extensive collaboration between The National Center and NCAI, including COVID response, policy work, and Larry's annual speaking "gig" at RES. This year, Larry had the honor of announcing a new MOU between NCAI and the Assembly of First Nations from Canada, reflecting the close ties between American Indian tribes and Canadian First nations that extend beyond artificial borders.

We hope you enjoy this episode - make sure to watch it on YouTube and stay tuned for additional conversations from RES!

Larry Wright |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-wright-jr-48728510a/

NCAI |
https://www.ncai.org/

NCAI Mid-Year in Memphis |
https://www.ncai.org/event/2026-mid-year-convention-and-marketplace

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

In the fourth installment of our RES interview series we welcome Mark Fox, Chairman of the MHA Nation in North Dakota. Chairman Fox chats with Chris and Yvette about his leadership and the investments the tribe made after reaching the difficult decision to responsibly development its energy resources. Now, crude oil developed on MHA lands are responsible for 3% of domestic production.

Last year, members of The National Center team -including Yvette, who is a citizen of MHA Nation - visited Chairman Fox and the tribe to learn about some of these investments, including the innovative new year-round greenhouse and a new community center and public safety infrastructure. Make sure to check it out in this recap video.

We really appreciate Chairman Fox for taking the time, and for his long support of The National Center - and great endorsement of RES! Download now and check back weekly for new episodes - and tell your friends!

Chairman Mark Fox |
https://www.mhanation.com/tribalchairman/

MHA Nation |
https://www.mhanation.com/

Native Green Grow (MHA greenhouse) |
https://www.nativegreengrow.com/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

In the third installment of our RES interview series, Chris and Yvette chat with John Oceguera. John is the CEO and owner of the public affairs firm Strategies 360, which has had a long relationship with The National Center. He is also a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

John shares his fascinating story of going from fire chief, to politician (including serving as the first Native American Speaker of the Nevada Assembly), to working with tribes at the state and local level on issues ranging from gaming to cannabis, and most recently taking over as CEO of multi-state consulting firm. John is a regular at RES, including speaking on a panel at RES 2026 on Native Americans running for political office.

We hope you enjoy the conversation - and make sure to listen to John's off-the-beaten-path recommendations to plan out your next trip to Nevada!

John Oceguera |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-oceguera-11a26ba/

Strategies 360 |
https://www.strategies360.com/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

We have a very special guest for episode 48 of The Native Edge podcast - Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas! Taboo was a major presence at RES 2026, where he participated in a conversation with Chris on the mainstage and performed an impromptu set at the Indigenous Fashion Show that brought the house down.

We were lucky to grab Taboo for a few minutes for an appearance on The Native Edge, where he talked with Chris and Yvette about his career, his writing for Marvel Comics, the importance of his Native identity, the business of music, his own podcast, and his daughter Jett - an emerging star in her own right. 

It was an honor to have Taboo join us and we hope you enjoy the conversation. Stay tuned for additional conversations from RES that we will publish in the coming weeks! As always, you can watch the episode on our YouTube page.

Taboo |
https://www.instagram.com/taboo/

Taboo's Comics and Kicks podcast |
https://www.youtube.com/@TabooLab

Black Eyed Peas |
https://blackeyedpeas.com/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

The first episode from our RES conversations features Mary Jane Oatman, Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association. Mary Jane - and yes, she confirms that is indeed her given name - chats with Chris and Yvette about how she found her way into the cannabis industry and plant medicine, its potential for Indian Country, and the challenges and opportunities for tribes and Native entrepreneurs working in, or interested in joining, this emerging field.

We will be releasing our conversations recorded at RES weekly, featuring sitdowns with pop stars, tribal leaders, former professional athletes, and others. So stay tuned to relive those amazing four days in Las Vegas!

Mary Jane Oatman |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-jane-oatman-9490a272/

Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association |
https://www.indigenouscannabis.org/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

We're back! Over the coming weeks we'll be sharing some fantastic interviews from RES, ranging from rock stars to distinguished tribal leaders. But first, we have a special episode recorded prior to RES featuring an old friend of the National Center - Dr. Eric Trevan.

Dr. Trevan is a former President and CEO of The National Center and current President and CEO of aLocal - winner of the 2025 American Indian Business of the Year Award. Dr. Trevan talks about his background in tribal economic development, time at The National Center, pursuit of a Ph.D., and his current role in using AI to help tribes and other governments make sound economic development decisions.

Plus, you'll learn how Michiganders use "the mitten" to describe where they grew up!

Take a listen, subscribe, and check back weekly for new episodes from RES.

Dr. Eric Trevan |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-s-trevan-ph-d-83262348/

 aLocal |
https://alocal.ai/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

One of the best parts of the Reservation Economic Summit is recognizing the latest class of the Native American 40 Under 40 award winners. The awards reception will take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 24 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

To talk about the 40 Under 40 program - which just welcomed its 18th class - we invited the two members of our staff who are also proud alumni. National Center Chief of Staff Erin Abrahamson and Director of Strategic Partnerships E. Skye Byrd sat down with Yvette Fielder to talk about 40 Under 40, what it means to them, and share a bit of their life story.

Learn more about Erin and Skye, and if you're in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks, make sure to meet them and the hundreds of 40 Under 40 alumni who will be in attendance and celebrate with them on Tuesday night!

We are taking a short break in Native Edge programming until after RES. However, we are planning to record several interviews at RES, just outside the trade show floor near the headshot lounge. Stop by to listen to listen to the podcast in person!

Native American 40 Under 40 Program |
https://ncaied.org/what-we-do/40-under-40.html

Erin Abrahamson |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-abrahamson-2b923713b/

E. Skye Byrd |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emerald-byrd/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

In the latest episode, Chris and Yvette visit the Western Spirit Museum in Scottsdale for a conversation with museum CEO Todd Bankofier. Yvette recently joined the Board of the museum - billed as Scottsdale's Museum of the West - and has personal connections to the art and artists featured in its impressive building located in downtown Scottsdale.

Todd shared his story of going from ranching in Nevada, to DC politics, business, and for the last three years, CEO of the museum. The museum has an extensive collective of Native American art from Arizona and throughout the West and prides itself on inclusivity and telling an accurate story of all of the peoples who shaped western North America. It is also one of the first museums to earn affiliate status with the prestigious Smithsonian Institution.

If you're in the Phoenix area, make sure to stop by the museum - and tell them the Native Edge podcast sent you!

Plus, hear more about what's in store at RES and a great message from RES platinum sponsor, Aambé.

Todd Bankofier |
https://westernspirit.org/news/todd-bankofier/

Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West |
https://westernspirit.org/

Aambé |
https://www.aambe.com/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

Episode 43 features a very special guest - National Center Board Chairman Derrick Watchman. Chairman Watchman has served the organization for decades, and his involvement with The National Center goes back nearly 40 years, when he first attended the very first RES for the same reason that many people do - to find a job!

Derrick shares his story - a "Navajo from Navajo" who became a banker on the ground floor of the tribal gaming boom, Chief of Staff for multiple Navajo Nation Presidents, a Presidential appointee in the U.S. Department of Energy, Congressional candidate, and a widely respected business leader.

Derrick is fresh off testifying before the House Indian and Insular Affairs Committee regarding economic development programs in Indian Country. After listening to the podcast, you'll understand why the Committee wanted Derrick to testify.

In addition, Chris and Yvette talk about some of the latest developments at The National Center, including a new program, funded by the Administration for Native Americans, that seeks to improve tribal procurement systems. Plus, learn how our partner Aambé is building a movement to advance economic sovereignty in Indian Country.

You can watch the episode on YouTube, and don't forget to tell your friends to tune in!

Derrick Watchman |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-watchman-mba-434aba134/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |     

Any questions or comments please send here!

For Episode, 46 Chris and Yvette welcome OXDX founder Jared Yazzie to the Mesa studios. Jared shares his journey from an engineering student at the University of Arizona to finding his true passion in graphic arts and screen printing - and becoming one of Indian Country's most sought-after artists.

Learn more about some of Jared's collaborations and hear his advice for young artists trying to take the next step. And if you're in the Phoenix area, make sure to stop by his store in Tempe - or you can always shop online!

Make sure to check out the episode on our YouTube page (and see Jared's own design on the shirt he's wearing) and tell your friends!

Jared Yazzie |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-yazzie-49a249338/

OXDX |
https://www.oxdxclothing.com/

OXDX on Instagram |
https://www.instagram.com/oxdxclothing/

Support the show

Support The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development |
https://ncaied.org/get-involved/make-a-gift-today.html

Watch on YouTube |
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNationalCenter

This podcast is brought to you in part through the generous support of the Rich Davis and Tylynn Gordon Charitable Fund.

Stay Updated 👇👇
@NCAIED 📲 Web | Monthly Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram |YouTube | LinkedIn | X | TikTok |