Native Edge

Any questions or comments please send here!

We're back in our Mesa studio for Episode 31 of The Native Edge podcast, and Chris and Yvette welcome a special guest - Jason Chavez, Director of Tribal Affairs for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.

Jason has a background in voting and election administration, having previously served under then-Secretary of State Hobbs. We was also the voter outreach coordinator to his tribe, Tohono Oʼodham, for the Pima County, Arizona Recorder's Office. He discussed his passion for elections, as well as some of the major tribal initiatives and priorities at the Governor's office, including the groundbreaking "Turquoise Alert" system for MMIP in Arizona.

In addition, Chris and Yvette discussed some of the big things happening at The National Center, including the upcoming NEI in Bar Harbor, Maine (registration info, including virtual options, is below) and registration for the 2026 Reservation Economic Summit. Plus, be on the lookout for future episodes discussing our recent trade mission to New Zealand!

Thank for your listening - and please tell your friends!

Jason Chavez |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonnchavez520/

Governor's Office of Tribal Affairs |
https://gotr.azgovernor.gov/

Tribal Energy and Economic Futures Summit |
https://gotr.azgovernor.gov/gotr/tribal-energy-and-economic-futures-summit

Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day |
https://gotr.azgovernor.gov/gotr/indian-nations-and-tribes-legislative-day

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!

Congress is back from its August recess, so we thought it would be a great time to introduce our policy team!

Chris sat down with Kate Boyce and Ryan Seelau, who along with Dr. Ian Record lead The National Center's policy and advocacy efforts. Kate has worked for The National Center for decades, and has unmatched experience in and knowledge of Indian Country policy. Ryan is a recent addition to the team, after working on Indigenous issues in Arizona - and abroad.

You will learn more about The National Center's work in Washington, DC, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities in the Trump Administration and current Congress. They also discuss the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty, which has done great work to advocate - and educate about - Indian Country in the early days of the new administration.

Please take a listen - and share with your friends. As always, the episode will be on our YouTube channel. Click the links below to learn more about some of the topics discussed today.

Kate Boyce |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateboycereeder/

Ryan Seelau |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-seelau-jd-llm-sjd-6a2b28107/

The National Center's Policy Page |
https://ncaied.org/what-we-do/policy-advocacy.html

Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty |
https://coalitionfortribalsovereignty.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!

For episode 29, we welcome back Chef Denella Belin of Nella's Innovative Kreations for a first on The Native Edge - a cooking demonstration! Guest host Nicole Watson sat down with Chef Denella to talk about the growing food sovereignty movement and tips for incorporating Indigenous foods into your diet.

Later, we go in the kitchen with Chef Denella where she demonstrates how she creates three of her signature dishes: a cookie, blue corn mash, and blue corn nachos. Chef Denella features ingredients from several Indigenous-owned farms, which you can find linked below.

This is an episode that you will definitely want to watch on our YouTube channel so you can recreate these dishes at home. Thanks for tuning in - please subscribe and tell your friends!

Nella's Innovative Creations |
https://nellasinnovativekreations.com/

Bidii Baby Foods |
https://www.bidiibabyfoods.org/

Ramona Farms |
https://ramonafarms.com/

Blue Corn Custom Designs |
https://www.instagram.com/bluecorncustomdesigns/

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 in DC for Episode 28, where Chris chats with National Center Board Vice Chair Lillian Sparks Robinson. Chris and Lillian have known each other since they were both officials in the Obama Administration and continue to work together to move The National Center forward.

Lillian had a fascinating career before becoming the Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans - Miss Indian World, Georgetown Law, NCAI, ED of the National Indian Education Association, and volunteer on the Obama campaign and transition team. 

After the Administration, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting her own business, Wopila Consulting, LLC - named after the word for gratitude in Lakota. Lillian is also a Native American 40 Under 40 recipient and she remains heavily involved in the program. She is also one of the founders of the Indigenous Fashion Collective, which has its annual gala coming up in October (find out more in the link at the bottom).

We hope you enjoy this episode. Make sure to check it our on your YouTube page - and tell your friends to listen and download!

Wopila Consulting, LLC |
https://www.wopilallc.com/

Lillian's Bio on Our Board of Directors Page |
https://ncaied.org/who-we-are/board.html

The Indigenous Fashion Collective |
https://indigenousfashioncollective.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 continuing our series of interviews with leaders of Native organizations with an episode featuring Nicole Borromeo, President of the ANCSA Regional Association (ARA). Nicole and Chris caught up in our DC office while they were both in town for advocacy meetings.

Nicole shared her extensive background in Alaska Native issues, including serving as general counsel for the Alaska Federation of Natives and working for Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Bryce Edgmon - the first Alaska Native Speaker in the state's history. 

Nicole joined the ANCSA Regional Association in June, where she works with the 12 Alaska Native Regional Corporations (ANCs) created by the landmark 1972 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Nicole ensures ANCs speak with a united voice on regional concerns, and plays a key role in preserving, strengthening - and often explaining - Alaska's unique model of tribal sovereignty and economic self-determination.

Give the episode a listen - and tell your friends!

ANCSA Regional Association |
https://ancsaregional.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 are joined by Quinton Carroll, Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association. Quinton is the last in a series of interviews we conducted from our Washington, DC office in May, and he's a fitting guest as NACA also shares office space in the Indian Gaming Association's headquarters.

Quinton shared stories of growing up in the northernmost city in the United States - Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow) - as the son of the first Executive Director of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commissioner and a "cowboy from Wyoming." Quinton has also worked in the Department of Interior and for Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and now leads the organization that advocates for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian contractors - a vitally important part of Indian Country's economy.

The National Center and NACA have collaborated closely together over the years and it was great to learn more about Quinton and their work. We hope you give it a listen - and please tell your friends!

Quinton Carroll |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinton-uksi-carroll-157474a1/

Native American Contractors Association |
https://nativecontractors.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!

For Episode 25, Chris and Yvette interviewed Corey Blankenship, Executive Director of NAFOA. This episode is the second of three we recorded from our Washington, DC office in May.

Cory and Chris have known each other for decades, both hailing from Cherokee, NC - home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Cory shared his story, starting with working in finance for his tribe to leading a national organization that focuses on growing tribal economies by strengthening tribal finance. He was also an advocate at a young age, traveling to Washington, DC in high school to testify in support of legislation that enabled a land swap that allowed EBCI to build a new school.

Give it a listen - and tell your friends! Thank you for tuning in.

NAFOA |
https://nafoa.org/

Cory Blankenship |
https://nafoa.org/about/team/cory/

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 24 is the first of three interviews from The National Center's Washington, DC office, conducted over several days in May. And it just happens to be with the executive director of the organization (Indian Gaming Association) that owns our office space! 

Chris sat down with Jason Giles to learn more about his story - from growing up in "sleep farm town" as the son of a CIA analyst father and Attorney General of the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma mother, to offensive lineman at West Point, to Marine, to attorney, and finally to running one of Indian Country's most important trade associations.

Jason also shares the story of IGA's office space, which was the home of the first Librarian of Congress and at one time the tallest building in Washington, DC. As Jason said, it is "Indian Country's building" and any tribal member visiting DC should stop by. Plus, you'll get the perspective on how the city has changed over the years, shared by someone raised in the DMV.

We hope you enjoy this episode - and please tell your friends and colleagues!

Indian Gaming Association |
https://indiangaming.org/

About the Indian Gaming Association's office building |
https://indiangaming.org/conference-center/

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 Episode 23 we welcome Chef Denella Belin, Owner of Nella's Innovative Kreations in the Phoenix area. Nella's is a catering service that integrates Denella's Navajo heritage and professional culinary training. It also offers cooking classes and private dinners.

Chris and guest host Nicole Watson from The National Center's tourism team chatted with Denella about her career, including being the only Native American chef in her class at the famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. As she was ready to launch Nella's, Project DreamCatcher at ASU was instrumental in getting her business off the ground.

We hope you take a listen - and if you're in the Phoenix area, give Nella's a taste - and tell your friends!

Nella's Innovative Kreations |
https://nellasinnovativekreations.com/

Project DreamCatcher |
https://thunderbird.asu.edu/lifelong-learning/entrepreneurship/dream-catcher

Documentary "What Dreams May Come" | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Ae8fNLFtI

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 22 - actor Martin Sensmeier! You may know Martin from productions like The Magnificent Seven, West World, or 1883, and soon you can watch him on Season Two of The Terminal List.

Chris first met Martin in 2020 when he keynoted the Reservation Economic Summit, and he joined us as a guest at RES 2025. In the episode, Martin shares more about his career journey, from a welder and roustabout working for Doyon Drilling in interior Alaska to a sought-after actor collaborating with some of the most famous names in Hollywood.

We hope you enjoy learning more about Martin - and please share with your friends!

Martin Sensmeier |
https://www.instagram.com/martinsensmeier

NEI Cherokee, NC |
https://ncaied.org/events/event/2025/05/08/native-edge-institutes-cherokee-nc/518901

NEI Milwaukee, WI |
https://ncaied.org/events/event/2025/05/22/native-edge-institutes-milwaukee-wi/518902

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 |