Wednesday, April 29, 2026 

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Welcome Networking Reception Hosted by IBA

All conference attendees arriving the day before the summit are welcome to attend our pre-event gathering held in the Nemadji River Halls 3 & 4 at Black Bear Casino. Drinks and appetizers served.

Thursday, April 30, 2026 Full-Day Public Summit

7:30 – 8:30 AM
Registration, Networking Breakfast and Exhibitor Hall Opens

Participants are invited to connect with tribal leaders, Indigenous businesses, government agencies, utilities, energy, transportation, and natural resource partners. Exhibitor booths will feature Indigenous enterprises and organizations engaged in long-term partnership, regional investment, and shared economic growth.

8:30 – 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremony: A Call to Act
Welcome to Indian Country

The Summit opens with a welcome grounded in place, culture, and responsibility. This opening ceremony sets expectations for respectful engagement, collaboration, and Indigenous-led approaches to economic and community development.

Morning General Sessions
Access, Infrastructure and Responsible Development

9:00 – 9:50 AM
Expanding Indigenous Contracting and Procurement
Opening Doors, Building Opportunity

This session explores how Indigenous businesses can access and grow contracting and procurement opportunities with state agencies, utilities, corporate buyers, and regional partners. Discussion will focus on transparent procurement processes, supplier diversity pathways, and capacity-building strategies that create consistent access to high-value markets while strengthening local and regional economies.

9:55 – 10:45 AM
Infrastructure and Transportation Leadership
Partnership at Scale

This session highlights Indigenous participation as both prime and subcontractors on large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects. The discussion will examine partnership models, early engagement, and collaboration across jurisdictions that lead to durable outcomes for communities and project partners.

10:45 – 11:15 AM
Networking Break and Exhibitor Engagement

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Clean Energy and Natural Resource Innovation
Stewardship, Sovereignty and Sustainable Development

This session showcases Indigenous leadership in renewable energy, natural resource management, and climate-responsive development. Participants will explore how economic growth can align with environmental responsibility, cultural values, and long-term stewardship while supporting community-driven energy and resource initiatives.

12:15 – 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch

Opportunity for continued conversations between tribal leaders, businesses, agencies, and industry partners.

Afternoon General Sessions
Influence, Workforce and Long-Term Impact

1:20 – 2:10 PM
Advocacy for Indigenous Operators
Visibility, Voice and Representation

This session focuses on strengthening Indigenous representation within economic development, infrastructure planning, and policy ecosystems. Discussion will explore how coordinated advocacy, coalition-building, and inclusion in decision-making processes help ensure Indigenous priorities shape regional development strategies.

2:15 – 3:05 PM
Workforce and Business Empowerment
Building Capacity for the Future

This session examines how workforce development, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, and training pipelines strengthen Indigenous businesses and communities. The focus is on aligning workforce strategies with real economic opportunities and preparing the next generation of Indigenous leaders, workers, and business owners.

3:10 – 4:10 PM
Closing Plenary: Community Investment and Legacy Building
Creating Shared Prosperity for Generations

The Summit concludes with a leadership dialogue centered on community investment, long-term economic strategy, and legacy building. This plenary connects business growth to reinvestment in people, place, and culture, highlighting how Indigenous-led economic development creates lasting benefits for communities and the broader region.

4:15 – 4:45 PM

Keynote Address - Anton Treuer

Indigenous Leadership, Language, and Responsibility to Future Generations

Anton Treuer will offer reflections on Indigenous leadership, the role of language and culture, and the responsibility leaders carry to build strong pathways for future generations. His remarks connect economic development, cultural resilience, and community well-being as interconnected foundations of long-term prosperity.

5:30 – 7:30 PM
Community Networking Reception

Participants are invited to continue conversations, build relationships, and connect with partners, sponsors, and exhibitors in an informal networking setting.

Friday, May 1, 2026

Procurement, Workforce, and Partnership in Action

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Networking Breakfast and Exhibitor Hall Opens

9:00 – 10:30 AM

Procurement, Supplier Diversity, and Partnership Conversations

Working sessions designed to help buyers, agencies, and Indigenous businesses continue conversations around contracting, supplier diversity, workforce development, and partnership opportunities, with a focus on next steps and practical pathways forward.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Open Networking and Business Matchmaking

One-on-one meetings and informal conversations focused on partnership development, follow-up discussions, and moving relationships toward action.