Indigenous Business: A blend of culture and capitalism

Native Commerce News is sponsored by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO), dedicated to expanding Indian Country commerce across the globe.  

Written By Brittany Harlow

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) Capitalism, the system in which goods are owned privately by people and businesses, is believed to have been born sometime between the 16th and 18th centuries. As white settlers came to the land which would later be known as the United States of America, the global movement toward capitalism came with them, thrust upon the Indigenous people they found (whether they liked it or not). As modern people, the capitalist system is now widely embraced by many American Indians who own businesses in the U.S. 

American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma (AICCO) State Board President Bailey Walker currently operates three businesses: Tribal Diagnostics, LLC., Pureheart Ice, LLC. and Four Winds Strategy, LLC. 

“The idea of being a businessman has been with me since the day I was able to cut my first yard with my first gallon of gas and a mower,” Walker said. “I began that early on, knowing that a service creates money, which money creates the opportunity to buy something. And as a very poor kid, I realized that yeah, hard work pays. That's how I began to understand it.” 

But while American Indian businesspeople like Walker have adopted many of capitalism’s elements, such as generating profits, engaging in competition, prioritizing consumer needs, and maximizing efficiency, there are many cultural elements they have refused to let go. 

These cultural elements, collectively known as “Indigenous perspective”, include recognizing and respecting the importance of sustainability, community need, and traditions and customs. 

“Being a citizen of Chickasaw Nation, having grown up ceremonially and traditionally, has ingrained that cultural aspect in me and everything I do,” Walker said. “That's the number one thing that we begin to have respect for. We pray to the Creator, for example, at our (AICCO) dinners and other events.” 

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Walker said he also values and appreciates the concept of interconnectedness that is often associated with Indigenous perspective. 

“Living in Indian country, the heart of Indian country, Oklahoma, home to 39 robust nations, working together,” Walker said. “Embracing that connection often translates into increased benefits for all, beyond Oklahoma’s reservations and even the state’s borders. Other states and other nations like Australia and Canada, they're reaching and looking into what we are doing and how we're doing it. And we love to share what we’re doing, to help and maybe create some more opportunity.” 

Officially formed in Tulsa in October 1991 through a grant to the Indian Health Care Resource Center, AICCO promotes American Indian commerce in both the public and private sectors. Membership is open to Native and non-Native businesses and individuals as well as tribal entities, and benefits are available to all through chamber resources, training, and networking opportunities. 

AICCO has set a goal to surpass 500 members by the year’s end. Membership currently stands at 472.

Serving as AICCO State Board president since 2018, Walker said one of the things he loves most about the chamber is being around smart people that help him grow as a professional and as a person. 

“The main things I've learned throughout my career is to always listen, listen and listen,” Walker said. “Take good notes. Get around people smarter people than me. Educate myself from the past and be proactive about the future. Always stand up during an advocacy moment or supportive moment. Always stand for something.  There's a cliche that if you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything. And I believe that. We need to usher in opportunities to enhance the overall quality of life for others.” 

To learn more about AICCO, visit https://aiccok.org/