Native American

A Native American (or American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian) refers to an individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal peoples of the United States. This population is generally defined by their political, historical, and often spiritual relationship with the U.S. federal government, typically through status as a member of a federally recognized tribe.

In the context of business and contracting, this status is important for several programs:

Minority Business Enterprise (MBE): Native Americans are a recognized minority group, allowing businesses that are 51% owned and controlled by them to apply for MBE certification, providing access to corporate and government supplier diversity programs.

Federal Contracting: Businesses owned by Native Americans may also qualify for specialized federal programs or contracting preferences managed by agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) or the Indian Health Service (IHS), or through specific tribal entity preferences.

The certification (often through the National Minority Supplier Development Council or state agencies) is key to accessing these targeted opportunities.