The National Indian Business Association (NIBA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established in 1992 to assist in the advancement of Native business development by providing information, programs, and services specifically designed to address the unique needs of American Indian and Alaskan Native business owners, entrepreneurs and governments. The NIBA headquarters is located in Washington, DC and operates under the auspices of an eighteen member Board of Directors, representing tribally and individually owned enterprises nation-wide, from small retail operations to large corporations.

NIBA was created to fill an institutional void which has hindered Indian economic development and slowed the Native American community�s growth. Until NIBA�s formation, there was no specific group organized on a national level focusing exclusively on Indian economic and business development concerns, notwithstanding the fact that American Indian and Alaskan Natives are among the most economically disadvantaged citizens in our nation. Prior to NIBA�s evolvement, there had been virtually no input in the decision making process from those most directly affected by policies and decisions affecting Indian business interests. In addition, there had been no direct channel for information back to the Indian business community about programs, policies, decisions, legislation, or activities which directly affect their interests.

Today, NIBA serves and represent approximately 24,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native businesses. NIBA is working hard to expand economic and business opportunities for American Indian and Alaskan Natives, and is confident that this is a reasonable goal, given our strong national economy and provided the necessary tools are at our disposal. Foremost among these necessary tools is NIBA�s specialized knowledge and expertise in the area of Indian economic and business development.

Indian economic development is unlike any other in the United States. American Indian, Alaskan Native and tribal governments operate under a distinct sovereign body of law. These laws outline special rules and procedures that do not apply in any other context. Additionally, there are certain social and economic conditions in Indian Country peculiar to Tribal communities. NIBA not only understands these factors, but also understands how to achieve success in the specialized context of Indian economic development. Moreover, NIBA has created the organizational structure and communication system essential to advancing the goals of its constituency. Accordingly, during a relative short existence, NIBA has gained national recognition as one of Indian Country�s most important organizations.