Tribal Business Certificate

Tribal Busieness Certificate, mural by artist Christopher Sweet

Fridays, October 17 - November 14 | 9 AM - 12 PM CT

Virtual via Zoom

Business and Leadership

Tribal Business Certificate Header Mural by artist Christopher Sweet

Bridges Cultures. Build Opportunity. Do Business Better.

Fridays, October 17 - November 14, 2025 | 9 AM - 12 PM CT | Virtual via Zoom

Certificate Description- The Tribal Business Certificate is a four-part virtual program designed to help participants build respectful, effective, and informed business relationships with Wisconsin's Tribal Nations. Through a combination of expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive activities, attendees will explore tribal history, sovereignty, economic systems, entrepreneurship, and access to capital. This program is ideal for professionals seeking to bridge cultures, create opportunity, and do business better through authentic partnership and deeper understanding.

Who Should Take This Certificate Program?

Professionals and entrepreneurs interested in partnering with or doing business in Indian Country
Tribal members seeking to grow businesses or strengthen intertribal networks
Government or nonprofit employees who work with tribal communities or want to deepen their cultural and economic understanding
Corporate or institutional leaders aiming to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion through authentic engagement
Educators and students interested in exploring Indigenous governance, policy, or business ecosystems

Registration Information

Special Offer:

FREE 1-year American Indian Chamber of Commerce Membership upon completion of the certificate (A $100 Individual Membership Value).

Package Deals Available for businesses with multiple registrations: August 1-October 1, 2025.
After Oct. 1 sign-up for the certification will still be available, but participant will not receive a Chamber Membership.

Click Here to Learn More about AICCW Chamber and Membership Options.

Registration Fees |

$325 - Professional

$299 - Non-Profit/UWSP Faculty & Staff

Schedule

Session 1: Understanding Wisconsin Tribal Nations — History, Sovereignty & Structure

NOTE: This session begins at 8:30 a.m. for introductions.

Presenters: Amanda White Eagle & Kevin Chesnik

Date: October 17, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 12 PM CT

Learning Objectives: Build Cultural Understanding

Gain a deeper awareness of Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized tribal nations, their histories, and governance structures.
Learn how sovereignty and self-determination shape modern tribal communities and decision-making.
Discover how to build partnerships rooted in respect, awareness, and trust.

Amanda L. White Eagle

Amanda L. White Eagle, with nearly twenty years of tribal law experience, provided advice and counsel to the Ho-Chunk Nation government. She previously served as a judicial officer (an Interim Chief Judge and Associate Judge), as well as the tribe’s Attorney General and Executive Director for the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice.  She is admitted to the Ho-Chunk Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the United States Supreme Court Bar, and the Federal Bar Association.  Additionally, she serves as a tribal court judge or justice, to tribal governments throughout the United States, including the Wampanoag Judiciary, Prairie Island  Indian Community Court of Appeals, Santee Sioux Nation Judiciary, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.  She served as the NYU-Yale American Indian Sovereignty Project Clinical Fellow. Presently, she is the Director of the Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center at the University of Wisconsin Law School. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with liberal arts degrees (a B.A. in Anthropology and French as well as a Certificate in American Indian Studies). She attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating with a juris doctor degree.

Kevin Chesnik

An Oneida Enrolled Tribal member, Mr. Chesnik has more than forty years of experience in business development, transportation engineering, transit, and public policy analysis. The past 5 years Kevin spent 3 years as the strategic initiatives advisor to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authrity (MBTA) Capital Program Chief and 2 years as a VP with Bloom Companies. He has developed skills ranging from technical transportation expertise, transit program management, DBE/DEI expertise, staff supervision, and leadership experience in both WisDOT and MBTA. Kevin’s work in Indian Country includes developing policy for WIsDOT to further tribal relations, working on national projects for NCHRP safety research in Indian Country and BIA related transportation projects for all Federally recognized tribes.

Session 2: Economic Drivers — Gaming, Employment Rights, and Intertribal Systems

Presenters: Amanda White Eagle & Bill Cornelius

Date: October 24, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 12 PM CT

Part 1: Economic Drivers — Gaming & Intertribal Collaboration
Part 2: Workforce Rights & TERO

Learning Objectives: Explore Economic and Legal Systems

Understand how gaming, employment rights, and intertribal systems drive economic growth in tribal communities.
Learn how Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances (TERO) advance hiring equity and protect Native workforce rights.
Examine how tribal nations reinvest in infrastructure, health, and education through their business enterprises.

Amanda L. White Eagle

Bill Cornelius

William Cornelius is a Director at Baker Tilly. William is an enrolled citizen of Oneida Nation. William has worked with tribal governments since 2004. William's experience includes practicing regulatory gaming law for tribal gaming commissions. William regularly provides gaming commission trainings for the Indian Gaming Association and the National Tribal Gaming Commissioners and Regulators Association. William advises tribes and tribal entities on diversifying tribal resources through energy development, utilization of tax credits, real estate, agriculture and retail opportunities. William is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin and New Mexico. Prior to attending law school, William worked for the Indian Community School of Milwaukee.

Session 3: Building Relationships — Community Voices, Partnerships & Trust (Panel Discussion)

Date: November 7, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 12 PM CT

Learning Objectives: Hear Real Stories and Build Relationships

Listen to Native entrepreneurs, workforce development leaders, and non-profit leaders share how they've built businesses and partnerships across cultures.
Explore how identity, tradition, and community shape Indigenous business values.
Walk away with relationship-building strategies that go beyond contracts—and build real trust.

	Rubina Martini Rubina “Rue” Martini is a multidisciplinary creative director and entrepreneur in Central Wisconsin. Her work spans various disciplines including community engagement, event planning, curation and storytelling, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and identity. Rue is the owner of PROCESS and co-owns Tomorrow River Homestead. Rue is a Báxoje citizen (Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska) as well as Omaha of Nebraska and ᏣᎳᎩ (Cherokee Nation); she has served on her tribes powwow committee since 2022. Rubina is the President of the Village of Nelsonville and one of the founding members of the Nelsonville Water Committee. She is currently chair of the Parent Circle at Tomorrow River Community Charter School and a founding board member of Central Sands Community Charter School. Accolades over the last couple years include the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin [AROW] Outstanding Achievement in Waste Reduction & Recycling, two national Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grants as well as a Wisconsin Humanities Opportunity Grant. Creative accomplishments over the last year include hosting Hi’kigowi \| We Feast Together, Create Community Wisconsin Podcast, and the Riverflow Gathering. You can find more about their work at rubinamartini.com.
	Becky Albert-Breed Becky in an enrolled tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She holds a bachelor degree in accounting from UW-Milwaukee and a MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. Prior work experience include CPA firm, auditing, and Ho-Chunk Nation financial positions include Treasurer, Business Finance Director, and Legislative Financial Examiner. Becky has served as founder, Chairperson, and Executive Director over Cedar Growth/First Nations Community Financial (FNCF), a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2011. Our organization is designed to help natives and surrounding communities’ access funds for personal growth such as home ownership, small business, investing and personal finance. She has her own accounting firm, Integrity Audit & Tax since 2022.
	Crystal Chevalier Crystal Chevalier has been with the Wolf River Development Company since June 2022 in the role of Chief Executive Officer, she is a graduate of the College Menominee Nation with Associate Degrees in Sustainable Development and Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Native American Studies. Her Bachelor's degree is from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, in Environmental Policy and Planning, with an emphasis in Project Planning. Crystal completed her education with a Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. Crystals professional career began at the University Wisconsin where she started as an Affirmative Action Intern and worked her way to an Educator and later Co-Department Head. Crystal transitioned to positions within the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin including serving professionally as the Community Development Director and Executive Director, and as an elected official for two terms as a Menominee Tribal Legislature. As a Menominee Tribal Legislature Mrs. Chevalier served as the Menominee Tribal Vice-Chairwoman and Secretary, and as the Chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Gaming Board for five years. Currently Crystal serves as Board of Trustees Member for the College of Menominee Nation. She has been honored to be recognized by the National Center for American Indian Economic Development as a 40 Under 40 Award recipient, and by the University of Wisconsin as an Outstanding Woman of Color in Education. In her home life Crystal is married to Michael and together they have two daughters. In her free time Crystal enjoys family time especially when it includes her hobbies of bingo, golfing, and supporting Indian Gaming.
	Kevin Chesnik An Oneida Enrolled Tribal member, Mr. Chesnik has more than forty years of experience in business development, transportation engineering, transit, and public policy analysis. The past 5 years Kevin spent 3 years as the strategic initiatives advisor to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authrity (MBTA) Capital Program Chief and 2 years as a VP with Bloom Companies. He has developed skills ranging from technical transportation expertise, transit program management, DBE/DEI expertise, staff supervision, and leadership experience in both WisDOT and MBTA. Kevin’s work in Indian Country includes developing policy for WIsDOT to further tribal relations, working on national projects for NCHRP safety research in Indian Country and BIA related transportation projects for all Federally recognized tribes.

Session 4: Moving Forward — CDFIs, Business Tools & Creating Opportunity

Presenters: Becky Albert & Kevin Chesnik

Date: November 14, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 12 PM CT

Learning Objectives: Take Action with Tools, Resources & Relationships

Learn how Native-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) support Native entrepreneurs and drive economic growth.
Explore real-world success stories and discover how to access funding, mentorship, and business development support.
Connect with fellow participants, presenters, and tribal business leaders to expand your professional network.
Leave with actionable next steps—and the tools and contacts to keep building opportunity in Indian Country.

Becky Albert-Breed

Becky in an enrolled tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She holds a bachelor degree in accounting from UW-Milwaukee and a MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. Prior work experience include CPA firm, auditing, and Ho-Chunk Nation financial positions include Treasurer, Business Finance Director, and Legislative Financial Examiner.
Becky has served as founder, Chairperson, and Executive Director over Cedar Growth/First Nations Community Financial (FNCF), a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2011. Our organization is designed to help natives and surrounding communities’ access funds for personal growth such as home ownership, small business, investing and personal finance. She has her own accounting firm, Integrity Audit & Tax since 2022.

Kevin Chesnik

Testimonials

"This certificate program was beneficial in learning about Wisconsin Tribal Nation's governments, businesses, and the American Indian Chamber of Commerce-Wisconsin. I would recommend this certificate to anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of how to work with Wisconsin Tribal Nations and be a good collaborative partner in the state." -Fall 2024 participant

"The speakers were knowledgeable and shared real world advice that I can directly apply to my work. I appreciated the focus on building strong relationships with tribal governments and understanding the unique aspects of tribal business practices. I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in working more effectively with tribal communities." -Spring 2025 participant

‭(Hidden)‬ Click Here to Meet Our Presenters

Christy Jackson

Christy Jackson is the State Tribal Affairs Program Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). In this role, she leads government-to-government relations and communications with the 11 federally recognized tribes of Wisconsin to foster and support current and future land and economic development. Previously, Christy was the Business Development Executive for a tribally owned construction company that managed state and federal projects. For more than 11 years she has worked with tribal governments, businesses, programs and organizations. Christy is an enrolled tribal member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and a first descendant of the Lac du Flambeau Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Christy studied Business Management at UW-Stout and Marketing at Nicolet and Madison colleges. She served in the U.S. Army and is also active with the VFW/American Legion doing Honor and Color Guards, fundraising, and PTSD awareness. Christy currently resides in Lodi with her son.

Kimberlee McGeshick

Kimberlee McGeshick, a member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community residing in Mole Lake, Wisconsin, is a dedicated mother of three, grandmother of three, and an active volunteer within her tribe and county. With over 30 years of service to the Mole Lake Casino and Sokaogon Chippewa Community, she has also served as a Tribal AmeriCorps member for four years and contributed to the Forest County Prevention Week Committee and Community Coalition of Forest County for six years. A 2023 graduate of Nicolet Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management, Kimberlee is the 2023-2024 WTCS Student Ambassador for Nicolet Technical College. Since 2016, she has actively participated in the Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), becoming a board member in 2022 and, in 2023, advancing to the role of Executive Director. Her leadership, dedication, and community focus continue to make a meaningful impact.

Apache Danforth, an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin, is an accomplished entrepreneur and independent consultant, leading Good Words Travel LLC and Good Words Consulting, LLC, specializing in public relations, tourism development, strategic planning, project management, and business development. With years of hands-on experience and dedicated service to Tribal governments and leaders, Apache has held pivotal roles, including Public Relations professional for the Oneida Nation and Executive Director for Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), where she collaborated with Wisconsin's 11 sovereign Nations and Tribes across the U.S. Her efforts have promoted culturally appropriate marketing initiatives on local, national, and international platforms. Apache resides on the Oneida Nation reservation near Green Bay, WI, with her children, grandchildren, and significant other, Brian.

Adam J. Skenandore is the president of ANASA Traffic Control Services, LLC, which he founded in late 2021. His interest in the traffic control industry began in 2009 when he started as a traffic tech/flag person for a large utilities installation company. Through years of hard work and a willingness to listen and learn, he advanced to General Manager, overseeing operations in Wisconsin. Adam’s experience spans traffic control management on major WisDOT projects to smaller flagging and traffic control operations for the gas and electric utilities sector. With over 15 years of expertise, he continues to grow all aspects of his business while developing innovative ways to enhance safety. Outside of work, Adam enjoys coaching his son’s baseball and football teams, exploring the history of his Native American culture, and spending quality time with his family.

Kevin Chesnik is an Oneida Enrolled Tribal member, Mr. Chesnik has more than forty years of experience in business development, transportation engineering, transit, and public policy analysis. Kevin has recently spent 3 years as the strategic initiatives advisor to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authrity (MBTA) Capital Program Chief. He is a VP with Bloom Companies and has developed skills ranging from technical transportation expertise, transit program management, DBE/DEI expertise, staff supervision, and leadership experience in both WisDOT and MBTA. Kevin's work in Indian Country includes developing policy for WIsDOT to further tribal relations, working on national projects for NCHRP safety research in Indian Country and BIA related transportation projects for all Federally recognized tribes

Joseph Decorah brings over 35 years of experience in Indian gaming and business development to GLI. As a Government Relations Executive, he identifies opportunities, builds strong relationships, and develops strategic initiatives to drive success across the organizations he engages with. Before joining GLI, Decorah worked as a Business Developer for Wipfli LLP, specializing in AML/BSA and Title 31 compliance. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Indian gaming industry. A tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, he has held various roles within Ho-Chunk Gaming, including security guard, table games dealer, floor supervisor, pit boss, games trainer, and casino shift manager. In addition, Decorah served as the Executive Director of Business for the Ho-Chunk Nation and chaired the Ho-Chunk Gaming Commission for four years. In his role at the Commission, he was responsible for upholding the integrity and safety of gaming operations. As an independent regulatory authority, he oversaw compliance with tribal laws, state gaming regulations, company policies, and internal controls. Decorah studied Business Management at the University of Phoenix.

About the Mural Artist

Christopher Sweet, Ho-Chunk/White Earth Ojibwe, was born in Wisconsin and lives in the Wisconsin Dells area. He studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M., and has exhibited work in solo and multi-artist shows. His commissioned works have been featured in printed materials and hang in corporate spaces, educational institutions, medical facilities and private collections throughout Wisconsin and the United States. In 2021, he was one of several artists commissioned for a mural initiative, “Paint the County."

Acknowledgement

This certificate program is a partnership between the American Indian Chamber of Commerce and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Continuing Education Department.

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, Inc. (AICCW) was formed in 1991 to advocate for, provide access to, and deliver business, community and economic development resources, tools, and networks to Wisconsin's Native Nations, entrepreneurs, and Tribal Enterprises. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization, the AICCW is committed to being a resource for building wealth in Wisconsin Indian Country. To learn more please visit us at https://aiccw.org/

The pandemic disproportionately impacted Native Nations located in Wisconsin, AICCW member Native-owned businesses as well as the AICCW itself. The pandemic also increased understanding and amplified recognition of systemic barriers, inequity and disparities experienced by Tribes and Tribal Members located in Wisconsin. The AICCW was pleased to receive a Diverse Business Assistance Grant designed to provide funding to assist chambers and non-profit organizations providing assistance to small businesses owned by individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This workshop series is being supported, in part, by American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin via the Wisconsin Department of Administration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Cancellation Policy

Full refunds granted upon receipt of written request to uwspceweb@uwsp.edu when received 14 days before the start date of each individual workshop. No refunds will be given if cancellation is received less than 14 days before the workshop. Substitutions can be made at any time, but no shows will be responsible for the full certificate program fee.

Continuing Education and Outreach

​​Bridges Cultures. Build Opportunity. Do Business Better.

Fridays, October 17 - November​ 14, 2025 | 9 AM - 12 PM CT | Virtual via Zoom