Forging Pathways to Tribal Economic Sovereignty

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At Enkindle Capital, our legislative agenda is a bold blueprint for reclaiming indigenous economic power. We champion reforms that shatter colonial-era constraints, amplify tribal voices in global forums, and unlock capital flows tailored to sovereign needs. By partnering with tribal leaders and allies in Congress, we push for laws that prioritize jurisdiction, innovation, and intergenerational wealth. In 2025, as North America's economic landscape evolves, our priorities align with surging opportunities—from cross-border trade to land rematriation—ensuring tribal nations lead the charge.

 

Participation in USMCA Renewal Talks

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The upcoming 2026 joint review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—the successor to NAFTA—presents a pivotal moment to embed indigenous rights and trade freedoms into North America's economic framework. Enkindle Capital advocates for robust tribal participation in these talks, building on historic principles like the Jay Treaty to secure cross-border mobility for goods, services, and people. As domestic consultations launch across the three nations, we urge inclusion of indigenous stakeholders to address barriers that stifle tribal enterprises, from energy transport to resource management.

 

A key focus: dismantling financial hurdles that hinder tribal commerce. Non-indigenous financial institutions often refuse to offer mortgage loans in reservation communities, because in the event of default, commercial banks have no ability to recover property on those loans. Enkindle Capital works with borrowers to ensure access to mortgages for buying, building, or improving their homes—by uniquely collateralizing those loans subject to the Tribal Court of jurisdiction. We propose USMCA provisions that incentivize such sovereign-backed financing, fostering homeownership as a foundation for economic stability and trade resilience.

 

United Nations Member-State Status

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Tribal governments deserve a seat at the global table—not as NGOs, but as sovereign entities with enhanced standing. Enkindle Capital supports legislation affirming U.S. recognition of tribal nations' pursuit of formal United Nations observer or member-state status, enabling fuller participation in international dialogues on indigenous rights. This builds on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), now U.S. policy, to elevate tribal voices in forums shaping climate, trade, and human rights agendas.

 

Many Tribal Governments lack the corporate organizations that can be tasked with managing and aggressively growing their wholly-owned enterprises and instrumentalities. In these cases, Enkindle Capital can provide third-party management services to execute strategic business objectives set by the Tribal Council and Tribal regulators. Enhanced UN status would empower tribes to forge global partnerships, from sustainable resource deals to cultural exchanges, while safeguarding sovereignty.

 

Indian Bank Regulatory Act

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Enkindle Capital is a private equity holding company committed to empowering indigenous entrepreneurs who are launching on-reservation enterprises—particularly in industries where Tribal communities enjoy competitive advantages or unique market positions. We advocate for the Indian Bank Regulatory Act, a landmark framework modeled on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), to establish clear federal oversight for tribal-owned banks and financial institutions. This would streamline chartering, ensure compliance with sovereign lending practices, and attract private capital without eroding tribal control—unlocking billions for ventures in energy, mining, and beyond.By regulating tribal banks under a dedicated act, we address gaps in federal law that limit access to credit for on-reservation startups, fostering a new era of self-reliant indigenous finance.

 

Indian Land Restoration Act - 'Oneida Fix'

 

The 'Oneida Fix' within the proposed Indian Land Restoration Act seeks to rectify historic injustices by streamlining the return of ancestral lands to tribal title, drawing lessons from landmark Oneida Nation cases. Enkindle Capital backs this reform to amend the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, easing trust land acquisitions and quieting non-indigenous claims on disputed territories—much like the Supreme Court's rulings affirming aboriginal title in Oneida County v. Oneida Indian Nation. This legislation would accelerate rematriation, enabling tribes to leverage restored lands for eco-tourism, resource development, and community housing—directly fueling economic sovereignty.