The Consulting and Business Development Center (CBDC) leads the Foster School of Business’s work with Tribes and Tribal enterprises on business development. Since 2000, CBDC has partnered with Tribes and Tribal enterprises in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, as well as with Alaska Native corporations, intertribal organizations, and Native American nonprofit organizations.
CBDC’s work is guided by the Washington State & Tribes Centennial Accord. All programming is delivered at the request of Tribes and Tribal enterprises.
Current Engagement
UW Tribal Gaming and Hospitality Management Business Program
At the 2012 UW Tribal Leadership Summit, Virginia Cross, chairperson of the Muckleshoot Tribe, requested that the UW develop a program to strengthen the management skills of employees working in Tribal casinos and resorts. Since the program launched in 2015, 95 employees have completed this 10-credit course. Participants represent more than 12 Tribal nations. More than 70% of program graduates have received a promotion or raise within one year of completing the program. In 2019, the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) recognized the program as Education Program of the Year.
The curriculum continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of Tribal casinos and resorts. Curriculum and program delivery decisions are guided by the program’s Advisory Board.
Past Engagement
The Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), comprised of the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, and the Yakama Nation, was established to protect treaty-reserved rights and honor the sacred salmon heritage of its member Tribes. Through academic-year and summer internship projects, CBDC has supported CRITFC in developing a marketing plan for Columbia River salmon across multiple distribution channels.
What began as a relationship between the Yakama Nation and the UW Office of Educational Partnerships and Learning Technologies, now discontinued, developed into a broader partnership that included student consulting teams working with a range of businesses within the Yakama Nation.
This partnership began when the Colville Tribal Enterprise Corporation, now the Colville Tribal Federation Corporation, received the William Bradford Business of the Year Award in 2002. The CTEC Board President expressed interest in building a relationship to support the organization’s growth. The Tribe and the Foster School of Business subsequently signed an MOU outlining work in basic and advanced business education, strategic planning, and regional economic development planning.
Through this partnership, CBDC developed a customized executive education program for employees of the tribal enterprise and tribal government agencies. Interns also analyzed business performance, developed business plans for tribal enterprises and government agencies, facilitated basic financial management education, and created a business plan for the Colville Greenhouse.
CBDC supported the Tribe’s Economic Development Authority by providing interns to assess the feasibility of potential business acquisition opportunities.
CBDC completed a feasibility study for a new tribal enterprise.
The Tribe provided funding for the first Native American–sponsored scholarship at the Foster School of Business.
The Nisqually Tribe partnered with CBDC to co-sponsor the 2009 Certificate Program in Tacoma, which served tribal enterprise employees and other small business owners.
CBDC partnered with ONABEN to launch a business plan competition in 2010 for Native American entrepreneurs in Washington and Oregon.
Through relationships established in 2007, CBDC has placed Board Fellows on the boards of these organizations.
In the summer of 2010, an MBA intern worked with the Tribe to develop an e-commerce business that could build on the popularity of the Twilight books and films.
In the summer of 2010, an MBA intern analyzed the financial performance of several divisions of Quinault Pride Seafood, enabling the enterprise board to make key investment decisions.
CBDC completed a market study and business plan for a joint venture between this Alaska Native corporation and a tribe in Canada.
See more information on our current programs.
