USET’s Office of Economic Development welcomes you to join us in starting an important new project aimed at promoting a strong and healthy economy for USET Tribal Nations. As part of our updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) plan to help rebuild and grow different areas of Tribal economies, we are creating working groups that will work on key economic areas. This meeting will be focused on creative industries and entrepreneurship.

This effort will provide an important opportunity for Tribal leaders, Tribal economic developers and staff, and community stakeholders to discuss engaging with creative innovators, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are actively shaping vibrant creative economies in Native communities. “Creatives” in this context includes artists, crafters, designers, inventors, innovators, storytellers, performers, and other culture bearers whose work reflects and sustains cultural identity and economic resilience. By participating in this working group session, you will gain insights into the emerging ideas and practical strategies that support economic development through creative industries rooted in tradition, innovation, and community values.

We are excited to invite you to the kickoff meeting for the Creative Economies Working Group. This project aims to discuss innovative opportunities, support up and coming creative industries, and provide helpful resources to build creative economies. We look forward to your participation in this first step toward creating solutions that will make a real difference.

When: September 17 at 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Central/2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Tribal leaders, Tribal economic developers and staff, and community stakeholders, creative entrepreneurs, artists, crafters, designers, inventors, innovators, storytellers, performers, and other culture bearers

Kickoff Meeting Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions – Meet fellow participants and key stakeholders.
• Project Overview – Understanding the initiative’s objectives and expected outcomes.
• Resource Overview – Presentation of available tools and support structures.
• Identifying Needs – Open floor for participants to share insights and requirements.
• Next Steps and Timeline – Set milestones and action items for the coming months, and discuss roles and responsibilities.

Registration is open!

Questions? Please contact Brenna Ortiz, Project Admininstrator, at bortiz@usetinc.org.