High unemployment. Companies are
not hiring. People are unable to find jobs
to support their families. Sound familiar? It
may sound like 2009 but it was not. In the
1960s, the Cherokee people had few job
opportunities. Instead of seeking work in
other places, members of the Cherokee
Nation tribe became entrepreneurs. In
1969, the Cherokee Nation started its own
company to provide work for tribal people.
Cherokee Nation Industries has grown into a
multimillion dollar, diversified corporation.
The Goal—Job Creation and
Services
The original goal of Cherokee Nation
Industries was to use 100 percent of
company profits to create jobs and provide
services to Cherokee communities. Today, 30
percent of company profits directly support
Cherokee Nation government programs that
fund education, health care, social services,
and other programs. In addition, 70 percent
of the profits go to the Jobs-Growth fund,
which is used to reinvest in the business
enterprise to create more jobs for tribal
citizens.
Historically, the company was a
government contractor serving the aerospace
and defense industries. Today, the company
has diversified to include companies offering
telecommunications, staffing services, office
products, and construction management.
In 2007, Cherokee Nation Industries was
named one of the top diversified companies
by DiversityBusiness.com.
A Global Company
One of its divisions, Aerospace and
Defense, has contracts with Fortune 100
Department of Defense prime contractors,
some with operations on five continents.
Cherokee Nation Industries supplies parts
and aviation components to unmanned aerial
units, missiles, and NASA’s space program.
The company delivers many supply chain
advantages in order to ship products to these
locations throughout the world. Cherokee
Nation Industries has a long history of on
time delivery, a reputation for quality work,
and has been recognized by many of its
clients as a top aviation industry parts
manufacturer.
As a truly global company, the entire
Cherokee Nation Industries can show
others the way out of poor economic times.
By starting successful businesses and
continuing the tradition of entrepreneurship,
people can find work they enjoy and support
for their families.
The Cherokee Nation
A Nation of Entrepreneurs
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Courtesy Cherokee Nation Industries