LibGuides: Native American Heritage Month 2024: Resources and Recommendations

Local Native American - Owned Businesses

Check out these local Native American-Owned Businesses!

After several years of running the concessions at the Gathering at the Falls PowWow, Jenny Slagle and her family opened Indigenous Eats, which features her mother's frybread recipe.

Location: 829 E. Boone Ave. Spokane, WA 99201

Jenny Slagle | Yakama Nation | Restaurateur/Entrepreneur/Food Security Advocate | Winds of Change

Jenny Slagle owns Indigenous Eats and is affiliated with the Yakama Nation

Sister Sky Incorporated

Sister Sky Inc. is an SBA-certified 8(a), Native American, economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business (EDWOSB) dedicated to delivering empowerment and enrichment services to Native American and disadvantaged communities through culturally-conscious training, technical assistance, event management, and communications.

Location: 55 Lincoln Rd suite 102-103, Spokane, WA, 99208

The Sister Sky Team | Sister Sky, Inc.

Marina TurningRobe started Sister Sky in 1999 with her sister Monica Simeon, both enrolled citizens of the Spokane Tribe.

Elk Soup

Elk Soup is a Native-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Native families and communities. They believe in the strength and resilience of Native peoples and are committed to fostering self-reliance through our comprehensive workshops, classes, and programs.

Location: 11921 N Washington Ct. Spokane, WA 99218

Jeff Ferguson (@jfergusonphotos) • Instagram photos and videos

Jeff Ferguson is affiliated with the Spokane Tribe and is the Executive Director of Elf Soup

Brave Soap Company

Motivated by the environmental impact of plastic waste, Nicole Braswell creates plastic-free bar soaps and other eco-friendly and effective products. Brave offers a variety of products, including vegan options, tallow, and goat’s milk soaps. Their best-sellers include locally inspired body bars with scents like Lilac City, PNW Forest, Huckleberry, and Garbage Goat, reflecting the essence of Spokane.

Location: River Park Square 808 W. Main Ave Ste. 251 Spokane, WA

Nicole Braswell is associated with the Fort Peck Tribe and is the owner of Brave Soap Company

Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino

"Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Spokane Tribe of Indians and is part of our gaming family along with Mistequa Casino Hotel. For the Spokane Tribe, Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino represents our culture, our commitment, and our community. We commit to the Spokane Tribe’s vision of attaining self-sufficiency by promising generational sustainability, honoring our past and protecting our future."

Location: 14300 W SR-2 HWY, Airway Heights, WA, 99001

Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino Logo

No Transportation? Ride the Bus!

All student and employee Zagcards function as an unlimited Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus pass. Just swipe your Zagcard in the fare box next to the bus driver and ride as much as you want free of charge!

For more information on bus routes near the Gonzaga campus please click here

For more information on Spkane Transit buses please click here

Local Native American Organizations

Spokane Tribe of Indians

"To achieve true sovereignty by attaining self-sufficiency. We will preserve and enhance our traditional values by living and teaching the inherent principles of respect, honor, and integrity as embodied in our language and life-ways. We will develop strong leadership through education, accountability, experience, and positive reinforcement."

Spokane Indian Community Center

"The American Indian Community Center was founded in 1967 as a social gathering place for Indian and Native American people who lived in the Spokane area. Since 1967 AICC has become a comprehensive social service agency serving American Indian/Alaskan Natives and all other racial groups by providing Employment and Training Services, which attempts to match programs and resources for the individual client’s needs. We also offer Indian Child Welfare services or families who are in danger of losing their children to Child Protective Services."

Support Gonzaga's Native American Community

Office of Tribal Relations

The Office of Tribal Relations invites the University into its mission by building a practice of seeing through relationships and the collaborative cultivation of tribes’ communities and cultures via dialogue. This intentional and relational work begins with Native students and extends throughout the campus community and into the many sovereign nations from which Gonzaga’s Native students originate and preserve.  

Check out the Gonzaga University Events page for Native American Heritage Month -related events occurring on campus: Gu Events Page

Watch out for more Native American Heritage Month-related events on UMEC's website: GU UMEC Website

Visit the Zagtivities page for student-led events on Native American Heritage Month: GU Zagtivities Page