Our Mission
1st Sovereign Foundation exists to advance pathways to economic self-determination for Native American communities. Through culturally grounded education, relationship-based support, and strategic partnerships, we foster Indigenous entrepreneurship, capital access, and long-term prosperity rooted in sovereignty, kinship, and community values.
Our Focus
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We offer programs and support services that prepare Native entrepreneurs for capital readiness and long-term sustainability, including:
Business fundamentals workshops
Capital strategy planning
Investment readiness bootcamps, pitches, and founder showcases
Goal: Strengthen the pipeline of investable Indigenous businesses and equip founders with the tools to navigate capital ecosystems on their terms.
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We promote and build Indigenous-led solutions to access to capital through:
Education and activation of what Angel investing is, investment/equity education for founders
Research on Indigenous financial innovation
Goal: Normalize Native leadership in philanthropy and finance, and grow the visibility of community-aligned investment frameworks
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We elevate Indigenous metrics of success through:
Research on Native wealth creation, community reinvestment, and sovereign economic indicators (lofty goal, maybe we grow into this)
Public storytelling that challenges the current narratives
Launch a podcast for the storytelling of Indigenous Innovation Success!
Development of tools like the “Sovereign Value Index” or community accountability dashboards(lofty goal, maybe we grow into this)
Goal: Shift how impact is measured to reflect Indigenous worldviews and self-determined priorities.
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We collaborate with Tribes, nonprofits, academic institutions, foundations, and Native-led businesses to:
Co-create ecosystem maps/resource tools
Goal: Build regenerative economic ecosystems and build infrastructure for Indigenous wealth transfer across generations.
Values That Guide Our Work
Indigenous-Led: Centering Native voices in every aspect of decision-making.
Relationship-Driven: Built on trust, kinship, and long-term commitment.
Culturally Aligned: Grounded in traditional knowledge, community values, and Indigenous governance.
Systems-Oriented: Focused not just on individual businesses, but on changing the structures that shape Native access to opportunity.
Executive Team & Board
Nicole Johnny
Edith Baker
Tony Skrelunas
Darlene Gomez

