About NCAIED
History of the NCAIED
In 1969, a small group of seven American Indian community leaders visualized the alleviation of many American Indian problems through improved economic conditions. These dynamic individuals, based in Los Angeles, California combined their efforts to start a grass roots economic development organization. Dedicated to assisting American Indian economic and enterprise development, their activities originally concentrated on urban populations of American Indians in California. Fittingly, they named the organization “UIDA” which stood for the Urban Indian Development Association.
Our early successes working with both government agencies and corporations led to expansion of services as well as innovative partnerships. For example, the “Council of Ten” that was formed by Joe Angello of Bank of America in the early 1970’s served as the forerunner to the current National Resource Council. Council members supply time, resources and financial support to facilitate our mission.
UIDA underwent a name change in the late 1980’s. Working with several influential U.S. senators, The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development was born. The name change was reflective of the expanding scope of work and changing nature of our role in urban and reservation-based business development. During the same time frame, the organization moved from California to Arizona and now owns a 10,000 square foot building in Mesa, Arizona which currently serves as the corporate headquarters.
Throughout the years, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) has always evolved to meet the growing needs of the American Indian business community. One area that we continue to develop is our events. The National Center produces six signature events annually with the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) & American Indian Business Trade Fair being the premier event. RES is the largest and longest running American Indian business event in the nation.
Since our inception we have worked with approximately 80% of the tribes and assisted over 25,000 Indian Enterprises while training over 10,000 tribal members in various aspects of business development. In total, we have helped our clients obtain over $4.5 billion in contracts and financing.
After four decades, the NCAIED, a national 501(C)(3) non-profit American Indian economic and business development organization, commands a strong position in Indian Country. We are the largest and longest standing American Indian economic and business development organization in the nation.
Created by American Indians in 1969 and led by American Indians throughout its history, we were then – as we are now, the first national organization solely dedicated to developing American Indian economic self-sufficiency through business ownership. The tribal values and the vision of our elders that created this great organization continue today through our programs. Our work significantly contributes to leadership, small business and economic development for Indian Country.
NCAIED Timeline
| 1969 | The organization was conceptualized by a group of seven American Indians in Los Angeles, California was originally named the Urban Indian Development Association (UIDA). |
| 1970 | UIDA officially incorporated and changed its name from Urban to United Indian Development Association to reflect its expanding scope of work. |
| 1970’s | Council of Ten formed by Joe Angello of Bank of America. This was the forerunner to the current National Resource Council of today. |
| 1970’s | Indian Progress in Business (INPRO) the annual award celebration and student scholarship program was developed. |
| 1972 | Minority Business Development Association (MBDA) Indian Business Development Center contract awarded to UIDA. |
| 1980 | Reservation Economic Summit (RES) the largest American Indian business conference and American Indian Trade Fair was developed. |
| 1987 | Organization moved to Tempe, Arizona. |
| 1988 | Department of Defense’s American Indian Procurement Technical Assistance Center contract awarded to UIDA. This is now known as our Marketing & Procurement Services Program. |
| 1988 | Name change from UIDA to the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) to represent one national Indian business development organization. |
| 1990 | NCAIED purchases a 10,000 square foot building in Mesa, Arizona which remains its current headquarters. |
| 1990 | Small Business Association’s American Indian Women’s Project awarded to NCAIED. |
| 1998 | Small Business Association’s Native American Business Consultant contract awarded to NCAIED. |
| 2000 | UIDA Consulting Group (UCG), a for profit subsidiary of UIDA, is awarded the Department of Defense’s American Indian Procurement Technical Assistance contract to cover the eastern U.S. |
| 2002 | UIDA Business Services established as a separate non-profit corporation and opens its office in Atlanta, Georgia. |
| 2003 | Department of Transportation’s TTAP program awarded to NCAIED. |
| 2006 | PLAINS, PAID and NWAID established as supporting non-profit programs of NCAIED and opens offices in Denver, Colorado; El Segundo, California and Lynwood, Washington respectively. |
