Last week, a second Native American-owned company revealed it had terminated a lucrative contract with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to community pressure. The subsidiary of Oneida ESC Group, a corporation owned by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, canceled a $3.8 million contract with ICE for engineering and inspection services at federal facilities. The Oneida government condemned the contract and replaced the subsidiary’s board of managers.
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin’s Chairman Tahassi Hill emphasized the importance of upholding their own laws, policies, and values in a statement to CBC Indigenous. He highlighted the need for nations to have the autonomy to align with their vision and values.
In a similar move, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas recently canceled a $29.9 million contract with ICE for planning and design services for secure structures. The tribal chairman, Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, expressed concerns about participating in activities reminiscent of historical trauma inflicted on Indigenous people.
Becky Webster, an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and former senior staff attorney, expressed surprise upon learning about the ICE contract. She stressed that such contracts contradict the values and identity of their community.
Matthew L. M. Fletcher, a law professor and member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, highlighted the historical context of affirmative action programs benefiting minority-owned businesses, including those owned by Indigenous tribes. He explained how these programs provide opportunities for disadvantaged groups in federal contracting.
Despite the current administration’s termination of some affirmative action programs, the 8(a) program, which supports socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners, remains unaffected. Fletcher noted the attractiveness of these contracting opportunities for tribes due to their unique legal standing and eligibility for preferential treatment.
Tribal corporations, including Alaska Native entities, operate independently and are not subject to the same transparency requirements as publicly traded companies. They can secure government contracts without open bidding processes, which has raised concerns about accountability and public oversight.
Akima, a business entity of NANA Regional Corporation owned by Iñupiaq villages in Alaska, holds substantial contracts with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. The corporation emphasized its commitment to upholding ethical standards and values while engaging in federal contracts.
Writer and environmentalist Winona LaDuke raised concerns about the colonization process inherent in turning Indigenous groups into corporate entities. She urged tribes to scrutinize their business activities to ensure alignment with their cultural values and community interests.
The actions taken by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Oneida Nation of Wisconsin underscore the importance of community engagement and accountability in tribal business operations. The involvement of citizens in questioning and challenging such contracts reflects a growing awareness of the impact on Indigenous communities.