In December 2024, Global Minnesota brought a delegation of 10 Indigenous leaders from Chile to Minnesota, as part of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. They were in the U.S. to explore strategies that merge environmental sustainability with economic empowerment for Indigenous-led businesses. This delegation was part of a single-country project titled “Promoting Environmental Sustainability in Indigenous-Led Small Businesses.”
The visiting leaders, representing various Indigenous communities from Chile, aimed to learn how U.S. Indigenous communities integrate traditional knowledge, cultural values, and modern practices to foster sustainable economic growth. Global Minnesota was proud to showcase Minnesota’s Indigenous expertise with a packed itinerary featuring insightful exchanges, visits to innovative businesses, and discussions with thought leaders.
The State Department opened the program in Minnesota. Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Patrice Kunesh provided a thoughtful keynote on the successes and challenges of Native American businesses in the U.S. Following the keynote, the group enjoyed an opening lunch at Owamni by The Sioux Chef, an Indigenous restaurant showcasing pre-colonial North American cuisine. Later in the week the visitors were able to visit Owamni’s North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems Indigenous Food Labs, which connects Native agriculture to broader markets while revitalizing traditional foodways. In addition the delegation also met with representatives from the Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance and the Mni Sota Fund, who shared frameworks for supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs through financial resources, cultural practices, and community partnerships. Finally the group connected with small business owners including the Eagle and Condor Native Wellness Center at Indigenous Roots and Minnesota Representative Jamie Becker Finn’s business Makwa Coffee.
Throughout the program, the Chilean and local leaders delved into how Indigenous enterprises can combat climate change, create resilient value chains, and uplift their communities. These experiences in Minnesota offered an opportunity to share practical tools, networking opportunities, and inspiration to adapt these approaches in their home countries.
This initiative exemplified the International Visitor Leadership Program’s mission to build bridges and foster global collaboration, empowering emerging leaders to create sustainable, culturally grounded futures in their communities.