Wisconsin Statewide Native Market Study
Project Profile
Client:
Wisconsin Native Loan Fund
Project Location:
Wisconsin
Project Time Frame:
July 2025 - June 2026
Services:
Online Survey
Stakeholder Interviews
Talking Circles
Analysis of Newly Collected Data
Strategic Planning
Areas of Focus:
Demographics
Income and Finances
Interest in Homeownership
Interest in Small Business Development
Art and Culture
Access and Barriers to Markets
Project Description
The Wisconsin Native Loan Fund is building upon efforts to expand access to capital and strengthen economic opportunity for tribal and Native communities, with a mission centered on advancing financial empowerment, homeownership, and entrepreneurship.
The Wisconsin Statewide Native Market Study is part of a broader initiative to better understand the experiences, priorities, and barriers Native households, entrepreneurs, and artists across the state face and fill any existing data gaps surrounding access to financial resources for homeownership, business development, and the creation and sale of traditional arts and crafts. The project includes a comprehensive survey alongside stakeholder engagement with tribal members, Native-led organizations, and partner agencies. These data collection efforts are being coordinated by Big Water Consulting and developed collaboratively to support partnership-building, shared learning, and the creation of a robust, community-informed dataset.
The study design builds on prior community-driven research, including the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Impact Study of Indigenous-Owned Businesses and Non-Gaming Tribal Enterprises in the State of Wisconsin, and reflects a commitment to culturally grounded approaches. Designing the project to build upon existing tribal research efforts ensures that findings can inform more responsive programs, policies, and investments that align with the goals and opportunities identified by tribal and Native communities in Wisconsin.
Partners and Funding Sources
Project funder
Project funder
Project partner
Meet Wisconsin Native Artists and Entrepreneurs
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Michael “Laughing Fox" Charette
is a gifted Native American storyteller, poet, and member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (located in Northern Wisconsin). As a self-taught Native American flute player, he enhances his stories with hauntingly beautiful flute music. Growing up surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior led him to dedicate his gifts as an artist to educating about Native American history, culture, and ways of life. My artist style is 3D design, working primarily with dreamcatchers as a symbol of cultural pride.
“I wish there were more story telling workshops within tribal communities that will inspire teachers, educators and leaders to incorporate Native American traditions into teaching. Our history contains stories that are needed to teach about the world, one’s place in it and the importance of community and respect for nature to connect each generation to our ancestors and shared past to make sure our history is not lost.”
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Chris Basina
is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and owner of the Hog & Herring, a local indigenously owned and operated catering company providing a memorable experience in the heart of the Chequamegon Bay. As a chef, Chris creates from his multi-generational cooking heritage of Anishinaabe family where he uses seasonal, local and regional ingredients to make dishes that reflect his passion and love for food and the bounty of earth.
Email: cjbasina@gmail.com
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Tabatha Thundercloud
is a graduate of the College of Menominee Nation, where she attained her associate’s degree in business administration in addition to holding a certificate in Small Business Entrepreneurship. Tabatha has utilized her education and artistic skills to create her own business that intertwines Indigenous culture and language with modern styles and products. Respectively named All My Relations, it is an Indigenous owned and operated online gift shop that features handmade products
representing her cultural heritage through her art, designs, and use of natural materials. Tabatha is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation, and it is with a good heart, mind, and spirit shares that positive energy with others.Email: thundercloudtl@yahoo.com
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Hailey Skenandore
is the owner of Partners In Grime Cleaning Services LLC- offering residential and custodial professional cleaning services to the Oneida Nation and surrounding areas. “I started Partners In Grime during COVID, after unexpectedly losing my previous job. Like many others, I was forced to pivot quickly to support my family. What began as "side hustle" turned into a purpose-driven business built on hard work, reliability and community trust.”
Partners In Grime was created with a deep passion for keeping spaces clean, safe and welcoming for my community. We proudly service key places within our community, including residential homes and important commercial and environmental spaces. Clean spaces matter. They support health, productivity and peace of mind. and that belief drives everything we do.
Despite being a very small team of just three people, our business has grown steadily through referrals, strong relationships and consistent quality. One of my biggest milestones was being recognized with Best of the Bay, which remains my greatest win. That recognition meant everything- not just as a business owner but as an Indigenous woman entrepreneur proving that small, community-rooted businesses can thrive.“I hope my story encourages other Indigenous entrepreneurs to take the leap, bet on themselves, and know that success is possible. Even when it begins in uncertainty.”
