Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PT | 1:00 -2:30 MT | 2:00 – 3:30 CT | 3:00 – 4:30 ET

Registration Link: https://ntv.bz/trade

Webinar Description:

Long before money was used, Native communities built strong economies through bartering—trading goods, skills, and services to meet needs and build relationships. These traditional ways of doing business are still powerful tools today, especially for small Native-owned businesses.

In this 45–50 minute session, we’ll explore how bartering—once central to Indigenous trade networks—can be used today to save money, build community, and grow your business. You’ll learn how bartering fits into what’s called the “collaborative economy”—where people share resources and work together instead of relying only on cash.

Through stories, modern-day examples, and real-world tools, we’ll cover:

• The history and cultural importance of bartering in Indigenous communities
• How to trade goods and services with other Native businesses
• Examples of Native entrepreneurs who use bartering today
• Tips for finding barter partners and making fair trades
• Online and local platforms to help you get started
• How to avoid common bartering mistakes

We’ll also have time to brainstorm together, so you can walk away with real ideas of something you need and something you could offer in trade—starting your barter journey today.

Presenter: Lahoma Davidson

Lahoma has spent over twenty years advancing economic development in Native communities, with a strong focus on supporting small businesses. She specializes in helping Native entrepreneurs access capital, develop sound financial systems, and build sustainable enterprises. Her expertise spans loan program design, underwriting, collections, risk assessment, and CDFI certification.