Tucson Standard

The University of Arizona's Native FORGE program, which supports entrepreneurs in Arizona's tribal communities, has selected five entrepreneurs from the San Carlos Apache Tribe for the program's inaugural cohort.

According to a release from the University, the entrepreneurs will be mentored by Rafael Tapia Jr. of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. Native FORGE is a program within Arizona FORGE (Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs).

"I feel that Native FORGE is right in line with our goals in San Carlos, and for them to assist and foster our small businesses is amazing," Kodee Goseyun, Economic Development Specialist, San Carlos Apache Tribe, said in the release. "Our long-term goal is to build up our local economy by way of small businesses."

Rafael Tapia Jr., mentor-in-residence and member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe will also serve as a mentor for the entrepreneurs. The program will provide laptops and technology support for those who need it, the release said.

"Working with these entrepreneurs is an exciting opportunity for both FORGE and the tribal community," Tapia said. "The University of Arizona learns more about how to best support the needs of tribal businesses, and the entrepreneurs gain resources and education they can share and use to scale their businesses."

Brian Ellerman, executive director of Arizona FORGE, said the program's goal is to help communities grow.

"This program is intended to be a two-way communication, where tribal entrepreneurs gain business resources they can implement and share within their own communities and the University of Arizona learns how to leverage assets to best support the specific needs of tribal entrepreneurs," Ellerman said in the release.