About Us
Buffalo Horse, Inc. is a tribally-owned corporation established by the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) with the goal of providing contract services to federal, state, and private entities. The company specializes in developing a self-sustaining economy for the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and Nakoda (Assiniboine) Nations through new businesses, job creation, and resource development.
Buffalo Horse Creation
The meaning behind the company name “Buffalo Horse” came from an observation current BHI Councilmen Tracy “Ching” King shared about a unique horse that he witnessed on the buffalo pasture near Snake Butte.
In August 2009, Councilmen King noticed a white horse running with the bison herd transferred from Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo Pasture Technicians also began seeing the white horse running alongside the bison herd. Attempts were made to capture the horse; the horse seemed to disappear whenever anyone got near the horse and bison. Councilmen King shared a Nakoda story about the “Holy White Horse” that ran with the bison herds as a protection spirit. Before Europeans, when the bison still roamed free, our Nakoda people shared stories and songs about the “Holy White Horse” they would see during their bison hunts. Our People always had great success in our bison hunts when we would see the “Holy White Horse.”
Councilmen Tracy “Ching” King felt it appropriate to name our new government contracting company “Buffalo Horse” as a successful business to create economic sovereignty for the Nakoda and A’aniiih nations.
The goal of “Buffalo Horse” was to provide a contract vehicle in the federal procurement space that was unique, which would help our Tribe with self-sustainability and economic sovereignty. Before our People were placed on an Indian Reservation, we were wealthy from our nourishment and goods provided by the bison. The bison provided our homes, clothing, tools, and food. The horse gave us that vehicle to ride alongside the bison to harvest them for our survival.Councilmen King proclaimed that our new government contracts company would be called “Buffalo Horse” because it included the most essential beings our nation needed for survival and wealth, the Buffalo and The Horse.
Native 8(a) Program
The Native 8(a) program is a special contracting program designed to promote the development of small businesses owned by Native American tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and other eligible entities. The "8(a)" refers to Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, which authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to administer business development assistance to small disadvantaged businesses.
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Benefits of the Native 8(a) program include:
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Sole-Source Contracts: Participants can receive sole-source contracts, meaning that government agencies can award contracts to them without competition, up to a certain threshold.
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Competitive Contracts: Participants can also compete for set-aside contracts reserved for 8(a) businesses, giving them opportunities in the broader federal marketplace.
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Business Development Assistance: The program provides various forms of business development assistance, including training, counseling, marketing assistance, and access to capital.
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Mentor-Protégé Program: Participants can enter into mentor-protégé agreements with more experienced businesses, allowing them to receive guidance and support.
For Buffalo Horse INC, being part of the Native 8(a) program can provide numerous advantages. The company may gain access to federal contracts, both sole-source and competitive, helping them secure a foothold in the government contracting arena. The business development assistance and mentorship aspects of the program can contribute to the growth and competitiveness of Buffalo Horse INC in the federal marketplace. Additionally, the program aims to enhance the economic development of Native American-owned businesses, aligning with the goals of Buffalo Horse INC and potentially fostering sustainability and success in the long term.
Meet Our Team
