“When you unpack the statistics that only 0.004% of $330B in VC capital in 2021 was invested in Native/Indigenous founders, you uncover systemic frameworks keeping Native and Indigenous communities out of sight, out of reach of many things like education, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation,” explains Nicole Johnny (Dine), Investment Associate at Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. These barriers, Johnny argues, have created a deep-rooted cycle that marginalizes Native and Indigenous communities, stifling their visibility and economic potential.​

Nicole Johnny of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners; Photo by Matt Foster of Matt Foster Studios