Embedding Native Values into your Business through Sustainability and Sustainable Procurement Program

This project is a collaboration between Portland State University’s (PSU’s) Community Environmental Services (CES) and Institute for Tribal Government (ITG) with the Northwest Native Chamber (NWNC) and Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC). Our purpose is to practice environmental justice through an equity lens centered in intersectional communities.

We acknowledge that across all industries there are practices that contribute to pollution through production and consumption of materials and services. This program is open to organizations of all sizes, but we want to point out that small and medium-sized organizations are also welcome, despite the fact that these organizations tend to produce less pollution than their larger counterparts. We also recognize that all minority-owned and minority-serving organizations generally face additional challenges with implementing sustainable procurement practices as they typically receive fewer services and less support.

We aim to assist up to 100 organizations and other organizations in the state of Oregon. Our goal is to provide additional “tools in the toolbox” via curriculum, workshops, networking, and additional resources to interested Native and Tribally-owned and/or serving organizations who are starting or currently progressing in their journey of developing, refining, and implementing sustainable procurement practices.

Embedding Native Values into your Business Cohort 2 Starts Sept. 9 - Register Now!

We’re looking for 60+ Native-owned or Native-serving businesses of all sizes–with a focus on small to medium-sized–to join this free program. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine and implement sustainability programs and sustainable procurement practices, this program is for you! 

  • Sept. 9 Program Kick-Off (Virtual) - meet the program team!
  • 3 self-paced virtual modules that help businesses develop their own sustainability program
  • Optional weekly office hours hosted by SPLC
  • Apply what you’ve learned and develop your own sustainability plan at the in-person workshop, Oct. 8-9
  • Optional monthly peer learning circles post-workshop
  • Stipend provided to participants who complete the virtual modules and attend the in-person workshop
  • Additional support available for lodging and travel to the in-person workshop, and missing work time
A woman in a purple blazer is happily speaking to a crowd.

EPA awards PSU more than $700k to assist Tribal communities with pollution prevention

Portland State University was awarded $716,484 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of an effort to address pollution prevention in local communities.