As a child, my brother and I would sit together and study my mother’s beadwork. Whether it was a pair of moccasins or a gun scabbard, we would search for the one small flaw she intentionally placed in her intricate designs. In all of those thousands of tiny beads, there would be a single imperfection, added with care and gratitude. It was a humble act of acknowledging the Creator, who alone can make something flawless. For Native Americans, this attention to detail was not just a part of craftsmanship—it was a way of life.
Long before factories and mass production, Native Americans were already manufacturing with precision and sustainability. Natives produced items like sunglasses, syringes, rubber, and even baby bottles, though not at the industrial scale we know today. Instead, everything was made with care, an eye for detail, and a deep respect for the environment. These values continue to inform their approach to manufacturing, even as the world has evolved around us.
But the way of life that once thrived was disrupted with the development of the Reservation system and the passing of laws that forced Native people into entirely new ways of living. The General Allotment Act of 1887, also known as the Dawes Act, marked one of these turning points, pushing Native communities into agriculture. For tribes like mine, the Sicangu Lakota, who were once “nomadic” horse riders and buffalo hunters, the impact was devastating. This forced shift broke apart not only livelihoods but entire cultural systems.
By the early 20th century, policies like "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" were in full effect. Traditional ways of living were being systematically erased through boarding schools, forced sterilizations, and bans on Native languages and religions. This cultural genocide altered generations of Native communities across the U.S., but moments of hope emerged with policies like the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which sought to preserve Native sovereignty.
It was during World War II that we began to see large numbers of Native Americans enter the dominant-society workforce. Many took up manufacturing jobs in support of the war effort, alongside their substantial service in the U.S. military—an effort that continues today, with Native people serving in the military at five times the national average. Indigenous people have proudly served in every major American conflict since the Revolutionary War.
Today, the contributions of Native Americans to manufacturing in Minnesota are both visible and significant. Tribes like the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe are famous for food manufacturing. The Mdewakanton Band of Dakota produce "Hempcrete”, a strong and sustainable building material, while the White Earth Nation started “Native Automation”, which provides automation and technology solutions. These efforts are a testament to the innovation, sustainability, and precision that have long been a hallmark of Native craftsmanship.
Moreover, Native Americans continue to contribute to non-tribal manufacturing endeavors across the state. Polaris Industries in Medina proudly hires Native workers and actively partners with Native communities, offering training and professional development opportunities. Trex Commercial Products in Minneapolis works with Native suppliers and creates pathways for Native employees to advance within the company. 3M in Maplewood partners with tribal school districts to promote STEM learning among Native youth, helping to build a pipeline for future generations to thrive in manufacturing and beyond.
While it might be easy to assume that these contributions have translated into social mobility and economic prosperity for Native communities, the reality is more complex. Among Minnesota’s Native population, unemployment remains high, workforce participation is low, and 32% of Native people in the state live in poverty. These statistics remind us that while the contributions of Native Americans to the manufacturing industry are real and significant, the systems of inequality that have long existed are not so easily dismantled.
Yet, like the flaw in my mother’s beadwork, there is a purpose in acknowledging imperfection. The struggles Native communities face today are not failures, but opportunities to recognize and address the deeper issues. The resilience, skill, and precision that Native Americans bring to every bead, every product, and every contribution to modern industry are part of a long legacy that deserves recognition and support.
Minnesota collaboratives, like the Diversity in Manufacturing Initiative and the Minnesota Indigenous Workforce Initiative work to connect populations, often relegated to work that requires little experience, education and training, to meaningful, sustainable and equitable careers. With the Native median household income being $45,289, compared to $84,313 for their White-identifying neighbors, manufacturing jobs provide an opportunity to raise children out of generations of poverty and despondency.
The road to true social and financial equity is uncertain. Native people continue to tie together pre-colonial traditions with contemporary existence and continue to contribute to the comfort and welfare of all Minnesotans. The life-changing experience a career can provide reminds me of my mother’s beadwork. The designs were intricate and beautiful, but elusive until the pattern was revealed. every meaningful, sustainable and equitable career changes the trajectory and opportunity for many people, contributing to a larger picture. One job, or one bead at a time.
- Contact James Whirlwind Soldier, DEED Northwest Minnesota Workforce Strategy Consultant, at james.whirlwindsoldier@state.mn.us
- Learn about the Diversity in Manufacturing Initiative
- Learn about the Minnesota Indigenous Workforce Initiative
- View events in Northwest Minnesota and around the state on the CareerForce Manufacturing Month events page
- Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you for assist finding employment in manufacturing or on any other career path
