IITIO - International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization

What IITIO - International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization does

IITIO (International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization) is a Canada-U.S. non-profit NGO founded in 2015 that convenes and advocates for international trade between Indigenous nations. The organization operates semi-annual international conferences and trade missions alternating between the United States (University of Oklahoma College of Law in Norman) and Canada (Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law in Kamloops, British Columbia), with 7+ documented events since April 2016. Its core offerings are the International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference series, NAFTA/trade agreement policy advocacy (notably co-founding the Global Affairs Indigenous Chapter Working Group in July 2017), and educational seminars and scholarly papers on international inter-tribal trade law and economics.

The underlying technology stack is minimal — IITIO is a convening, education, and policy advocacy body rather than a technology developer. There is no proprietary software, no AI/ML capability, and no mobile or web application product; the website (iitio.org) functions as an event registration portal and content distribution channel. The organization's value is generated through in-person convening, expert-led scholarly content, and direct engagement with policymakers at Global Affairs Canada, the U.S. Trade Representative, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and Indigenous representative bodies including NCAI and the Assembly of First Nations.

IITIO's business model is that of a member-funded non-profit NGO. Conferences and trade missions are offered free of charge to attendees, with costs underwritten by host universities, partner tribal nations (Citizen Potawatomi, Choctaw, Chickasaw in Oklahoma; Tk'emlups te Secwepemc and others in Canada), and government/institutional partners. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The customer base comprises Indigenous tribal governments and First Nations, Indigenous-owned businesses and tribal corporations, Indigenous economic development officers, and trade law academics and practitioners across Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. The organization operates from a registered office in Edmond, Oklahoma and a Canadian head office in Ottawa (c/o Devol and Associates), with a 5-person team and an Executive Committee led by Chair Wayne Garnons-Williams and Vice-Chair (USA) Gena R. Timberman.

Name

IITIO - International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization

Legal name

IITIO, Inc.

Website

https://iitio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IITIO is a Canada-U.S. non-profit NGO founded in 2015 that convenes semi-annual international Indigenous trade conferences and advocates for Indigenous provisions in trade agreements, serving tribal governments, First Nations, Indigenous-owned businesses, and trade law experts across North America and New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Trade Policy Advocacy

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Professional Organizations (81392), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAMAA

Trade Policy, Agreements & Negotiations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Trade & Economic Development

SECONDARYBPADAAAC

International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

Keywords

• Indigenous trade advocacy
• Trade policy conferences
• Tribal economic development
• Cross-border Indigenous commerce
• International trade education

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference and Event Services: IITIO organizes and hosts international Indigenous trade conferences and trade missions, with events offered free of charge to participants. The organization coordinates with host universities, tribal nations, and government partners to deliver educational programming on trade law, economic development, and inter-tribal commerce opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IITIO is a non-profit NGO that organizes international Indigenous trade conferences and trade missions alternating between the United States and Canada. The organization convenes Indigenous business representatives, tribal economic development officers, and international trade law experts for education and networking. It also conducts policy advocacy, including developing submissions to governments on Indigenous trade provisions such as the NAFTA/USMCA Indigenous Chapter.

Product overview

IITIO offers a conference and advocacy platform focused on international Indigenous trade. The core offering is the International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference series, which serves as the primary mechanism for bringing together Indigenous business leaders, economic development officers, and trade law experts. Additionally, IITIO provides policy advocacy services, submitting recommendations to governments on Indigenous trade provisions in agreements like NAFTA. The organization also produces educational materials and scholarly research on inter-tribal trade law and economics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Indigenous Trade Mission and Conference Periodic international conference and trade mission series held approximately every six months alternating between the United States and Canada. It brings together Indigenous business representatives, tribal economic development officers, and international trade law experts for multi-day programming on inter-tribal trade law, trade finance, supply logistics, border crossing, and Indigenous international trade provisions, including real trade missions connecting New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
• NAFTA and Trade Agreement Policy Advocacy Policy advocacy and government submissions on Indigenous trade provisions in international trade agreements, including the development of an Indigenous Chapter in NAFTA and USMCA. Provided through the Global Affairs Indigenous Chapter Working Group (GAICWG) and direct engagement with Global Affairs Canada and other trade bodies.
• Educational Seminars and Scholarly Research Expert research, presentations, conference proceedings, and educational materials on international inter-tribal trade law, international trade finance, supply logistics, and Indigenous history. Designed to support Indigenous economic development and provide accessible expert analysis to tribal nations, Indigenous businesses, economic development officers, and trade law practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pioneered inclusion of Indigenous Chapter in NAFTA/USMCA through direct advocacy and the Global Affairs Indigenous Chapter Working Group
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Thompson Rivers University Faculty of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2016Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law in Kamloops, British Columbia hosted Canada's first International Inter-Tribal Trade Symposium in November 2016 and subsequent events. The partnership enabled IITIO's expansion into Canada and collaboration with Canadian First Nations. Dean Bradford W. Morse serves on the IITIO Executive.
• Global Affairs CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2016IITIO played a founding role in the Global Affairs Indigenous Chapter Working Group (GAICWG) established in July 2017 to develop the Indigenous Chapter for NAFTA renegotiations. This partnership enabled IITIO to advocate for Indigenous rights in Canadian trade policy.
• University of Oklahoma College of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2016University of Oklahoma College of Law has been a key partner since IITIO's founding, hosting the inaugural conference in April 2016 and subsequent events in June 2017, June 2018, and June 2019. The partnership provides academic credibility, venues, and academic collaboration on Indigenous trade law research and education.
• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCAB, led by President JP Gladu, has partnered with IITIO on presentations about Indigenous trade opportunities in Canada. CCAB connects IITIO with certified Indigenous businesses for trade mission participation and economic development initiatives.
• Cando (Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCando, with Executive Director Raymond Wanuch, collaborates with IITIO on developing Indigenous trade frameworks and has participated in Global Tribal Trade Conferences. The organization supports technical training forums for First Nation economic development officers.
• Bridging Finance Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO David Sharpe, a leading First Nations financing expert, has presented at IITIO conferences on financing inter-tribal trade. Bridging Finance provides private lending services to First Nations and Inuit for infrastructure projects.
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous IssuesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIITIO Chair Wayne Garnons-Williams was appointed to the Canadian Delegation to the 17th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April 2018, representing Indigenous trade interests at the international level.
• New Zealand Government / Māori Trade PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand High Commissioner Daniel Mellsop has served as keynote speaker at IITIO conferences, and the organization has developed trade frameworks connecting New Zealand Māori with Canadian First Nations and US tribal nations for international Indigenous trade opportunities.
• National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCAI, the largest Indigenous organization in the US, passed a resolution supporting an Indigenous Chapter in NAFTA following IITIO's presentations. Executive Director Jacqueline Pata provided a letter of support for the Indigenous Chapter initiative.
• Citizen Potawatomi NationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitizen Potawatomi Nation has served as a host tribal nation for multiple IITIO trade missions and conferences. Dr. James Collard, Director of Planning and Economic Development, serves on the IITIO Executive and presents on tribal trade opportunities including the Iron Horse Industrial Park.
• Choctaw Nation of OklahomacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChoctaw Nation of Oklahoma has hosted IITIO trade missions and conferences, with Senior Legal Director Scott Freeny presenting on inter-tribal business and investment opportunities. The nation provides venues and tours of tribal businesses for conference participants.
• Chickasaw NationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChickasaw Nation has participated in IITIO events, with Chickasaw Nation Industries presenting on success in global Indigenous trade. The nation represents Indigenous business success stories in technology, hospitality, and other sectors.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development (NCIED): NCIED is a Canadian Indigenous economic development consortium led by former Haida Nation President Miles Richardson (an IITIO executive member). It is directly comparable as an Indigenous economic development convening and research body in the same ecosystem.
• National Congress of American Indians (NCAI): NCAI is the largest American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the U.S., advocating for tribal sovereignty and policy. It is directly comparable because it is a tribal advocacy umbrella body that has formally endorsed IITIO's NAFTA Indigenous Chapter work, operating in the same Indigenous policy space.
• Assembly of First Nations (AFN): AFN is the national representative organization of First Nations in Canada, advocating on treaty rights, economic development, and trade policy. It is directly comparable as an Indigenous policy advocacy body participating in IITIO conferences and supporting NAFTA Indigenous Chapter initiatives.
• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB): CCAB is a Canadian Indigenous business membership organization that promotes Indigenous economic development and connects Indigenous businesses with procurement and trade opportunities. It is directly comparable as a fellow Indigenous economic development membership body operating in the same Canada-U.S. corridor and presenting at IITIO conferences.
• National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED): NCAIED is a U.S.-based non-profit that provides business development and procurement support to American Indian-owned businesses, including convening major events like the Reservation Economic Summit (RES). It is comparable as a U.S. Indigenous economic development advocacy and convening organization.
• Cando (Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers): Cando is a Canadian Indigenous economic development officer membership organization that provides training and networking for First Nation economic development professionals. It is a direct peer as a co-convener of Indigenous trade events and a listed IITIO strategic partner.

Broad incumbents

• World Trade Centers Association (WTCA): WTCA is a global network of trade promotion organizations facilitating international trade and investment. It is comparable as a broader incumbent in international trade facilitation and convening, though not Indigenous-specific.
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): ICC is a broad global business organization promoting international trade, investment, and trade policy. It is comparable as an institutional advocate for international trade frameworks, though operating across all sectors rather than Indigenous-specific.

Regional players

• Te Taumata (Māori Economic Summit): Te Taumata is a New Zealand Māori economic development and trade convening organization that partners with IITIO and has presented at conferences on cross-Indigenous trade. It is comparable as a regional Indigenous economic development and trade body that connects to IITIO's international network.

Others

• UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII): UNPFII is the UN's central coordinating body for Indigenous issues across economic, social, and cultural dimensions. It is comparable as an institutional actor in the same Indigenous policy space where IITIO operates and to which IITIO's Chair was appointed as a delegate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/iitio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iitio-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IITIO - International Inter-tribal Trade & Investment Organization