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Award-Winning First Innovations Initiative

First Innovations Initiative

  • Indian Country Today spotlights First Innovation Initiative

    Indian Country Today
    spotlights First Innovation Program.

    Native American Students Learn Entrepreneurial Skills at ASU
    An intensive four-day program hosted by the American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI)
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit

    Entrepreneurial Spirit
    in the classroom

    First Innovations rekindles
    entrepreneurial spirit in the classroom
  • ASU 2011 Presidential Award for Innovation

    ASU 2011 Presidential Award for Innovation
    awarded to First Innovations

    ASU 2011 Presidential Award for Innovation
    awarded to First Innovations Initiative recognizes the enthusiasm of the students as well as successful collaboration between ASU & Tribal Government.
  • Building a Pipeline of Students

    Summer 2012 Internship
    Focusing on creative solutions to address tribal needs.

    Summer 2012 Internship
    Students will work with native-owned businesses, tribal enterprises or tribal organizations to identify key challenges & opportunities.

Overview & Goals
Learn more about the First Innovations Initiative.

 

 

Our Ground-breaking Curriculum

-Summer 2012 Internship

 


Help Cultivate Leaders for the Future of Indian Country
Support Student Scholarships

 

 

Contact
How to get in touch with us.

The First Innovations Initiative is built on the value of long-term American Indian sustainability, with curriculum designed to introduce sustainability entrepreneurship that sees culture as a well-spring of innovation. Leaping beyond teaching students how to start small businesses, First Innovations students in addition, focus on high-impact thinking. It is high-impact thinking, enterprises and businesses that will be the economic engines of Tribal Nations. 

The First Innovations Initiative is a collaboration between the ASU American Indian Policy Institute and American Indian Studies.

The core team includes:

  • Eddie F. Brown, DSW, Professor, American Indian Studies, & Executive Director, American Indian Policy Institute
  • John Takamura, Asst. Professor, Herberger Institute for Design & the Arts
  • Patricia Mariella,  Ph.D. Director,  American Indian Policy Institute
  •  Fonda Walters, Ed.D.Senior Research Analyst,  American Indian Policy Institute
  • Dan O’Neill, Program Director,  Technology Entrepreneurship & Management, College of Technology & Innovation (Advisor)