TULSA – Native business owners took center stage Nov. 20 for the Cherokee Nation’s annual banquet celebrating professional partners across Indian Country and beyond.
“I have to pinch myself,” said Kelli Collins, whose Tulsa business Happy Playgrounds was named Certified Indian Woman Owned Business of the Year. “I have worked really hard over the last 10 years to build this business. I do it first and foremost because I love what I do. But when you get rewarded for something like that, as the old saying goes, it’s icing on the cake.”
Held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, the Nov. 20 event shined a spotlight on Indian-owned businesses certified by the Cherokee Nation’s Tribal Employment Rights Office, more commonly referred to as TERO. Businesses and artists with the TERO designation are prioritized for tribal contracts.
“I have the greatest respect for the chief and deputy chief and the importance of the TERO program and wanting to employ the Nation first,” Collins said. “It’s like your family. You want to take care of your family first, right? When you take care of your family, everything else falls into place.”
TERO banquet attendees were treated to dinner, speakers, music and special recognition for nine standout companies, including Gary Barker Construction, Inc., which received the 2025 Certified Indian Business Community Leadership Award…