Attorney Thelma Stiffarm appointed assistant administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Native American Affairs.

Successful entrepreneur attributes success to small business owners

Attorney Thelma Stiffarm says she has small businesses to thank for helping her build an impressive resume.

By JO DEE BLACK
Tribune Staff Writer

Growing up in Box Elder, Stiffarm, a member of the Gros Ventre Tribe, knew her father’s teaching salary wouldn’t cover college tuition costs.

So after high school, she enrolled in Margaret Hood Beauty School in Great Falls, then paid her way through college while working at beauty shops.

"Each one was a small business owned by a woman," Stiffarm recalled. "They never gave up; they just figured out ways to make their businesses work."

Four decades later, Stiffarm is poised to offer help to similar small businesses. She was recently appointed assistant administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Native American Affairs.

Her new post in Washington, D.C., involves boosting small business opportunities for Native Americans through SBA programs

"The SBA already has good programs in place," Stiffarm said. "But we need to make Indian people aware of those program and make them easier to access."

She plans to engage tribal colleges in that effort.

"We can adapt any training materials we already have to provide the assistance and training people need," Stiffarm said.

She’ll also be engaging the first-hand knowledge of tribal leaders.

"We are very fortunate to have Thelma Stiffarm on our team as an advocate for Native Americans across the country," SBA Administrator Hector Barreto wrote in a news release announcing her appointment. "With her long history of dedication to the interests of the Native American community, I know she will bring a strong sense of purpose to the job."

She brings not only purpose, but plenty of practical knowledge, too.

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Age: 59

Birthplace: Fort Belknap. Grew up in Box Elder.

Education: Graduated from Haskll High School, a boarding school in Kansas, in 1961. Earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Montana-Missoula in 1970. Earned a law degree from the University of New Mexico in 1974.

Professional career:

l Assistant administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Native American Affairs, April 2003 to present.

l Program administrator of the Tribal Government Program in the Customer Liaison Office at the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington, D.C., 1999 to April 2003.

l Executive director of the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council in Billings, 1996 – 1999.

l Taught Native American studies at Montana State University-Billings, 1994 –1996. Owned Thomas Management and Training from 1986 to 1996. The business, which specialized in providing legal seminars to tribal governments and federal agencies, has offices in Rocky Boy’s and Billings.

l Stiffarm also worked with the All Indian Pueblo Council, the American Indian Law Center, the United Tribes of North Dakota and the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Political experience: Served one term on the Fort Belknap Tribal Council. Republican Precinct Committeewoman in Billings. Worked on campaigns of President George Bush, President George W. Bush and Sen. Conrad Burns.

Family: Stiffarm and her husband, Duane T. Bird Bear, have twin sons who are 25 years old.

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