FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Employee Rights Ordinance office (TERO) and the North Wind Group, a  Native-owned family of companies based in Southeast Idaho, have signed a memorandum of  understanding to further workforce development collaborations, according to a news release from the tribes.

     The memorandum promotes cooperation and coordination between North Wind and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to increase training and employment opportunities for the local Native American workforce.  

    North Wind and TERO began discussions in 2011 to identify areas where the two parties could work together.

    “This memorandum with North Wind is just one of the many human capacity building and  career pathway initiatives that the Shoshone-Bannock TERO has in the works,” said Wes Edmo, TERO director. “It signifies an opportunity for TERO to tap into additional resources and jobs for tribal  members.  We need to connect with more industries like North Wind to help build capacity for our people in areas where there is a demand for more Native American professionals and where we need to develop more of a workforce in our community.”   

    North Wind is wholly owned by Cook Inlet Region, Inc., an Alaska Native corporation.  CIRI President and Chief Executive Officer Margie Brown said, “North Wind is well-positioned to provide a meaningful partnership with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Focusing on developing Alaska Native and Native American professionals by matching workers’ skills to needs in an industry already present in the community will benefit all involved.”

    “This partnership is more than just a business proposition for North Wind,” said North Wind Group President, Sylvia Medina. “As a Native-owned company, we are committed to community development efforts that enhance opportunities for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and CIRI shareholders.”

    North Wind is a small business leader in the environmental, engineering, and construction service industries. The company is based in Idaho Falls and operates throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.