Example Letter for Native Americans

Dear Legislator,

I urge you to preserve a critical government program that is working to improve the lives of our people.

It is the Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program, providing Native businesses important contracting opportunities with the federal government. Congress committed to helping our Native communities lift our economic condition through important initiatives such as 8(a).

Yet today, certain lawmakers seek to change this component of Federal Indian policy. I hope you will honor the government's commitment to our people and sustain Native Enterprise participation in this vital initiative.

The 8(a) program is working precisely as Congress intended. Our Native 8(a) businesses are creating value for the U.S. government and Native people by providing the U.S. government with quality services and products at competitive market prices while rebuilding our communities, investing millions of dollars into educational scholarships and a host of cultural and social programs.

Thanks to 8(a), Native Americans are going to college, starting careers and finally experiencing the American Dream. Any revision to this program threatens to destroy the dreams of our children and sentence others, particularly the Elders and young families, to a life of poverty and extreme economic hardship.
The success of this program is just starting to take root, but we still have a long way to go. Nearly a quarter of all Native Americans still live in poverty. The 8(a) program offers hope that a better life for our community can be achieved.
Today, we are counting on you to honor Congress' commitment by sustaining Native Enterprise participation in the 8(a) program.