Several tribes manage prosperous timber and forest products industries which in 1997, harvested over 650 million board feet of timber. Using sustainable development practices, tribes have reforested more than 14,000 acres, and overseen forest improvements on another 66,625 acres. Tribes also administer comprehensive fishery programs, regulating and enforcing fishing on tribal lands and working cooperatively with the State and federal agencies to protect and conserve the fisheries. Each year, tribal hatcheries rear and release over 40 million young salmon and steel head in the Pacific Northwest. Indian tribes are important contributors to the overall energy production within the United States as well.
Tribal businesses tend to be proprietorships and encompass all sectors of industry.
In addition to the individual artisans and craftsmen, there are approximately 180 American Indian-owned and operated arts and crafts enterprises marketing nationally and internationally.