Finance conference focuses on developing the nations' wealth.

Byline: Gale Courey Toensing

Oct. 31--MASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation was the host of the Seventh Semiannual Native American Finance Conference, an intensive two-day event focusing on Indian country's current and future economic well-being.

The conference took place Oct. 15 -- 16 at the Grand Pequot Ballroom on the third floor of the Grand Pequot Tower, the tribe's signature hotel at Foxwoods Resort & Casino.

The event was organized by Information Management Network, a company that organizes institutional finance and investment conferences all over the world.

The conference is the biggest of its kind to take place in Indian country, bringing together hundreds of representatives from tribal nations across the country and professionals from top-level firms specializing in investments, financial consulting, Indian law, corporate banking, trusts, insurance, real estate, housing, bonds, gaming and all aspects of financial planning and management. This conference included a special focus on developing tribal energy resources and green energy.

A Pima elder from the Gila and Salt River reservations opened the conference with a traditional prayer, followed by a short welcoming speech by Mashantucket Pequot Chairman Michael Thomas.

Thomas, who co-chaired the conference committee, said the task was "a labor of love" for him and the MPTN council.