Interview: James Jones, founder, Minnesota Tribal Contractors Council

As the founder of the newly formed Minnesota Tribal Contractors Council, James Jones is an outspoken advocate for Native American contractors and tribally owned businesses in the construction trades. The nonprofit council, based in northern Minnesota, held its inaugural meeting in May. It offers networking opportunities, mentorship, job and safety training, transportation services, financial education, legislative advocacy, employment resources and other services. Jones has a background in archaeological services. A member of the Lake Leech Band of Ojibwe, Jones is the former cultural resources director of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and current owner of Dirt Divers CRM, a provider of cultural resource management services. In the following interview, Jones speaks with Reporter Brian Johnson about his own background and why he founded the Minnesota Tribal Contractors Council. He discusses the $2.9 billion Enbridge Line 3 replacement project and what it means for Native workers.