Gary “Litefoot” Davis has long been a pioneering force in the indigenous community, boasting a multi-faceted career that seamlessly bridges arts, entertainment, public policy and federal government affairs, and sophisticated business acumen.

After first establishing himself as a notable figure in arts and entertainment, Gary next found success as an accomplished business leader and organizational trailblazer.

He led the National Center for American Indian Economic Development for many years, working to advance both its business relationships and its public policy and regulatory agenda, and has been retained by global industry groups, such as the American Petroleum Institute, to advise on ethical and thoughtful coalition building with indigenous nations.

Gary has traveled to hundreds of Tribal Nations over the span of his thirty year career and has earned the trust of Tribal governments and businesses through his work as a pathfinder between the traditional foundations and institutions of Indian Country and influence in the halls of government and the global business marketplace.

Gary’s accomplishments as a seasoned entrepreneur evolved into tribal economic development in 2007 when he became Vice-President of U.S. Native Affairs for the Triple Five Group (owners of the Mall of America) and then co-chair of the National Indian Gaming Association’s, American Indian Business Network.

In 2011 he was asked to join the board of directors of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development and soon after was asked to lead the organization as its president and CEO overseeing their annual Reservation Economic Summit (RES) in Las Vegas, multiple federal programs and initiatives related to business across Indian Country.

Mr. Davis has twice testified before the U.S. Senate and is astute at policy matters related to Indian Country. He is a relentless advocate for tribal sovereignty and has considerable experience building bridges on Capitol Hill.

His effectiveness in working with federal agencies to advance business in Indian Country has been substantiated by his twice being appointed an ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy (2015) and Equity in Energy (2020) initiatives as well as his appointment to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities (2016).

He is an accomplished international speaker. Highlights include delivering the featured keynote speech at the World Indigenous Business Forum in Guatemala City, Guatemala and delivering remarks at Hannover Messe, the world’s largest annual trade fair for industrial technology, in Hannover, Germany.

Mr. Davis has been a notable figure in Indian Country for over 30 years. First recognized for his considerable achievements in music, film and television with eight award winning albums and starring roles in such films as, The Indian in The Cupboard (Paramount Pictures) and appearances on television programs such as, House of Cards (Netflix) and numerous inspirational concert tours which took him to nearly every tribal nation in the United States.

Mr. Davis was responsible for the creation and execution of the “Reach the Rez” project – which still stands as the single largest national effort of outreach aimed at positively impacting Indian Country over the span of five years. The effort raised over $1.3 million philanthropically for the unprecedented project aimed at serving tribal communities. The Reach the Rez effort began in 2005 and Mr. Davis and his family, along with a crew of ten staff, traveled 54,000 miles in the first year of the effort. The project successfully provided motivational and inspirational programs to over 350 indigenous communities across North America by its conclusion.

Mr. Davis was also recognized by Scholastic Books in their publication “Native American Heroes” in 2019.

Gary grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and and now calls Dallas, Texas home where he lives with his wife Carmen and their three sons Quannah, Sequoyah and Qwnuseia and their golden retriever, Tsali. The couple’s oldest son Quannah is blazing his own trail in music, modeling and fashion while Gary and his wife Carmen travel nationwide throughout the year in support of their younger sons who are both accomplished lacrosse players.

Appointed by Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration to the Council on Underserved Communities – May 23, 2016

Appointed by Dr. Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, as an Ambassador of the Department of Energy’s, Minorities In Energy initiative – 2015

Appointed by the Honorable James E. Campos, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, as an Ambassador of the Department of Energy’s, Equity In Energy initiative – 2020

Coordinated and accompanied the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation delegation to the Netherlands to meet with government officials and industry leaders - March 2019

Accompanied the U.S. Department of Commerce, and its Minority Business Development Agency, as part of the official U.S. Delegation to Hannover Messe 2016, the world’s Largest trade fair for industrial technology- April 25-29, 2016 in Hannover, Germany.

World Indigenous Business Forum, Featured Keynote speaker – October 29-30, 2014 in Guatemala City, Guatemala description.

University of Tulsa

Oversight Hearing of the United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee, “Indian Country Priorities for the 114th Congress” – January 28, 2015

Oversight Hearing of the United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee, “Economic Development: Encouraging Investment in Indian Country” – June 25, 2014

2015 Recipient of the United States Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency’s National Director of the Year Award

2015 Minority Business News USA Champion in honor of unwavering commitment to supplier diversity

Selected as one of the, “Fifty Faces of Indian Country” by Indian Country Today Media Network – 2015

2014 Recipient of the Cherokee Nation Historical Society’s Seven Star Award for accomplishments in music, acting and business

Recipient of the American Indian Business Leaders Entrepreneurship Award – 1995

At Invenio Tribal Law, Gary serves firm clients as follows:

As a critical facilitator between tribal governments the firm represents in complex litigation and the firm’s litigators, ensuring that Tribal government stakeholders and constituents are able to partner effectively with lawyers representing them as claimants in courts and settlement processes.

Advising and leading engagements on federal government affairs matters.

As a strategic business affairs advisor for innovative tribal business ventures and individual indigenous entrepreneurs.

As a critical leader and advisor on the role of indigenous rights in the important work of social equity and environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) initiatives.

Gary Davis is a non-lawyer partner and advisor at Invenio Tribal Law. He provides non-legal advisory leadership to clients