News & Updates
Media Alert: Tribal Business News >> Native-owned startup Tribal Solutions Medical delivers critical PPE to tribal ventures
JACKSON, Miss. — Tribal Solutions Medical LLC began as an attempt to combat a glut of offshore-made personal protective equipment flowing into Indian Country in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Co-founder Marshall Pierite, who also serves as chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, said the sudden demand for PPE caused tribes to scramble to get equipment for their health care providers and vulnerable populations.
“We’ve seen so many tribes taken advantage of by vendors that had products coming from China or try to sell bogus products, meaning the product wasn’t there or the products were flawed,” Pierite told Tribal Business News.
PPE and health care products distributor Tribal Solutions Medical developed alliances with large buying groups that gave the company access to “almost any level of PPE that is required, in whatever quantity is required,” Pierite said of the masks, gloves, gowns and other products that Tribal Solutions Medical sourced.
Through those alliances, Tribal Solutions Medical cut prices by a range of 17-26 percent compared to other sellers, and passed those savings along to the company’s tribal clients. The group also services tribally owned and Native American-owned hospitality and health care ventures across the country.
As of April 2021, the company said that it generated $1 million in sales of PPE, data collection, and preventative health products.
For Pierite, that milestone was less about reaching a financial mark and more a sign that Tribal Solutions Medical responded to a growing and urgent need in Indian Country throughout the height of the pandemic.
“It was very humbling, because we knew we were getting our product out to Indian Country,” Pierite said. “It was helping those that needed help, it was providing a ray of hope, a ray of sunlight to those that was much needed.”
“Our goal in introducing this to Indian Country is for tribes to start gaining ownership and creating a pipeline from Indian Country to the global market. It is time for Indian Country to lead the way on global initiatives, and I think owning and creating our own products is the way to go... We are going to help Indian Country transition from stewardship to ownership in the next generation.”
JACKSON, Miss. — Tribal Solutions Medical LLC began as an attempt to combat a glut of offshore-made personal protective equipment flowing into Indian Country in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Co-founder Marshall Pierite, who also serves as chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, said the sudden demand for PPE caused tribes to scramble to get equipment for their health care providers and vulnerable populations.
“We’ve seen so many tribes taken advantage of by vendors that had products coming from China or try to sell bogus products, meaning the product wasn’t there or the products were flawed,” Pierite told Tribal Business News.
PPE and health care products distributor Tribal Solutions Medical developed alliances with large buying groups that gave the company access to “almost any level of PPE that is required, in whatever quantity is required,” Pierite said of the masks, gloves, gowns and other products that Tribal Solutions Medical sourced.
Through those alliances, Tribal Solutions Medical cut prices by a range of 17-26 percent compared to other sellers, and passed those savings along to the company’s tribal clients. The group also services tribally owned and Native American-owned hospitality and health care ventures across the country.
As of April 2021, the company said that it generated $1 million in sales of PPE, data collection, and preventative health products.
For Pierite, that milestone was less about reaching a financial mark and more a sign that Tribal Solutions Medical responded to a growing and urgent need in Indian Country throughout the height of the pandemic.
“It was very humbling, because we knew we were getting our product out to Indian Country,” Pierite said. “It was helping those that needed help, it was providing a ray of hope, a ray of sunlight to those that was much needed.”
Press Release: Tribal Solutions Medical Delivers One Million PPE Masks to Hard Rock International
Partnership with Osceola Group Leads to Largest Order to Date & Crossing $1 Million Sales Milestone.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 5, 2021
CONTACT:
James Robinson
james.robinson@tribalsolutionsgroup.com
(601) 663-5009
Tribal Solutions Medical Delivers One Million PPE Masks to Hard Rock International
Partnership with Osceola Group Leads to Largest Order to Date & Crossing $1 Million Sales Milestone
“We are so excited to have this new partnership with Osceola Group and Hard Rock International, which builds on our existing clientele of Tribes across the country, Indian Health Services (IHS), and regional governmental entities.”
Jackson, MS – Tribal Solutions Medical, LLC (TSM) celebrated two significant milestones – hitting $1 million in sales and delivering its largest order of one million masks to Hard Rock International in partnership with the Osceola Group. TSM’s national team has worked tirelessly over the last year to establish and grow its presence across Indian Country by establishing partnerships with American Indian Tribes from the Pacific Northwest to the Southeast. TSM’s newest partnership with the Osceola Group strengthens TSM’s position and will continue to create future opportunities with Tribes and gaming enterprises across the country.
The delivery of one million masks to Hard Rock International builds on TSM’s growing list of clients, including Indian Health Service’s Regional Office in Nashville, Tennessee. “As a Native American owned and led company, Tribal Solutions Medical is committed to providing quality, cost-effective PPE and prevention resources to Indian Country, and we stand behind our products and service,” states co-owner and founder, Chairman Marshall Pierite (Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana). “While we see Tribes across Indian Country rapidly vaccinate their citizens and surrounding community, we must remain vigilant on preventative measures until we get this pandemic under control.”
TSM’s leadership team brings over 60 years of collective experience in Indian Country ranging from elected Tribal leadership, economic and workforce development, and gaming and hospitality. “When we started Tribal Solutions Medical, there was a lot of volatility and uncertainty facing Indian Country during this pandemic, and we rapidly responded to the growing needs of Tribal communities,” stated James Robinson (Mississippi Band of Choctaw), TSM co-owner. “We are so excited to have this new partnership with Osceola Group and Hard Rock International, which builds on our existing clientele of Tribes across the country, Indian Health Services (IHS), and regional governmental entities.”
The partnership with Osceola Group represents a model for Native-owned businesses working together to keep Tribal communities safe while delivering PPE solutions to keep Tribal enterprises, economic lifelines operating to sustain social and health services for Tribal citizens.
As the country and the world continue the struggle to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control, TSM is committed to providing quality and cost-effective products and services to Indian Country. With representatives in every region of the country, TSM’s national team is committed to solidifying partnerships with public and private sectors across America. TSM’s long-term vision is to have Indian Country lead in manufacturing PPE products and other goods to diversify Tribal economies with advanced, automated manufacturing hubs that bring security, market stability, and sustainability for America.
###
Tribal Solutions Medical, LLC
Tribal Solutions Medical was founded upon the idea that Tribal entities and communities should have access to health safety solutions necessary for protection, data collection, and preventative measures to ensure safe day-to-day operations in their communities.
Osceola Group
The Osceola Group is the culmination of a dream and ambitious vision. Combining several of entrepreneur O.B. Osceola Jr.’s (Seminole Tribe of Florida) diverse business ventures under one umbrella, the Osceola Group’s portfolio is wide-ranging. Still, the Native-owned businesses share one thing: a deep commitment to bringing opportunity and success to Native people and Native businesses. The Osceola Group has four primary components: development, construction, operations management, and marketing.