Welcome to the MHA Nation TERO Website

Guided by the Commission, Powered by TERO.
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MHA Nation TERO Commission: Connecting Opportunity and Oversight

The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation—also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes—is a sovereign and forward-looking Nation with a significant and growing presence in multiple industries across the United States and the world. While the energy sector remains a major driver of economic activity, the Nation also leads in gaming, agribusiness, hospitality, construction, and retail—all part of a robust strategy to build intergenerational wealth and self-determination.

This website is maintained by the MHA TERO Commission which is appointed by the MHA Nation Tribal Council and provides strategic oversight and policy guidance. However, the TERO Office is the operational heart of this effort—the entity that tribal members, employers, and contractors will work with directly.

What Is TERO?

TERO refers to the Tribal Employment Rights Office, the entity responsible for implementing and enforcing the TERO Ordinance—a tribal law passed by the MHA Nation Tribal Business Council. The Ordinance affirms the Nation’s sovereign right to prioritize Indian Preference in employment, contracting, and training on tribal lands. It aligns with the federal Indian Preference Act of 1934, strengthening opportunities for MHA citizens and businesses.

What We Do

The TERO Office plays a critical role in ensuring that economic development on tribal lands results in meaningful and measurable benefits for tribal citizens. We are committed to enforcing Indian Preference in employment, contracting, and training; licensing and certifying Indian-owned businesses to expand their access to tribal and industry opportunities; ensuring compliance with the TERO Ordinance by all employers operating within MHA jurisdiction; protecting worker safety and health through the application and active enforcement of relevant labor, environmental, and other standards; and supporting workforce development through job placement, advocacy, and tribal employment initiatives.

Why It Matters

From pipelines to hospitality suites, from construction sites to checkout counters, tribal citizens are at the core of MHA Nation’s economic growth. The TERO framework ensures that the wealth generated from our lands and enterprises is reinvested into our people, building capacity, protecting rights, and strengthening sovereignty.

The Structure of TERO

The TERO Commission is the governing body that sets policy, reviews enforcement practices, and ensures alignment with tribal law and long-term vision. The TERO Office is the public-facing entity that delivers services, responds to inquiries, and upholds our employment rights on a day-to-day basis.

If you’re seeking employment, contracting opportunities, certification, or regulatory guidance, the TERO Office is here to help.

Please Be Advised

Be advised that all OWNERS need to come in physically for new or renewal applications. Any non-Owner designated official from a company or corporation will be required to provide a Certificate of Authority affidavit or signed company meeting document authorizing that individual to sign for the company or corporation. Must have a current valid ID.
Business Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
Licensing Monday - Thursday
8:00am - 3:30pm
Closed from 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Together, we are building a stronger Nation—one opportunity, one business, and one future at a time.