DDC is wholly owned by the Navajo Nation government and was established to facilitate the Nation’s opportunities to conduct business without governmental bureaucracy through the creation of subsidiary corporations, joint ventures and partnerships. The articles of incorporation and bylaws of Dine’ Development Corporation were approved by more than a 2/3 majority vote of the Navajo Nation Council in September 2004.  Under the provisions of its articles of incorporation and bylaws, DDC has the authority to waive its sovereign immunity in its business dealings and to pass down its same attributes to its subsidiary corporations without specific governmental approval.

DDC was formed to help create new jobs and new revenues and profits primarily through the participation in the United States Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development program.  That program grants specific privileges to tribally owned corporations that allow them to receive preferential treatment under the Federal procurement procedures.  Some of the special privileges are granted only to tribally owned entities and are not even available to disadvantaged, minority individuals’ businesses.

The SBA’s 8(a) BD Program is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market.