Nicholas Belgard was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and is an enrolled member of The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Having served as Web Services Director for Native Network, Inc. from 2009 through 2013, he went on to utilize his experience in Information Technology and programming to run his own web development firm, and his work includes many original web development and maintenance contracts for a variety of Native businesses and organizations. Besides his previous work in web development, he is also an accomplished musician, producer, and engineer, and has worked with various bands and artists throughout Portland. Combining his passions of music and web design with his love of auto mechanics and food, he went on to open Turtle Island Grille, LLC, an Indigenous Food Truck startup and Cultural Experience located in Portland, Oregon.