Post by Okwes on Feb 9, 2007 11:31:12 GMT -5
Series explores Native nation building By JODI RAVE
Native peoples are telling their success stories on radio and
television, building on more than two decades of research from
university professors who have spent decades trying to figure out why
some tribal governments succeed where others don't.
"Studies are good, but it's more important when we claim that
kind of information and bring our own stories forward," said Sophie
Pierre, president and chief of the Ktunaxa Nation in Cranbrook, British
Columbia. "It's more meaningful for our people when it's us
telling our story."
The Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona produced those
stories for a 10-part radio and TV series featuring roundtable
discussions with Native political, business and community leaders, as
well as scholars and educators.
The series explores five basic elements that propel some tribal
governments to success and others to falter. The shows aim to help
Natives and non-Natives gain a deeper understanding of successful tribal
governance.
"The Native Nation Building series is an excellent opportunity for
us all to learn and explore contemporary indigenous sovereignty,
self-governance and economic development," said Montana Gov. Brian
Schweitzer, who is learning the true meaning of nation building through
recent attempts to negotiate a state-tribal gaming compact with the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
"Often non-Indian societies have a hard time grasping political
sovereignty," Manley Begay, director of the Native Nations
Institute, said in the video. "The thought is, `We have to take
political sovereignty away from Indian Country. And then we need to tell
them what to do.'
"It's seems as though
it's in the best interest of non-Indian society to support political
sovereignty. In the long run, when economic development takes place in
Indian Country, it affects nearby communities, it affects the region,
and in turn it affects the nation as a whole."
The series "helps shed some light on the strength of tribal
governments and the role in our society," said Jaime Pinkham of the
Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission in Portland, Ore. "Tribal
governments have to deal with the same complex issues any other
government has to deal with. Tribal governments are the oldest and most
misunderstood governments out there."
The video pieces are based on academic studies, culminating through two
decades of community-based research from professors and researchers at
the Native Nations Institute and the Harvard Project on American Indian
Economic Development at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of
Government.
The research lists five key areas that help lead to tribal government
success. They include the following: asserting sovereignty, respecting
culture, solid governing institution, exemplary leadership and a plan
for the future.
The work provides a blueprint for tribes to move forward. "We can
put it to use ourselves," Pierre said. "We don't need to
have outside people coming in, whether they're academics or
corporate people, to fix things. We can do it ourselves."
Native peoples are telling their success stories on radio and
television, building on more than two decades of research from
university professors who have spent decades trying to figure out why
some tribal governments succeed where others don't.
"Studies are good, but it's more important when we claim that
kind of information and bring our own stories forward," said Sophie
Pierre, president and chief of the Ktunaxa Nation in Cranbrook, British
Columbia. "It's more meaningful for our people when it's us
telling our story."
The Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona produced those
stories for a 10-part radio and TV series featuring roundtable
discussions with Native political, business and community leaders, as
well as scholars and educators.
The series explores five basic elements that propel some tribal
governments to success and others to falter. The shows aim to help
Natives and non-Natives gain a deeper understanding of successful tribal
governance.
"The Native Nation Building series is an excellent opportunity for
us all to learn and explore contemporary indigenous sovereignty,
self-governance and economic development," said Montana Gov. Brian
Schweitzer, who is learning the true meaning of nation building through
recent attempts to negotiate a state-tribal gaming compact with the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
"Often non-Indian societies have a hard time grasping political
sovereignty," Manley Begay, director of the Native Nations
Institute, said in the video. "The thought is, `We have to take
political sovereignty away from Indian Country. And then we need to tell
them what to do.'
"It's seems as though
it's in the best interest of non-Indian society to support political
sovereignty. In the long run, when economic development takes place in
Indian Country, it affects nearby communities, it affects the region,
and in turn it affects the nation as a whole."
The series "helps shed some light on the strength of tribal
governments and the role in our society," said Jaime Pinkham of the
Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission in Portland, Ore. "Tribal
governments have to deal with the same complex issues any other
government has to deal with. Tribal governments are the oldest and most
misunderstood governments out there."
The video pieces are based on academic studies, culminating through two
decades of community-based research from professors and researchers at
the Native Nations Institute and the Harvard Project on American Indian
Economic Development at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of
Government.
The research lists five key areas that help lead to tribal government
success. They include the following: asserting sovereignty, respecting
culture, solid governing institution, exemplary leadership and a plan
for the future.
The work provides a blueprint for tribes to move forward. "We can
put it to use ourselves," Pierre said. "We don't need to
have outside people coming in, whether they're academics or
corporate people, to fix things. We can do it ourselves."