American Indian Report - September/October 2008 - (Page 17)

that now includes staff from the tribal governments, foundations, educational organizations and federal and state government offices from throughout the region. The first summit was held in 2006. The overall mission of the summit is to enhance business opportunities and foster economic growth that will help the three tribes develop healthy, self-sufficient communities. The main goals of this year’s summit, which was held last month and attended by approximately 400 people, was to identify successful economic development models for tribal governments and strengthen Indian-owned businesses by promoting “Buy Indian.” “The goals originally came from participants in the 2006 summit and have been kept alive by the tribal governments, through the joint efforts of the [committee]. It has brought our three nations together to share ideas and learn more from each other,” said Lorna LaGue, special projects coordinator for White Earth. Attendees run the gamut, from tribal, federal and state government employees to bankers, foundations, entrepreneurs and small business owners, representatives from businesses already working with tribes and those interested in working with tribes and even members of the general public. The 2008 summit, spanning two days, included keynote addresses, including one delivered by the president/CEO of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, as well as breakout sessions with panelist speakers from a variety of organizations, such as Harvard Indian Studies, the American Indian Economic Development Fund and Red Horse Financial Group. LaGue said, “ The summit has been valuable, as we have learned to work together and see success.” ank What happens to all the ideas explored by the working group? After a session, a summary of the business proposals discussed gets posted on the tribe’s Web site, and a hard copy version is distributed to the tribal council at its monthly meetings. The council reviews the various proposals and, ultimately, gives the red or green light. Several projects debated by the working group have made it to the development stage, the tribe said, including one involving energy and another related to government contracting. The working group does not only explore business propositions. The tribe said it has expanded into considering both top-down and bottom-up needs, like infrastructure and capacity building, along with economic return. The tribe believes the working group is an effective economic development planning tool. It said it has been key to honing in on tribal needs and goals, longand short-term. Having council representatives and tribal members participate in the discussions has helped the group focus on projects and ideas that have a better chance of being approved and getting tribal buy-in. The tribe said that the working group fosters the pooling of knowledge and resources and creative thinking. It has helped create contacts with federal, state and local businesses and agencies, which have turned out to be resources and opportunities. The group has also resulted in collaborations with and the adoption of strategies and techniques used by other successful tribes and businesses, the Washoe said, and has helped focus attention on equipping tribal members with the tools needed for success in their own ventures. n September/October 2008 17 American Indian Report

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - September/October 2008

American Indian Report - September 2008 Contents Notes from Indian Country Language Learning Gets More High-Tech Native American Music Awards Celebrates 10th Anniversary Hoop Dancing's Best to Compete for World Champ Title in Phoenix Congress: Activity on the Hill Device Monitors Sobriety for Pueblo Planning for Economic Development Negotiated Rulemaking to Impact NAHASDA�Reauthorization Cherokee Takes Big Step Toward Health Care Vision Preparing a Vision for the Future Grants: NAHMI - Strengthening Native American Families Blogroll

American Indian Report - September/October 2008

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