Winds of Change - Spring 2017 - 34

ON PROSPECTS FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS

STRENGTHS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

"The true strength of Indian Nations comes
from your determination. No matter the
obstacle, our people share in the legacy of
overcoming adversity. It is that strong
conviction, deep determination, and
commitment to excellence that will see us
through the challenges of the future - as
individuals, as tribes and nations, as
organizations like AISES. AISES is not just an
organization of like-minded people. . . . It is
an opportunity to have a new life adventure
to explore and discover. In 1977, we planted
the seed - you made it grow!"
- JERRY ELLIOTT HIGH EAGLE

"The key strengths of AISES include the
mission itself - so important to who we are
as a people and the impact we can have in so
many areas. Another important strength is
the relations AISES has with many partners,
particularly those in the government,
higher learning, industry, and those who
believe, as we do, in the unique capabilities
that Native Americans bring to the table.
The AISES staff is a tremendous strength
who every day make things happen and help
strengthen relationships and fulfill the
commitments of AISES. AISES has a bright
future as Sarah EchoHawk and her team and
the AISES Board lead us forward. Financially
the organization is strong, the passion high,
and the vision strong. Together we will take
AISES to the next level."

"The most potential in the next 40 years is around tribal enterprises. Taking the best and
brightest people and helping them go back into their communities - bring that expertise
to Indian Country for the betterment of Indian Country. Another area where AISES can
contribute is diversity, as in diversity of thought and perspectives. American Indians grow up
with different experiences that support critical and alternative thinking. Employers should be
harnessing that diversity, which will only strengthen their business. To be competitive today
means bringing in as many alternative ideas as we can."
- SARAH ECHOHAWK

"I see two big opportunities for AISES. First
is to help those who have been part of AISES
over the years and moved into their
professional careers to reconnect with
AISES. They can bring wisdom, experience,
and insight to help the organization grow
and have greater impact. Second, but not in
that order, is reaching out to strengthen
relationships with our tribal leaders. During
my time as a young tribal leader, the advice I
was given was to keep my lawyer close to
provide counsel and insight in any business
dealings. I contend that tribal leaders today
need to keep their STEM professionals
close. Those from the tribe have profound
insight and experience about natural
resource management, key technical issues,
and solutions that tribes need. If I were tribal
chairman today, I would ensure that I had
members of my Band as key advisors when
it comes to natural resource management
and how to use technology to better our
land for our people."

"As a tribal college president, I believe that
expanding our work further into Indian Country
and tribal colleges is an incredible opportunity.
Shortages of STEM professionals abound for
our tribal communities, and research
opportunities are everywhere you look in
TCUs. Students from TCUs are engaging in
AISES, and are excited about the work we do; I
look forward to building that relationship."

- RICK STEPHENS

- NORBERT HILL

- TWYLA BAKER-DEMARAY

"If you think about what we do, we quite
frankly have some of the brightest
American Indian people in the country
associated with the organization. That's a
resource that's unique to AISES."
- SARAH ECHOHAWK

"It's important to increase the number of
chapters as mutual support groups and keep
the AISES brand strong in Indian Country,
which should always be clear that AISES
stands for science and engineering."

- RICK STEPHENS

ON THE CHALLENGES
"The economy is what can
impact the organization the
most. Unlike other nonprofits
that rely on contributions, we
are a workforce development
organization, and if our hiring
resources are affected, their
support for AISES will be
reduced. If people aren't hiring
that will be challenging."
- SARAH ECHOHAWK

34 WINDS OF CHANGE * SPRING 2017

"I think the big challenges will be the political environment we will be functioning in, in these coming few
years. AISES focuses on the work at hand, and that is to
fulfill our mission - substantially increasing the
representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives,
Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations, and
other indigenous peoples of North America in science,
technology, engineering, and math. Science is not
partisan, so our work will continue regardless,
though economic pressures are always a concern."
- TWYLA BAKER-DEMARAY

aises.org

JUSTIN COX PHOTOGRAPHY (STEPHENS, CAREER FAIR)

Rick Stephens speaks at
the 2016 AISES National
Conference in Minneapolis.

http://www.aises.org

Winds of Change - Spring 2017

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