RESOURCES

"An Introduction to Nation Building"

NATIVE NATION BUILDING TV: Segment 1

In this segment, An Introduction to Nation Building, interview guests Manley Begay and Stephen Cornell chronicle the ongoing research of NNI as well as the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. They articulate the five keys to successful community and economic development for Native nations—sovereignty (genuine self-rule), effective institutions of self-governance, cultural match, strategic orientation, and leadership.

NATIVE NATIONS FEATURED

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

Wire harness manufacturing plant worker, Mississippi Choctaw
(Courtesy: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians)

With few natural resources and no proximity to a prime market, the Mississippi Choctaw nevertheless rose from poverty to become a regional leader in economic development. During the self-determination era, the tribe began wrestling jurisdiction away from state and federal governments, developed capable governing institutions, and crafted a strategic plan for the future aimed at self-sufficiency.

Today the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is considered by some to be “The Singapore of Indian Country.” As of four years ago, the Mississippi Choctaw Tribe was the second-largest employer in the state and the single largest employer in Neshoba County. A diverse array of tribal industries has fueled the creation of more than 9,300 permanent full-time jobs, with half of those going to non-Indians. The tribe owns and operates the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, Mississippi which is comprised of the Silver Star Hotel and Casino, the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, and the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, Geyser Falls Water Theme Park, Clearwater Key Beach, and the world's first Hard Rock Beach Club. Other tribal enterprises include Choctaw Electronics Enterprise, First American Printing and Direct Mail, and Choctaw Forestry Enterprise.

To learn more:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Article: "Mississippi Choctaw Opening Manufacturing Plant"
Article: " Mississippi Choctaw Launch Advertising Campaign"
Radio Broadcast: "Mississippi Choctaw Find Economic Success"

Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Citizen Potawatomi Nation headquarters
(Courtesy: NNI)

In the 1970's the Citizen Potawatomi Nation controlled little land and had little money. Thirty years later, it plays an increasingly critical role in the economic life of Central Oklahoma. Chairman Rocky Barrett says their success can be attributed to nation-building. The Nation's governmental structure consists of executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary-Treasurer comprise the Executive Committee. The legislative branch is comprised of these three elected officials and the two Business Committee members. The Tribal Constitution provides for a separation of powers between the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Indian Council, the Executive Officers, the Business Committee, the Judicial Branches of the Tribal Government, and the Election Committee. Tribal leaders credit this institutional separation and clarity with fueling their economic development plans.

The Citizen Potawatomi Nation, with its diversified economic portfolio, employs more workers than any other employer in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation's philosophy is that economic development is in the best interest of both tribal members and non-Indians and benefits the larger community. The Nation's business and gaming endeavors have produced many new jobs, increased tourism, and reduced poverty and unemployment. Nation enterprises include First National Bank and Trust Co., Fire Lake Grand Casino, Fire Lake Casino, Fire Lake Golf Course, Legends 1450 AM, and Fire Lake Discount Foods.

To learn more:
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Speech by Rocky Barrett, Chairman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
---- (Introduced by Stephen Cornell, Tucson, Ariz., December 1999)
Article: "Citizen Potawatomi Nation Awarded Treasury Grant"
Article: "Oklahoma Tribe in Line to Buy Ailing Water District"

Mohawk Council of Akwesasne

Angus Mitchell Memorial Community Center
(Courtesy: Mohawk Council of Akwesasne)

The territory of the Akwesasne Mohawk is geographically unique and jurisdictionally challenging. Aside from having the international border bisecting their territory, Akwesasne's Canadian land is split between the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. occupy a geographically unique territory, having an International Border running through their Territory and, having the two provinces of Quebec and Ontario within the Canadian side of Akwesasne. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, the elected system of government, established the Justice Department.

In 1991, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne established its Justice Department to deal with its complex jurisdictional issues. The mission of the Akwesasne Justice Department is to develop a comprehensive community justice program for Akwesasne based on traditional Akwesasne principles. The Council also created the Akwesasne Mohawk Court, which provides the community with an adjudication service that covers offenses under Mohawk Council bylaws, community laws, and provincial statutes adopted by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

In addition, the Akwesasne Probation and Parole Program was established with the philosophy that Mohawk people, knowledgeable about their culture and articulate with their language, trained in the principles of corrections were better positioned to offer a meaningful service to offenders from the community . Finally, the Community Justice Program, comprised of two components, a Diversion Program and a Native Courtworker Program, provides community members with an alternative to the mainstream court process in a culturally appropriate forum.

To learn more:
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne
Article: "Projects Recognized at Honoring Nations Banquet"
Article: "Let the Games Begin: Akwesasne Compact Finally Ratified"

Pueblo de Cochiti

Pueblo de Cochiti
(Courtesy: Arizona State Museum)

Cochiti Pueblo governs itself through a traditional theocracy, a system of government deeply rooted in Pueblo traditions that it has relied on for centuries. The Cochiti have no elections, no legal codes, and no written constitution. Each year, a spiritual leader known as the cacique appoints a war chief, lieutenant war chief, governor, lieutenant governor, major fiscale, lieutenant fiscale, and other tribal officials. Former tribal officials serve life terms on the Cochiti Pueblo Council and are responsible for policy development and other matters based on consensus decision-making. The Cochiti Pueblo also operates its own tribal court system.

Today, Cochiti Pueblo is among the most economically successful tribes in the region. The Pueblo's economy is supported in large part by tribally owned enterprises in the retail, tourism, and agricultural sectors. The tribe owns the Cochiti Community Development Corporation (CCDC) which conducts business primarily in the construction and service industries. Pueblo owned Cochiti Lake, a large recreational area, provides the Pueblo its largest source of revenue. The tribe also owns an upscale retirement community and operates one of the nation's top twenty-five public golf courses.

To learn more:
Pueblo de Cochiti
Article: "Golf Courses Become Environmental Stewards"


Native Nations mentioned:
Osage Nation
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
San Carlos Apache Tribe
Crow Tribe
Northern Cheyenne Tribe
Membertou First Nation
Siksika First Nation
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Gila River Indian Community
White Earth Band of Objibwe
Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa

URL links verified June 30, 2006

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