Working In Indian Country: Building Effective … 2013 LDK Associates, LLC 1 Working In Indian...

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2013 LDK Associates, LLC

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Working In Indian Country:

Building Effective Partnerships

With American Indian Tribes

Winds of Change

2013 MPAEA Conference

Cheyenne, WY

Presented by Larry D. Keown

Author, Consultant, Educator

Artwork by Eugene Ridgely, Jr. (Ridge Bear)

Northern Arapaho


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Working In Indian Country:

Foreword

“&governments or agencies just don’t know us. The biggest letdown of government agencies &

they haven’t educated themselves about us enough. We’re lawyers and foresters and

doctors and teachers & in the present realm. That’s one of the biggest letdowns – non-

education of us”Ivan Posey

Former Chair/Councilman, Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Wyoming


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Introduction And Agenda

• Beyond Business as Usual – The Importance of Leadership in Building Partnerships

• Bringing History Into the Present

• Communicating in a Culturally Diverse Environment

• Respect – The Foundation of Trust and the Platinum Rules in Building Partnerships

• A Taste or Success and Concluding Thoughts


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The Purpose Of This Workshop

&is to provide you with the basic principles of developing effective partnerships with American Indian Tribes and organizations (associations, coalitions, etc.). You will leave with a basic understanding of

– A new leadership paradigm

– American Indian history as it relates to relationships today

– How to communicate in a culturally diverse environment

– The basic principles to building trust, relationships, and partnerships.

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Caveat Number One

Although there are many parallels – the ideas and

concepts presented in this session are intended to be generic and not necessarily specific to any

one tribe. Opinions, practices, and recommendations presented by an individual

represent that individual only and not necessarily

those of any government, tribe, or other entity. I cannot over emphasize the need to consult with

local tribal representatives for customary practices.


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Caveat Number Two

When working with individual tribal members you may encounter a difference between

“Traditional” vs. “Contemporary” thinking and behavior. We focus strongly on the “Traditional”thinking and you need to be aware of the value differences in behavior, communications, and principles that may be encountered in real life

situations.


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Caveat Number Three

The most productive learning environment is one that is interactive. Each of you have skills and experiences that someone else may not. Your skills and experiences are valuable because no one individual has a monopoly on information. I encourage you to actively participate, share your experiences, and most of all – Ask Questions!


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Caveat Number Four

Throughout the session you will see, hear, and read a number of Indian perspectives about

various topics relating to communication, trust, and relationship building. Listen carefully to

what they have to say – their comments will provide valuable insights that can be acquired

only through a trusting relationship. Their

comments will give you a head start!

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An Exercise On

Relationships

What one word comes to mind that defines how you might characterize an effective and

successful partnership with an American Indian tribe, organization, or individual?


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The List Is Long

&but the one that always surfaces to the top is

Respect!Now, it’s easy to say “I respect someone or something,” but how do you put the word

“respect” into action?

That’s the central point of this session. I will introduce you to those actions, behaviors, and American Indian cultural protocols that show

and display respect and bridge cultural differences.


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Beyond Business as Usual – The

Importance of Leadership in

Building PartnershipsSuccessfully building partnerships in Indian

Country requires that you re-examine the way you do business as well as the way you think about the American Indian community. The purpose of this section is to help you shift your thinking in both these areas. In other words, I’m asking you to

experience a paradigm shift.

This paradigm shift is about developing connection and trust in your business partnerships with

American Indian tribes.


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Business As Usual

– We have a great Adult Education program for a

tribe that will benefit them greatly

– Since we are the leaders in this discipline, we need

to show the tribe what we can do for them

– We offer to make a presentation and the tribe

accepts

– We make a great PowerPoint presentation with

graphs, tables, charts, and lots of data to sell our

program

– We tell the tribe it will be “good for them

because&”

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Business As Usual– A tribal leader poses a question and we interrupt

because we’ve heard this question asked many times in the past – we have the answer

– There is no eye contact or body language indicating any interest from tribal leaders

– We try harder explaining our program in more basic and simple terms and benignly become condescending

– At the end of our presentation there are no questions or comments and we are dismissed with a simple “Thank you”


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What Went Wrong?• First, there was no relationship or trust when we

began building our partnership

• Our view of leadership did not fit with that of tribal culture and protocols – we are dealing with a sovereign nation

• We over-explained becoming condescending, patronizing, and pushy

• The tribe was told what we thought was “good for them”

• We may have violated cultural standards and/or protocols


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Leadership – A Contemporary

Definition

• The “Authority Figure” and “Position of Status” in an organization

• Provides “Vision” and “Direction” to an organization

• Keeps an organizations “Compass” pointed in the right direction

• Serves as a “Change Agent”

• “Motivates” people in an organization

• Is looked upon as the “Boss” in our organizational hierarchy


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Leadership – A Different

Approach

Butch Blazer, Past NM State Forester, Mescalero-Apache

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In Mr. Blazer’s Words

For you to get the participation and willingness that you want when building your partnership

with an American Indian tribe, you need to build a respectful, culturally-based relationship and

earn the trust of individual tribal leaders.

“When I say leadership I’m referring more to that cultural understanding of how to effectively

interact with tribal leadership. It’s not something that’s that easy to do.”

Arthur “Butch” Blazer, Past State Forester, New Mexico


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Leadership – A New Approach

“Rather than define leadership either as a position of authority in a social structure or as a personal set of characteristics, we may find it a great deal

more useful to define leadership as an activity. This allows for leadership from multiple positions in a social structure. A president and a clerk can both

lead. It also allows for the use of a variety of abilities depending on the demands of the culture and

situation.”

Ronald A. Heifetz. 1994. Leadership Without Easy Answers. The Belknap Press of Harvard University

Press.


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Applying This Approach

There are two vital points that are applicable to

working in Indian country.

1. Leadership is a set of activities or skills that are adjusted to meet cultural situations.

2. Anyone can provide leadership despite his or

her standing in an organization.

In other words, leadership can be exhibited by anyone in an organization and can be adjusted (by

the activities) to fit any cultural situation, such as

the American Indian community.


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The Premise Of Leadership

Activities

• First and foremost, we need to respect the inherent sovereignty of tribes and remind ourselves that we have no formal authority over

tribal programs and operations

• With that said, our focus needs to be on how we build our partnership through culturally effective

communications, honoring cultural protocols, and ultimately building trust and strong social

and business relationships

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The Premise of Leadership

ActivitiesSpecifically, this means how we &

• Communicate – Listen, ask questions, make statements, make decisions, collaborate, present programs or projects, begin, conduct and end meetings, &

• Develop and Nurture Partnerships – Taking time, allowing for personal time, getting to know someone as a person vs. a business contact, overcome fear, &

• Build Trust – Cope with time issues, manage conflict, appreciate social encounters, respect spiritual etiquette, learn the culture/history, respect cultural protocols, &


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Final Thoughts

• The following lessons on building partnerships are the product of the wisdom I have learned from a cautious but patient Indian community and from tribal members who have become friends, teachers, and mentors to me

• I cannot over-emphasize that I am not an expert in American Indian culture for any specific tribe

• Keep in mind that this presentation is from a non-Indian perspective; someone who has been in your shoes working in both the government and corporate environments


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History From A Different

Perspective

• In the last section, I talked about the necessity of a paradigm shift in your thinking. The first element of that shift was toward leadership; the second is regarding how history is perceived.

• We need to remember that history is a living breathing entity to many American Indian tribes and people. What happened in the past bears directly on how they handle the present.


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A Non-Indian’s World View

Of History

• Our historical memory is based upon what we

learned in school, books we have read, or movies or TV shows that we watched. What we learned in

school about American Indians focused on &

– Columbus discovering America

– The first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims

– Sacajawea accompanying Lewis and Clark

– Famous warriors and chiefs

– Massacres of non-Indian people

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An Indian’s World View

Of History•On the other hand, an American Indian’s memory of history might be fraught with &

– Broken treaties

– Massacres of American Indian women, children, and elders

– Traditional land being taken

– Removal of tribes from their homelands

– Placement on reservations

– Diet changes resulting in long-term health issues

– Surrendering rights and freedoms


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Why The Difference?

American Indians learned of these historical events through oral histories passed from

generation to generation, not in the public school classroom or from a textbook. Their

ancestors, their great grandparents, most likely lived through these events directly.

Consequently, their memories are long and

accurate, often going back centuries.


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Bringing History Into The Present

• The first couple of years while working on the Medicine Wheel, I was often lectured about the &

– Loss of traditional Indian land

– Compromising of rights to fish, hunt, gather, and practice spiritual rites

– Degradation of sacred sites

– Demise of language and culture

– Breaking of treaties and commitments

• All of these have a foundation in history and in the eyes of many American Indians it happened yesterday—not long ago – but yesterday!


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So, What Does This Have To Do

With Partnership Building?• You meet with a tribe with high expectations that

they will immediately embrace your program or proposal – You must understand that&

– You may get lectured on the historical events that affected that tribe – treaties, loss of land, loss of culture, and more

– You work for the government and might be mistrusted

– There are cultural differences when doing business in Indian country – time, expectations, trust, communication protocols, and more

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Ten Ways History Affects

Relationship Building Today

1. Settlement of the West2. Loss of Land

3. Removal and Assimilation

4. Broken Treaties and Promises

5. Reserved Rights6. Historical Distortions

7. Government Controls

8. Termination

9. Tribal Governance

10. Historical Trauma


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1. Settlement Of The West

What started off as friendly overtures to the Lewis and Clark party led to a mass western

movement of settlers claiming, settling, and occupying traditional homelands held dear by

generations of tribes. Even today, we will be reminded by tribal leaders of what was taken

away from their ancestors and that what

remains is a mere fraction of historical holdings.


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2. Loss Of Land

• Judeo-Christian vs. American Indian philosophy – the former considers it simply land, a possession to manage and control, while the latter considers it Mother Earth, sacred, and a means of sustaining life.

• Dialogue will often be framed in terms of, “We have lost so much land, our homelands were taken, and we will do whatever to protect what’s left.”


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3. Removal And Assimilation

• The lesson we learn from removal is that just because a tribe resides in a location

today does not mean they are historically limited to that geographic area.

• Contemporary issues important to a

particular tribe may be evident hundreds or thousands of miles away.

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4. Broken Treaties/Promises

• The animosity felt by American Indians today is understandable when looking at treaties in an international context.

• Treaties ratified by the United States Senate are considered extremely important and strictly adhered to. Very rarely are treaties broken or compromised with other countries.

• The long history of broken treaties and promises is the reason for much of the mistrust and suspicion today towards government officials and business leaders.


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5. Reserved Rights

• Reserved rights have a strong historical foundation and are an issue that we need to be sensitive to today. Reserved rights include hunting, fishing, gathering, and spiritual ceremonies.

• Today these rights may be exercised on what are referred to as unclaimed lands, in other words, lands that are not held in private ownership but owned and managed by the federal government.

• They may include national forests, public lands, wildlife refuges, and national parks.


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5. Reserved Rights

• A grave error often made today by government officials and business leaders is to refer to these rights as “given rights” in the treaty-making process.


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6. Historical Distortions

• I have heard non-Indian people say about the Medicine Wheel, “I’ve never seen an Indian up there, so how can they claim it as theirs? Not only that, but my great-grandparents never saw an Indian up there!”

• Most of these people’s great-grandparents were born in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s, during a time when Indian people were prohibited from practicing traditional and spiritual ceremonies.

• At that time, American Indians avoided, or secretly visited, well-known sacred places such as the Medicine Wheel.

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7. Government Controls

• Historically, strong governmental controls still leave many Indian people with a perception that they are being treated differently and are subject to special rules.

• This goes back to the issue of government and business leaders judging what Indian country should look like.

• If tribes do not meet our expectations or rules in the business environment, such as structure, time, protocol, or procedure, we might make subtle judgments and exhibit behaviors that reinforce the “secondary citizen” syndrome.


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8. Termination

• Another historical event that continues to create anxiety with tribes today is termination.

• It happened once and many believe that it could happen again. All it would take is an Act of Congress to invalidate the existing treaties signed in the 1800’s.

• Many tribes feel, not unrealistically, that the fight to protect sovereignty must be waged on a daily basis.

• Therefore, any program proposed by government officials that may threaten existing treaties, retained rights, tribal sovereignty, land, or culture will be looked at with a jaundiced eye.


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9. Tribal Governance

• The passage of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 sought to promote tribal self-governance and encourage tribes to adopt constitutions.

• Many tribes accepted and many rejected the opportunities provided in the Act. As a result, today one observes a diversity of tribal government structures and levels of self-determination.

• Many tribes have taken advantage of and operate under the “638 Contracts” law that delegates the administration and management of many programs directly to the tribe.


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• Historical trauma is when damage is done to an ethnic or religious group, and the damage in the past is still relevant and applicable to the group’s descendants today.

• Seldom or never do we hear about the historical trauma experienced by American Indians today as a result of the historical events described earlier.

• Consequently, it is important for you to understand how historical trauma has affected Indian people today, and the effects it might have on relationship building.

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• The specific events that led to historical trauma for American Indians may include, but are not limited to &

– Broken treaties and promises

– Forced boarding school attendance

– Outlawed spiritual practices

– Introduction of diseases

– Flooding of homelands (when dams were built on ancestral lands)

– Attacks and killings in tribal communities


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• Historical trauma affects your ability to build respectful working relationships today with American Indians.

• The typical reaction will be anger towards those responsible for, or linked to, the traumatic events that took place.

• This anger is the basis for many of the blunt statements that we in the non-Indian culture may receive.

• Other responses may include discomfort around non-Indians manifested as silence, fear, or even avoiding those outside the American-Indian community.


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A Bittersweet Summary

A rich history that affects : :the way we conduct

business today!


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Communicating In A Culturally

Diverse Environment

“Listen to the voices of our people and the pounding of their hearts”

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A Communication Breakdown

During a meeting about 10 years ago, between a federal agency and numerous

Indian tribes regarding the Medicine Wheel, an Indian representative made the following

statement:

“I’ll tell you anything you want to hear!”


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Speaking Of Communication

Breakdowns

“Do not flush anything down the toilet

except toilet paper.”

Sign in a Chamber of Commerce

Restroom


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Barriers To Effective

Communication• Before you work on building partnerships, you

must understand that there are human factors, communication filters, which we’re often not aware of and that we use to evaluate, judge, and finally, to draw conclusions about others.

• These filters become barriers to effective communication and building partnerships with tribes

• We must overcome them first in order to move forward productively.


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A Communication Model

Send er R ece iver

F il ters

• Val ues

• A ttitud es • Bi as es

• H os tility

• Ba g gag e • Pe rce ptio ns

• L a ck of trus t

Filters

• Va lue s • Atti tudes

• Bia se s

• Hos tili ty • Bag ga ge

• Pe rc epti ons

• La c k of trus t

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Questions To Ask OurselvesWhat are some of the filters (perceptions) non-Indian people have about Indian people?

Bruce Sun Child, Rocky Boys Indian Reservation, Chippewa –

Cree, Montana

Aaron Miles, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho


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Questions To Ask Ourselves

What are some of the filters (perceptions) Indian people have about non-Indian people?

Delmar “Poncho” Bigby, Planner, Ft. Belknap Indian Community,

Montana

Eddie Tullis, Chairman, Poarch Band of Creeks, Alabama


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Concluding Thoughts On The

Communications Model

• We cannot let our past experiences with tribal individuals, or even organizations, cloud our filters.

• We must come with an open mind free of any perceptions or biases.

• We must recognize that there may be other cultural behaviors taking place, and we should not draw conclusions based on our own cultural values, e.g. time, body language, silence, etc.


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Communication Protocols

Communication protocols are meant to help make the communication situation more

“user friendly” so that real communication can happen. When communication is open,

ideas are flowing, and when that happens, trust and partnerships are built.

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The Ten Communication

Protocols• The Moccasin Telegraph or Modern Day Networking

• Indian Speeches

• Listening and Responding*

• Asking Questions*

• Delayed Responses

• Communicating in a Meeting Environment

• Communicating Through Authority and Decisions

• Body Language*

• Humor in Communications

• Dress Communicates


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Authenticity – A Caveat

• Don’t try to imitate or mimic American

Indians

• Be authentic

• Do what’s comfortable for you

• Don’t be afraid to step outside your own

comfort zone if invited

• Most Importantly – Be Yourself!


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Listening And Responding

Protocols

“Many attempts to communicate

are nullified by saying too

much.”— Robert Greenleaf


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Cultural Implications To

Listening and Responding

•Respect the words of the speaker by allowing him/her to finish their thoughts, statements, and beliefs

•Body language conveys messages

•Words are chosen wisely

•Words should focus on the positive

•Words can create a “self-fulfilling prophecy”

•Careless words may result in poor decisions

“Words are Sacred!”

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Listening & Responding Tips

• Don’t interrupt – this is considered disrespectful in the Indian culture – or any culture for that matter.

• Use active listening – look at the person and display interest in what he or she is saying.

• Avoid side conversations.

• Don’t leave the room – however, know whom you are listening to and his/her level of authority to speak – walking out may send a negative message.


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Listening & Responding Tips

• Talk from the heart – not as a bureaucrat• Initially, when opening a meeting, you might

ask a simple question (Why is the ___________ so important to you?) and allow everyone to respond.

• The statement you make regarding an issue will live with you throughout the process.

• Avoid “closed” answers like “yes” or “no”unless you are making a definite decision. If you do make a decision, never forget your answer.


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A Tribal Perspective

Aaron Miles, Natural Resource Manager, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho


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Asking Questions

• How you approach a tribe can determine your future ability to communicate and

make progress.

• Many times we approach tribes with the attitude “We have this great program for

you and it will be great for you because &”

• This is not a good approach because of the historical events that affect the

response we might receive.

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A Perspective

Ben Speakthunder, Past President, Ft. Belknap Indian Community, Montana


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Approaching A Tribe With A

Statement

How you phrase your communication will determine the

response you get. For example,

consider the following:

“My agency has $50,000 for

your tribe to weatherize homes

on the reservation. It’s a great

deal for the tribe because…”


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The Tribal Reaction

The response you may get is based on your knowledge of tribal issues, the relationship you have with the tribe, and the level of trust built.

“Who does this guy

think he is telling us

what’s good for the

tribe? How would

he know?”


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A More Effective Approach

Use a question rather than a statement, such as &

“My agency has $50,000 available to

weatherize homes on the reservation.

Would you share with me how this may

or may not benefit your tribe and the

Crow people?”

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A Tribal Perspective

Jim St. Arnold, Keweenaw Indian Community, Ojibwa, Michigan


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Body Language

• Why won’t the Indian person look me in the eye when I’m talking to him or her? They never look interested.

• Why do many Indian people have a weak, timid, or unassertive handshake?

• I was pointing at someone to make a point and they totally disregarded me after that.

• I left the room during a meeting to use the restroom and everyone ignored me after that.


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Value Differences

American Indian Anglo American

• Sometimes Little

or No Eye Contact--

Disrespectful

• Less Physical Acknowledgement

• Patient/Passive Temperament

• Little or No Eye

Contact – Indicates Mistrust / Suspicion

Lack of Interest

• Much Physical Encouragement

• Anxious/Aggressive Temperament


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About Body Language

Late Delmar “Poncho” Bigby, Planner,

Ft. Belknap Indian Community, Montana

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A Few Platinum Rules To

Partnership, Trust, And

Relationship Building With

American Indian Tribes

Respect is the foundation of trust!


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Prologue“One time, the City of Asotin, Washington, was digging a pipeline. They were redoing their city water system. They were digging pretty deep and come across some remains. Two of them. So they stopped right there and they called the tribe. I have to commend these people from Asotin. The Tribe got ahold of me and took my singers – my Long House people – out there. We placed the remains, buried them , and took care of them in the right way. And the city was so nice about it. It was so beautiful that they felt this way.”

Horace Axtell, A Little Bit of Wisdom, Nez Perce Elder


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Respect Builds Trust

Respect is the foundation of building trust. It is obvious that without respect one cannot expect to be effective or successful in building trust or those valuable relationships needed to accomplish work—any work. This is particularly true with American Indian tribes because respect is central to so much of what they believe, far more than in our Euro-centric, non-Indian world. We can learn much from American Indians about respect, which we can

use in all aspects of our lives.


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Respect The Indian Way

“For example, when you harvest a deer for food

and clothing you give thanks to that deer for

allowing itself to be taken by you—it is a gift.

You respect that gift. Most everything in life is a

gift and when you start disrespecting these gifts you start taking them for granted and eventually

those gifts will not be given to you. The same

goes for interactions amongst people. For

instance, respecting an elder goes beyond them

personally and includes what they have to offer in terms of wisdom, teaching, and material

items&

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Respect The Indian Way

When you dishonor that respect towards an elder,

you lose more than just the elder, but all the gifts they have to give you in life. It’s like a circle, you

give respect and you receive respect in a

perpetual cycle. This is what is ingrained into

American Indian society over eons and defines

who they are.”

Jim St. Arnold, Keweenaw Indian Community, Ojibwa, Michigan


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The Platinum Rule• We have all heard the Golden Rule, “Do

unto others as you would have them do unto you. ”

• We are going a little further in our thinking and applying the Platinum Rule which says, “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.”

• There is a stark difference in these two rules. One assumes that everyone wants to be treated as we want to be treated; the other assumes we treat people as they want to be treated.


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The Platinum Rule

This simple concept is significant when attempting to partnerships with American

Indian Tribes. If we apply the Platinum Rule we are honoring culture. We are

applying the principles of mutual respect, and that is the only kind of respect that is worth all your care and attention.


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The Twelve Platinum Rules

1. Shed the Bureaucratic Image

2. Overcome Fear and Intimidation

3. Exhibit Patience with Time Issues*

4. The Tribe is Your Client (Customer)*

5. Cultivate Social Relationships*

6. Acknowledge Prayers and Spirituality

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7. The Spirit of Gift Giving

8. Respect Confidentiality

9. Survive When You Are Put to the Test

10. Show Progress

11. Provide Assistance to Tribes

12. Celebrate Successes

The Twelve Platinum Rules


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Platinum Rule – Exhibit Patience

With Time Issues

“Respect our concept of time.

Everyone arrives when they get there

to a meeting.”

Cante Ethanhan Owaglake, Speaking From The Heart,

Customs and Norms for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,

Standing Rock Tourism Alliance


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Time

• The Indian culture, as many of us know, may work on a different system of “time.”

• Often called “Indian Time,” it has other names in other cultures – CPT!

• Remember though, many American Indian people do operate on a contemporary system of time.


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Definition Of Time

• Perry Mathews, past tribal liaison for the State of Wyoming, gave me a very important perspective on Indian Time.

• When we were working together he took it out of the dichotomy of good-versus-bad.

• He explained that Indian Time is a concept that focuses on the end product being more important than the time it takes to get there.

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Time

• You can’t fight, force, fast forward, or

accelerate “Indian Time.”

• You must face the fact that it may take

more time than what we experience in

our contemporary culture.

• PATIENCE is the key behavior!


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Coping With Time Issues

• Always find comfort in the fact that a quality outcome will almost always offset the time it takes to accomplish your goal.

• Our contemporary idea of how to get from point A to point B may not be the most efficient culturally.

• The longer route we envision as being ineffective is an important component of the trust building process.

• I have never been disappointed in the outcome even though my idea of the path to the end result was much different from what actually emerged.


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Hints To Managing “Time”

Value Differences

• Look at the process as a journey.

• You may have to plan on 3-4 more time units to accomplish a project.

• Use the time to build trust and develop relationships.

• Use the time to become a student of the Indian culture.

• Find comfort in the fact that a quality outcome will offset the time it takes to get there.


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Hints To Managing “Time”

Value Differences• Do not use a time driven agenda for meetings.

Instead, prioritize your topics and go down the list as far as time permits. Be sure to consult with tribes on their agenda desires.

• Build your agenda to facilitate beginning the meeting on time –

– 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Refreshments and Social

– 10:00 a.m. Opening Comments

• Consider inviting tribal guests to an evening event the day before the meeting, e.g. a meal, presentation, social, etc.

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Words of Wisdom

Solo Greene, Education Specialist, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho


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Platinum Rule – The Tribe

Is Your Client (Or Customer) –

Learning About American Indian

Culture/History And Protocol

Build partnerships by showing interest and learning about another – in other

words “Walk in an Indian’s Shoes”


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A Legitimate Question

• “WHY are we in government or business the ones expected to learn American

Indian culture?”

• “WHY can’t Indians just operate the way

everyone else does?”


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A Rational Conclusion

• Because the dominate society is a diversity of cultures, many tend to lose, forget, or ignore their own heritage.

• The American Indian culture focuses strongly on and practices the culture – to retain and revitalize it!

• There are traditional protocols tribes choose to operate under since they are sovereign nations

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A Rational Conclusion

• Look at it this way – Why doesn’t the State of Washington operate like California? Why doesn’t Washington State University operate like Harvard? Why doesn’t the Forest Service operate like the Park Service?

• In conclusion – there is “NO ONE RIGHT WAY” and governments operate on the basis of their traditions, cultures, heritage, and will of the people.


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Importance Of Learning

Eddie Tullis, Chairman, Poarch Band of Creeks, Alabama


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Learning Sources

• Visit a Tribe and/or

Reservation – Tribes are very open to arranging a

tour of their reservation.

• Visit a Tribal Cultural Center – Most tribes have

a cultural center that preserves the history of

the specific tribal culture.


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Learning Sources

• Read a Book – Tribal

cultural centers are an excellent place to acquire

recommendations about local American Indian

culture. Remember though, not all books are

credible, so ask first.

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Learning Sources

• Visit an official tribal web site. Be sure it is the official web site for a particular tribe. Many tribal web sites have extensive information on their history, culture, government, etc.

• Tribal college web sites sometimes have in-depth information about local tribes. The American Indian Higher Education Consortium has a wealth of information about tribal colleges – http://www.aihec.org.


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Learning Sources

• Participate in Tribal Events

– there are numerous opportunities (Powwows,

Fairs, etc.) at each tribe or reservation. Consult the

tribal cultural center or periodicals for event dates.


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Learning Sources

• If you are fortunate, and once trust is built, you may

be invited to participate in a private ceremony.

• Accept invitations to

ceremonies (you may only have one chance).


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Learning Sources

• Be Inquisitive – Meet with a tribal representative or traditional person and demonstrate interest in the American Indian culture. Remember to be sensitive to topics that are protected by the culture.

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Concluding Thoughts On

Learning• As you learn about tribal culture you are better

prepared to address issues that might affect American Indian culture.

• Demonstrate your knowledge (not expertise) to American Indian people by asking questions. This sends a message that you are genuinely interested in American Indian culture.

• Continue to be a student of American Indian culture and use the information you acquire to continually build trust and effective working relationships.


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Platinum Rule – Cultivate Social

Relationships

Developing a social relationship with Indian people Is paramount to

building partnerships!


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Why Social Relationships Are

Important• Due to the historical implications mistrust

exists today.

• Social Relationships are the foundation to building trust and partnerships.

• Once trust is established, social relationships lead to more efficient and effective working relationships.

• Social relationships may have to be developed before conducting business.


100

Why Social Relationships Are

Important

• Social Relationships will accelerate the achievement of your goals and objectives.

• Social Relationships may lead to lasting friendships.

• And, you may even learn about things you have always had questions about, such as, “How did you get your last name?” or “What does your last name mean?”

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Benefits Of Social Relationships

• It’s much easier to address issues when a social relationship is developed.

• Social relationships build trust and working relationships more rapidly.

• It is more difficult for a person you have developed a social relationship with to attack you in public – the focus of hostility will be towards the system you represent, rather than you personally.

• Social relationships build alliances that protect the progress you make in your endeavors.


102

Tips And Hints About Social

Contacts

• Arrange social meetings on neutral turf, e.g., a restaurant for coffee. Offices are not conducive to social meetings.

• If ever invited to an Indian person’s house, accept the opportunity.

• Discuss YOUR interests – family, hobbies, career, background, etc.

• Inquire about THEIR interests – family, hobbies, skills, background, etc.


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Tips And Hints About Social

Contacts

• During meetings use breaks to develop social contacts – introduce yourself to American Indian people at the meeting.

• Arrange for lunch to be brought into your meeting room and mix with the various participants.


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A Perspective On Social

Relations

Eugene Ridgley, Wind River Tribal College, Northern Arapaho, Wyoming

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Parting Comments On

Partnership Building

Eugene Ridgley, Wind River Tribal College, Northern Arapaho,

Wyoming

Russ Townsend, THPO, Eastern Cherokee Tribe, North Carolina


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A Final Thought

It is vital to remember that these practices are not mine, but those articulated by tribal leaders themselves. I merely have had the honor of sharing them from the perspective

of someone in your shoes!


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The Benefits Of Building Successful

Partnerships With American Indian

Tribes

In my personal and business experiences working

with tribes, it wasn’t the success of any particular

project that was most important to me. Rather it

was the journey – the teaching and wisdom

imparted to me by elders, the lessons on trust and relationships taught by tribal leaders, and most

importantly the friendships of those in the American

Indian community that will live with me forever!


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The Dedication in my new book “Working in Indian Country” sums it

up appropriately :

To all in the American Indian community who led me on this journey – those who taught, those who exhibited untiring patience, and those who

trusted.

You became my teachers, my mentors, and most importantly, my friends.

Credits

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More Resources• In January 2011, I released my book, “Working In Indian Country: Building Successful Business Relationships With American Indian Tribes”

• It provides an exhaustive discussion of&

– Leadership

– History

– The Ten Communication Protocols

– The Twelve Platinum Rules, and

– The Business Environment when Working in Indian Country

• Available at www.workinginindiancountry.com


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Workshop Summary And

Conclusions

I wish you the best in your endeavors and hope you have benefited from what I have shared

and please free to contact me with questions or to just visit about your tribal partnership.

[email protected]

http://www.workinginindiancountry.com

307-751-0540

Working In Indian Country: Building Effective … 2013 LDK Associates, LLC 1 Working In Indian...

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