Tribal Self-Determination Case Study
Kevin Tom
Tribal Economic Development
Midterm
March 1, 2010
1. Define what is tribal “self-determination”? Discuss how “self-determination” has influenced economic growth in the modern tribal economy.
Tribal self-determination was a way to better life for American Indians. Three main factors were put into place to help American Indians with the self-determination act. The first one is tribal self rule. A second factor would have to be cultural survival. Finally a third factor is tribal economical development. These factors are still apart of modern day tribal economy.
Tribal self rule was established to give American Indian communities a govern nation. Tribes are allowed by federal law to set up governments …show more content…
which are allowed to run as sovereign nations. Many tribes today run governments which include a legislative, judicial, and executive branch.
Cultural survival is a big factor many tribal nations are at risk with. Many languages, prayers and songs are been lost at an extremely fast speed daily. For and example, back in the 1970’s 75% percent of the Navajo Tribe spoke there language and as of today on 9% do.-Independent lens.
Tribal Economical development is still reaching its full potential. Many tribes are turning to Indian gaming and using natural resources to boom economical development in some of the most rural areas in the United States.
2. What do you see as some of the most important factors in your tribal community that has impacted tribal economic development either positive or negative?
As a proud member of the Navajo Nation many factors take place daily to impact our Tribal Economical Development. We have a Tribal Parks and Recreation Department who are always in full swing of attracting tourist. The Navajo Nation built a tribal casino 3 miles out of Gallup who is ranking in money daily. We also have a dumbfounded tribal council who makes it nearly impossible to boom a high profit economic development plan. All these factors play a good and bad role in the Navajo Nations Economical Development
The Tribal Parks and Recreation Department take credit for many economical developments that our tribe receives. They make sure that our tribal parks are suitable for tourist to visit. They also are in charge of our largest fair on our reservation. Many tourist come to our tribe because of the fine job this department does.
Fire Rock Navajo Casino was a long dream many Navajos sought about for years. Finally in Nov. of 2009 our dream came into a reality. Fire Rock Navajo Casino is one of the most gross income earnings Casino in the state of New Mexico . Many on goers who travel the busy interstate of I 40 come by daily to spend to good ole money.
Our Navajo Tribal Council makes our tribe nearly impossible to run self owned business. A majority of the business on the reservation are in conjunction with the tribal government in which makes it nearly impossible to boom into a big privately owned corporation. The Tribal Council is greedy, selfish, uneducated individuals in my opinion.
3.
Describe in detail some of the economical advantages and disadvantages tribes may have to over states in regards to attracting businesses on the reservation?
Many tribes have economical advantages of states to a certain point. As American Indians we have advantage over states with our gaming commissions. We also get federal stimulus money whereas; we keep it on our reservation and do not have to give any to the state level. But many economical disadvantages still exist, for an example we can not have liquor on our reservation. I think it might be a tiny economical development but we could open up a brewery and distribute package liquor. Factors like these are advantages and disadvantages to The Navajo Nation.
4. Discuss the articles and films we saw in class concerning renewable energy. Talk about some pros and cons discussed in the films/articles of having renewable energy on your tribal lands? If not, what form of energy do you think your tribe could take advantage of?
In the films and articles we watched we saw a great deal of controversy concerning renewable energy emerging from tribal lands. Many tribes have scared sites where renewable energy exist therefore oppose taking advantage of it. On the other hand some tribes use renewable energy in “smart greens ways” in which the make a profitable source of
income.
In one of the movies we saw a village in Alaska opposing oil drilling in one of the sacred animal spots. They are trying to preserve this spot and keep it holy. If they were to “sell out” there beliefs and tradition each member of this tribe could be filthy rich. But due the great respect of mother earth, each member willingly opposed oil drilling in that area.
Other ways many native tribes are using renewable energy come to great rewards. Many reservations are located in rural areas where energy can lead to renewable energy. For an example, the Navajo Nation use solar panels on the reservations to provide a source of electric for homes in rural areas. Other tribes use wind term binds to generated power for their energy use.
Tribal Economic Development
Midterm
March 1, 2010
1. Define what is tribal “self-determination”? Discuss how “self-determination” has influenced economic growth in the modern tribal economy.
Tribal self-determination was a way to better life for American Indians. Three main factors were put into place to help American Indians with the self-determination act. The first one is tribal self rule. A second factor would have to be cultural survival. Finally a third factor is tribal economical development. These factors are still apart of modern day tribal economy.
Tribal self rule was established to give American Indian communities a govern nation. Tribes are allowed by federal law to set up governments …show more content…
which are allowed to run as sovereign nations. Many tribes today run governments which include a legislative, judicial, and executive branch.
Cultural survival is a big factor many tribal nations are at risk with. Many languages, prayers and songs are been lost at an extremely fast speed daily. For and example, back in the 1970’s 75% percent of the Navajo Tribe spoke there language and as of today on 9% do.-Independent lens.
Tribal Economical development is still reaching its full potential. Many tribes are turning to Indian gaming and using natural resources to boom economical development in some of the most rural areas in the United States.
2. What do you see as some of the most important factors in your tribal community that has impacted tribal economic development either positive or negative?
As a proud member of the Navajo Nation many factors take place daily to impact our Tribal Economical Development. We have a Tribal Parks and Recreation Department who are always in full swing of attracting tourist. The Navajo Nation built a tribal casino 3 miles out of Gallup who is ranking in money daily. We also have a dumbfounded tribal council who makes it nearly impossible to boom a high profit economic development plan. All these factors play a good and bad role in the Navajo Nations Economical Development
The Tribal Parks and Recreation Department take credit for many economical developments that our tribe receives. They make sure that our tribal parks are suitable for tourist to visit. They also are in charge of our largest fair on our reservation. Many tourist come to our tribe because of the fine job this department does.
Fire Rock Navajo Casino was a long dream many Navajos sought about for years. Finally in Nov. of 2009 our dream came into a reality. Fire Rock Navajo Casino is one of the most gross income earnings Casino in the state of New Mexico . Many on goers who travel the busy interstate of I 40 come by daily to spend to good ole money.
Our Navajo Tribal Council makes our tribe nearly impossible to run self owned business. A majority of the business on the reservation are in conjunction with the tribal government in which makes it nearly impossible to boom into a big privately owned corporation. The Tribal Council is greedy, selfish, uneducated individuals in my opinion.
3.
Describe in detail some of the economical advantages and disadvantages tribes may have to over states in regards to attracting businesses on the reservation?
Many tribes have economical advantages of states to a certain point. As American Indians we have advantage over states with our gaming commissions. We also get federal stimulus money whereas; we keep it on our reservation and do not have to give any to the state level. But many economical disadvantages still exist, for an example we can not have liquor on our reservation. I think it might be a tiny economical development but we could open up a brewery and distribute package liquor. Factors like these are advantages and disadvantages to The Navajo Nation.
4. Discuss the articles and films we saw in class concerning renewable energy. Talk about some pros and cons discussed in the films/articles of having renewable energy on your tribal lands? If not, what form of energy do you think your tribe could take advantage of?
In the films and articles we watched we saw a great deal of controversy concerning renewable energy emerging from tribal lands. Many tribes have scared sites where renewable energy exist therefore oppose taking advantage of it. On the other hand some tribes use renewable energy in “smart greens ways” in which the make a profitable source of
income.
In one of the movies we saw a village in Alaska opposing oil drilling in one of the sacred animal spots. They are trying to preserve this spot and keep it holy. If they were to “sell out” there beliefs and tradition each member of this tribe could be filthy rich. But due the great respect of mother earth, each member willingly opposed oil drilling in that area.
Other ways many native tribes are using renewable energy come to great rewards. Many reservations are located in rural areas where energy can lead to renewable energy. For an example, the Navajo Nation use solar panels on the reservations to provide a source of electric for homes in rural areas. Other tribes use wind term binds to generated power for their energy use.