Indigenous Business and Economic Development in the US

Indigenous Business and Economic Development in the USMiriam JorgensenResearch DirectorHPAIED, NNI at UA

Wise Practices in Indigenous Community Development Symposium

Aboriginal Leadership and Management ProgramThe Banff Centre

September 15, 2012

American Indian nation private sector development

© HPAIED & NNI, 2012

The Standard Approach (pretty much what we’ve had for years)

The Nation-Building Approach (invented by Indigenous nations)

Two Approaches to Economic Development in Indian Country

How do these approaches differ, and why does one work so much better than the other?


1. Short-term, non-strategic

2. Views economic development as an economic problem

3. Instead of building an economy step-by-step, looks for the big hits

4. Lets others (usually other governments) set the development agenda

5. Views Indigenous cultures as obstacles to development

The Standard Approach to Development


Short-term thinking

External controls

Political interference in enterprise management

Government instability

In short, the standard approach produces a poor foundation for sustainable development…

Sustainable Development

Home run strategy


What is the alternative?The nation-building approach to (economic) development


The Nation-Building Approach to Development1. Practical self-rule (the nation calls the shots)


The Nation-Building Approach to Development2. Capable governing institutions (back up authority with competence)


The Nation-Building Approach to Development3. Cultural match (governing institutions match community beliefs about how authority should be organized)

1.0 PREAMBLE

WE are the Gitanyow peoples. We have a long-standing and rich oral tradition which speaks to all aspects of our lives.

This written Constitution must be interpreted and understood in the context of our oral history and oral traditions.

The Gitanyow peoples are known collectively as the Gitanyow Nation. The Gitanyow Nation comprises two pdeek, the Lax Gibuu and the Lax Ganeda, organized into eight Wilp. These are the Wilp Lax Gibuu of Gwass Hlaam, Wii‟litsxw, Malii, and Haizimsque and the Wilp Lax Ganeda of Gamlaxyeltxw, Gwinuu, Luuxhon and Watakhayetsxw.

The Lax’yip of each Wilp is embedded in the Git’mgan and is rooted in Gitanyow Adawaak and Ayuuks. Each Wilp owns and has authority over its respective Lax’yip. The Gitanyow Nation Lax’yip are collectively known as the Gitanyow Territory, and are located primarily in the Nass Watershed. A map of the Gitanyow Territory is attached as Schedule 1.


The Nation-Building Approach to Development

4. Strategic orientation (decisions are made with long-term priorities in mind)


The Nation-Building Approach to Development5. Public-spirited leadership (instead of politics as boxing ring where factions fight to control the goodies)


Results of the Nation-Building Approach

More effective access to and use of resources

Increased chances of sustained and self-determined economic development

A more effective defense of sovereignty

Communities – not just economies – that work


None of the characteristics of the Nation-Building approach is something we usually describe as “economic.”

They are all political. In the nation-building approach, development is first and foremost a political problem.

Once the political problem is solved, then economic assets begin to pay off.


Jurisdiction—being in the driver’s seatJurisdiction—being in the driver’s seat

Capable governing institutionsCapable governing institutions

Cultural match—legitimate governing institutionsCultural match—legitimate governing institutions

Strategic orientationStrategic orientation

LeadershipLeadership

Sustainable Development

In short, the nation building approach provides a more solid foundation for sustainable development…


The Nation-Building Approach to Economic Development

Then = circa 1992

What about now?

1. Practical self-rule

2. Capable governing institutions

3. Cultural match/legitimate institutions

4. Strategic orientation

5. Public-spirited leadership


The Nation-Building Approach to Economic Development

What are the contemporary

concerns that make these principles

difficult to implement?

1. Practical self-rule

2. Capable governing institutions

3. Cultural match/legitimate institutions

4. Strategic orientation

5. Public-spirited leadership


Four contemporary tensions in Native nation building

1. Does exercising “practical self-rule” mean all or nothing

sovereignty?



2. Can’t a tribe have capable institutions while still allowing elected officials to

make business management decisions?


X


3. How can a Native nation pursue cultural

match in its institutions and

practices?



4. How can Native nations stay on a

strategic path that looks to the 7th generation?


Nation building… Native nation and First Nation business

development depends on it

Native nation and First nation economic development depends on it

Positive social development outcomes depend on it

And its intimately tied to Native nation and First nation cultural strength

…it’s about building nations and communities that work.

Indigenous Business and Economic Development in the US

Documents

Transcript of Indigenous Business and Economic Development in the US