A New Paradigm: The Indian Country Economy

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A New Paradigm The Indian Country Economy
A PowerPoint presentation by Alan Parker, faculty
for Native Law Policy The Evergreen State
College, Olympia WA June 19, 2006
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The Indian Country EconomyA New Paradigm

• Websters defines an economy as a system of
  producing, distributing and consuming wealth.
• Each Tribal Nation is responsible for designing
  its own tribal economy based on its own economic
  policies and strategies.
• Tribal economies have much in common.

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What is the Indian Country Economy?

• Indian Country Economy (ICE) the collective
  resource base, production capabilities and
  service capacity in all of Indian Country.
• Tribal sovereignty is used to give competitive
  advantage to tribal enterprises in the
  marketplace .
• Produced in Indian Country is a brand label
  for some Indian Country products.
• Strategic Geographic Location is a valuable
  asset and an economic resource of the ICE.

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The Tribal Gaming Example

• Tribal Gaming is common to many tribal economies.
• Tribal sovereignty creates the opportunity for
  tribal gaming.
• Federal law requires tribal gaming enterprises be
  owned by the tribe.
• Class III tribal gaming requires a state-tribal
  compact.

Pawnee Nation Plans 100 Million Casino Resort
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What other elements are common to the Indian
Country Economy?
Dakota Dunes opens in 2006

• Tribal ownership means all tribal members have a
  stake in tribal economy.
• Natural and environment friendly is
  associated with Native American products.
• Tribal economic success tribal political
  strength in the local and state political
  economy.

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Besides Gaming what common resources make up the
ICE?

• Indian Country regions a distinctive mix of
  natural resources.
• Pacific NW tribes have fisheries and timber.
• Fossil fuel energy, wind and hydro are abundant
  in the Rockies.
• Indian Agriculture base in mid-west livestock
  and crops.
• Southwest tribes location broadband telecom.
  opportunities.
• Tribal contracting preferences for government
  procurement.

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Are there common economic strategies among tribes?

• Most sectors of ICE have created an intertribal
  support organization. (e.g., timber, agriculture,
  gaming, etc.)
• The highest priority has been job creation
• The next highest is diversification locally
• Tribal independence is a strong tradition and
  there are few examples of tribal joint ventures.
• Buy-Indian is not widely practiced by tribes

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Examples of joint business deals

• Four Fires, LLC and Three Fires, LLC
• Mohegan, Pequot, etc., intertribal investment in
  gaming.
• Native American National Bank.
• Alaska Native Regional Corporations.
• More?

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WHAT IS THE NEW PARADIGM?

• A rising tide lifts all boats! Economically
  and politically.
• Tribes with capital systematically invest in The
  Indian Country Economy (syndicates, mutual funds
  and Indian investment vehicles)
• These investments offer competitive options for
  risk and reward.
• Intertribal trade and investment puts tribal
  sovereignty to work

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The New Paradigm continued

• Tribes with common resources join together to
  access new markets.
• Marketing cooperatives serve common sectors of
  ICE access higher end markets
• Tribal suppliers with strong management and
  quality control serve tribal retailers
  (casino-based food service enterprises, etc.)

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What steps lead to the ICE vision?

• Indian supplier Indian buyer models - tribal
  buy-Indian policies.
• Business research proves feasibility and
  multiplier effects
• Business schools conduct due diligence and
  document economic values for each sector of the
  ICE
• Financial instruments, programs and institutions
  need Indian expertise to serve tribal investors
  and enterprises
• Tribal investment needed for research programs

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The Indian Country Economy

• A Powerful vision
• An emergent Reality
• A realistic game plan for today and tomorrow!

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