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BIA Providers Tribal Government Track Strengthening Tribal Governments Edward K. Thomas Knowledge is Strength! Know: • • • • • • • • Change is inevitable Your people’s history Principles of Tribal Sovereignty Federal – Tribal Relations The value of well documented tribal policies The importance of good management systems The importance of accountability Tribal politics Tribal Governments Have Been Changing Since The Beginning Of Time… Tribal People have always governed themselves! Traditional Tribal Governments Contemporary Tribal Governments Modern Tribal Governments A Guiding Principle! Make Sure You Control Change… Or it will control you! Tribal Sovereignty Tribal Sovereignty Comes From: • Tlingit Aani Our Land • Tlingit Uxutungi Our language • Ax leewk Has Our forefathers • The People We had Tribal Sovereignty before we had federal recognition and the right to manage federal programs Sovereignty is a gift to us from the creator – It was not granted to us by any other nation We appreciate those who recognize and respect our sovereignty Under-mining Sovereign Powers • Indirect cost shortfalls • Frivolous program regulations • Diversion of funds through non-tribal entities • Court rulings against tribes • Do not diminish sovereignty! – Under-mines sovereign powers Federal Trust Responsibility Federal Trust Trust Relationship Is One Of The Most Significant Doctrine Defining the Relationship Between Native Americans and the United States! The Trust Relationship Of Each And Every Tribe Must Be Preserved! The principle of “Government-toGovernment” relationship is the foundation to federal recognition of sovereign rights and governing powers of each tribe. Government-togovernment Relations Tribes Relationship to: • • • • Administrative Branch Congress Courts Other tribes Politics Building / Sustaining Relationships • • • • • • Local Tribal Corporate Municipalities State Federal Knowing, understanding, and practicing separation of powers is critical! Separation of Powers • Legislative • Administrative • Judiciary Separation of Powers Policy overlap Judiciary Legislative Administrative Overlap • While there is always some overlap between the tribal powers for administrative and for purposes of coordination the practice of one entity providing another entity direction on a daily or regular basis is not acceptable Legislative Legislative • • • • • • • • People Assembly Council Pass resolutions Adopt policies Tribal statutes Adopt Admin Budget Receive audit report It is critically important that the highest elected tribal official speak on behalf of the Tribe! Meetings Most Important… “What do you expect of your meetings?” Meetings • • • • • • Get business done Formulate policies Amend policies Hear & evaluate reports Approve / Disapprove recommendations Unify & strengthen tribe – Resolve differences Become the expert on Robert’s Rules of Order Take a class if you have to! Meetings – (Continued) • Send out notice of meeting • Always have an agenda • Always do a roll call – Establish a quorum • Make motions and limit discussion to subject matter • Record minutes Keep in mind to…. Always conduct yourself for the good of the “order!” For The Good Of The Order • “Order” is defined as the organization that benefits from the meeting as well as the gathering, as a whole • What is best for the Tribe? • What is best for the Council as a whole? • What is best for the membership? • What is best for the current business before the Council or Committee? Start meetings on time! There is no such thing as “Indian Time!” Administrative Administration • • • • • Tribal assets Employees Adopt personnel policies Certified accounting system Federal / State programs – Current on program policies • Implement council directives • Accountability is essential! Political Tribal Citizens Delegates / Executive Council Committee A Committee B Committee C Committee D President Administrative Policy Making Council Relationship to Administration Prog 1 Prog 2 Bus. X Prog 3 Bus. Y Personnel Management • • • • • • • Create atmosphere of fairness Adopt Code of Ethics Competitive benefits Written progressive discipline policy Career development Leadership development Deal with clients fairly Political Involvement: Executive Council / Delgates • Phone calls • E-mails • Letters Minimizing political involvement in client management is important! 3rd Level Office of the President • Question all involved • Secure client files • Assign to committee 2nd Level Department Manager • Gather info from both • Meet with both • Remain open-minded 1st Level No Response To Client • Phone call not returned • Award not issued • Paperwork not completed Complaint progression Client Grievance Progression Final Level President 3rd Level Personnel Committee 2nd Level Department Manager 1st Level Immediate Supervisor • Hear Committee Recommendations • Make Unappealable Decision • Remain Open-minded • Gather Info From Both • Meet with Both • Remain Open-minded • Gather Info From Both • Meet with Both • Articulate the Issue • Set Boundaries / Timeframes • Expected Outcomes Document…Document Staff Grievance Procedure Leadership Leadership • The ability to influence a group of people toward the achievement of goals. • Having a vision for the group that shapes its goals • Taking responsibility to improve the capacity of the group to achieve its goals • Taking responsibility to improve the groups’ structure, climate and communication • Influencing other members of the group to become focused and productive Skills Associated with Leadership • Let go of things others can do – Let go of tasks and responsibilities that will help others develop – Let go of authority to make decisions about the work – Know what others in the group can do and want to do – Build people's skills to take over by involving them in the work Skills Associated with Leadership • Encourage initiative, ideas, & risk taking – Actively seek ideas and suggestions from the work group – Allow people to run with an idea, even if it might involve some risk – Reward and recognize ideas and initiative through compliments, formal recognition, and, whenever possible, tangible rewards – Be careful not to put down or discount ideas Skills Associated with Leadership • Ensure that people have goals and know how they're doing – Encourage the work group to take a lead role in setting goals and assessing their own performance – Ensure that goals are clear and understandable – Let people know how they're doing in meeting goals and provide the guidance and support they need to meet them Skills Associated with Leadership • Delegate to challenge, develop, & empower – Delegate to challenge and develop people – Delegate authority to make decisions – Provide a clear understanding of the responsibility, amount of authority, expectations, and constraints – Set up controls so that group members can be apprised of progress, but that aren't seen as restrictive Skills Associated with Leadership • Coach to ensure success – Coach before the person begins the task or assumes the responsibility and along the way as needed – Make coaching a regular part of everyone’s job – Use coaching sessions to guide and instruct, while maintaining or enhancing the self-esteem of the person being coached. Skills Associated with Leadership • Reinforce good work and good attempts – Use verbal praise frequently – Know the kind of reinforcement that works best for each person – Provide tangible reinforcement whenever possible (for example, recognition letters, awards, or gifts) – Remember to reinforce what someone does well even when his or her work has a few flaws Skills Associated with Leadership • Share information, knowledge, & skills – Meet with the group regularly to share and update information – Make sure people have the information they need to succeed in a task or responsibility or know where and how to get it – Share their insights, knowledge, expertise, and skills Skills Associated with Leadership • Value, trust, and respect each individual – Show that you trust and respect people by encouraging them to take control of their jobs with the authority to take action – Take every opportunity to compliment people for good work, creative ideas, and contributions to the group. – Listen to people and empathize with their problems and concerns – Never to put people down or minimize their contributions Skills Associated with Leadership • Provide support without taking over – Understand that support is essential and know when it's needed – Know techniques for supporting others, such as coaching, reinforcing, preparing for resistance, and gaining others' commitment – Resist the temptation to take over when things go wrong – Tell people they're important and show them through actions Skills Associated with Leadership • Practice what you preach – Let go, but also support people through the rough spots of a new assignment instead of punishing them for mistakes or taking over – Ask for ideas, but also empower people to implement their ideas-- especially those that involve some risk – Tell people they're important and show them through actions What does it all mean? • Investments are more than just assets, products and markets, they are: – Culture – People and did I mention….. – PEOPLE Difference Between a Non-Native and Native Leader A non-Native leader has followers… A Native leader has to figure out if he has followers…or if he is being chased! Conclusion Keep up with the times… There is no value in pitting effective tribal governance against your culture! Incorporate your culture into tribal business business in an honorable way. Thank you for your kind attention… Gunalcheesh! Haawaa!