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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
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BIA Providers Tribal Government Track
Strengthening Tribal Governments Edward K. Thomas
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 Comes From: • Tlingit Aani Our Land Our language • Tlingit Uxutungi • 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 Trust Relationship Is One Of The Most Significant Doctrine Defining the Relationship Between Native Americans and the United States! TheTrust Relationship Of Each And Every Tribe Must Be Preserved!
The principle of “Government-to-Government” relationship is the foundation to federal recognition of sovereign rights and governing powers of each tribe.
Tribes Relationship to: Administrative Branch Congress Courts Other tribes
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
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 • 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!
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!”
Administration • Tribal assets • Employees • Adopt personnel policies • Certified accounting system • Federal / State programs • Current on program policies • Implement council directives • Accountability is essential!
Council Relationship to Administration Political Tribal Citizens Delegates / Executive Council Policy Making Committee A Committee B Committee C Committee D President Administrative Prog 1 Prog 2 Prog 3 Bus. X 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
Client Grievance Progression 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 Complaint progression 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
Staff Grievance Procedure Final Level President • Hear Committee • Recommendations • Make Unappealable Decision 3rd Level Personnel Committee • Remain Open-minded • Gather Info From Both • Meet with Both Document…Document 2nd Level Department Manager • Remain Open-minded • Gather Info From Both • Meet with Both 1st Level Immediate Supervisor • Articulate the Issue • Set Boundaries / Timeframes • Expected Outcomes
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
