revenue generation

The Impact of the Pandemic on Native American Communities: Interview with Joseph Kalt

Year

As COVID-19 tears across Indian Country, tribal governments are racing to meet not only the public health challenges caused by the pandemic, but are also grappling with the economic devastation left in its wake. To learn more about the economic crisis unfolding across Indian Country, the Ash Center spoke with Joe Kalt, the Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, Emeritus and co-director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, which is housed at the Ash Center. Professor Kalt and his research colleagues at the Harvard Project recently sent a policy memo to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin outlining many of the unique economic challenges many of the nation’s 574 federally recognized tribes are facing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sharing the Wealth

Author
Producer
Native Science Report
Year

In recent years, there has been increased discussion of Universal Basic Income (UBI) programs for the US. In fact, one of the Democratic candidates for president has championed the UBI program as an important component of his platform. UBI in its simplest form is a cash-transfer program that provides a guaranteed amount of income to recipients without any minimum income conditions, verification of unemployment status, or the presence of household children. Cash-transfer programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), unemployment insurance (UI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may require verification of several of those conditions described above. UBI, in contrast, sends government funds to all households regardless of their financial needs, employment conditions, or family composition. The rationale is that a basic level of income will provide households with resources that will allow them to make decisions unconstrained by government bureaucracy. A household may spend the money in areas where it needs it most – childcare, rent, health care, or anything else...

People
Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

Akee, R. (2019, November 5). Sharing the wealth. Native Science Report. https://nativesciencereport.org/2019/11/sharing-the-wealth/

The Dirt Poor and Filthy Rich: A Study in Contrasts

Year

A pair of Sir Elton John’s signature high-heeled boots. … Jimmy Hendrix’s Flying V guitar. One of Madonna’s bustiers. A bevy of pick-chipped six-strings previously owned by rock legends like Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton — and one American Indian tribe owns them all. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, who some analysts say are worth several billion dollars, have become the first American Indian tribe to also be considered a bullish corporation...

Resource Type
Citation

Moya-Smith, Simon. "The Dirt Poor and Filthy Rich: A Study in Contrasts." Indian Country Today Media Network. February 21, 2013. Article. (https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/news/business/the-dirt-poor-and..., accessed February 25, 2013)

Forwarding First Nation Goals Through Enterprise Ownership: The Mikisew Group Of Companies

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The Mikisew Group of Companies (Mikisew Group) is the business arm of the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN). Founded in 1991 using monies from a $26.6 million land claim settlement with the governments of Alberta and Canada, it has achieved remarkable success. This success is evident in the wide arra y of business practice awards the group and its constituent companies have received, including Client of the Year (2008, Mikisew Group), Alberta Business Award of Distinction Eagle Feather finalist (2010, Mikisew Group), Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board Aboriginal Employer of the Year (2011, Mikis ew Fleet Man a gement), Pacrim Hospitality Company of the Year (2008, Super 8 Fort McMurray), Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association Housekeeping Award (2012, Super 8 Fort McMurray), and the Fort McMurray Tourism Ambassador of the Year (2009, Tim Gilles, general manager, Mikisew Sport Fishing).

But the Mikisew Group is not just a business. It is part of the MCFN’s overall strategy for increasing self-sufficiency and self-determination. Its success in these terms is evident in the substantial revenue it generates for MCFN, the jobs and careers it provides for the nation ’s citizens, and its ability to promote MCFN voice in decisions that affect the nation’s Aboriginal territory. This case study, part of a larger conversation about Aboriginal business achievement, explores the decisions and practices that have contributed to the Mikisew Group’s success.

Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

Jorgensen, Miriam and Rachel Starks. Forwarding First Nation Goals Through Enterprise Ownership: The Mikisew Group Of Companies. Prepared for the Indigenous Leadership and Management Program, The Banff Centre. Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy. The University of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona. April 2014. Case Study. (http://nni.arizona.edu/application/files/2314/6179/0332/2014-4_mikisew_case_study.pdf, accessed April 17, 2014)

Aboriginal Business Development Toolkit

Year

If you're an Aboriginal person thinking about starting or expanding a business, this toolkit has been developed with you in mind. While many helpful guides exist, this document includes considerations that may be of particular interest to you, your family and your community. Whether you live on-reserve, in a small town, or in a large city, this toolkit provides business development supports, tools and information to help you start and operate a successful business.

This toolkit is designed to help you explore the many things you need to think about, research and undertake when starting a business. In each chapter, you'll find helpful information, checklists and questions for you to consider. If you're thinking about starting a business, begin with Chapter One. If you already own a business, you could refer to the table of contents and determine which chapter focuses on your particular area of interest...

Native Nations
Resource Type
Citation

Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. "Aboriginal Business Development Toolkit." Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. Government of Ontario. Queen's Printer for Ontario. Toronto, Ontario. 2011. Toolkit. (https://www.ccab.com/tfab/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/06/Aboriginal-Business-Development-Toolkit.pdf, accessed February 27, 2023)

Tribal Economic Development: Nuts & Bolts

Year

Tribal economic development is a product of the need for Indian tribes to generate revenue in order to pay for the provision of governmental services. Unlike the federal government or states, Indian tribes – in general – have no viable tax base from which to generate revenues sufficient to provide for tribal constituents...

Resource Type
Citation

Fletcher, Matthew L.M. "Tribal Economic Development: Nuts & Bolts." Indigenous Law & Policy Center Working Paper Series. Michigan State University College of Law. October 25, 2006. Paper. (http://www.law.msu.edu/indigenous/papers/2006-03.pdf, accessed August 26, 2013)