This country America was founded on Christian principles, morals and values yet by its words, actions or deeds toward America’s minority population it gets ruined by prejudices, wrongful acts, and gross injustices toward all minorities of America.
Outstanding hard work has been brought forth by minorities and we see different minority holidays proclaiming the accomplishments made by America’s minorities. This shows the diversity of America where their leaders are honored and respected and remembered for their accomplishments towards social justice.
Some presidents through presidential proclamations‘, and laws of Congress have been implemented rendering policies, Indian Self-determination Act, and in recent decades Tribal Consultation having Alaska Native and Native American in-put for the laws created to serve the best interest of the tribes. All these steps too supposedly address and resolve the social concerns, economic development issues, and the issues confronting Alaska Native and Native on a daily basis.
For not only Alaska Native and Native American populations America have a shameful history on their appalling treatment; but, all minorities have been mistreated with gross violations of their civil rights. Recently there have been some voting rights violations yet America gave Alaska Native and Native Americans dual citizenship giving them the right to vote in 1924. “Arizona tribes did not vote until Frank Harrison, a Yavapai man who had fought in World War II, decided he and other Native Americans should have the right to vote. He and Fort McDowell Tribal Chairman Harry Austin attempted to register to vote on Nov. 8, 1947. Their applications were rejected.
Harrison, having fought for his country, decided to fight again. He and the tribal chairman filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court. On July 15, 1948, the court ruled in a unanimous decision that Native Americans have the right to vote in Arizona.” (http://www.reznetnews.org/blogs/tribalog/arizona-natives-celebrate-native-american-right-vote-day) Even with right to vote for Alaska Natives and Native Americans some states have tried to disenfranchise the Native Vote. The disenfranchisement of Alaska Native and Native American voters took place in the national elections in 2006 in Alaska, Arizona and South Dakota.
Out of all the minorities in America the Alaska Native and Native American population has suffered the most devastating acts done against them and these human rights violations against them are still felt today. Today’s Indigenous population of America have yet to be on equal footing to that of American Society in Education, Health, Economic Growth, Housing and several other areas. The American Government is slow to resolve its issues and concerns of Alaska Native and Native American populations. For example the Sand Creek Massacre of the Cheyenne People murdering elderly men, women and children in 1864. The Federal Government in 2006 finally decides to give compensation to this tribe of the descendants of those that were murdered some 142 years later. That is very long time to make some compensation to the Cheyenne people and one can imagine the grieve and sorrow suffered of the lost of their tribal members and family members. But what Native American population sees is the Federal Government paying for the building of Iraq and there the war is not even over and taxpayer dollars going else where when there are more pressing social and economic needs in America; especially on most of the Alaska Native and Native American land and reservations. It is further observed that the America taxpayer is paying for the construction of the world’s fastest growing city, Dubai.
So in modern day history of America the Congressional Leaders, The Office of The President with countries it has been at war with it has been able to provide funding to rebuild those countries. But here at home in America we see no rebuilding of people’s lives such as the homeless of America their life has been take away from them and they are left in the hand of urban cities to take care of them. So a government that is unresponsive to its own and especially among Alaska Native and Native American population since the very first president to today’s president the Indigenous population has been to Congress testifying to their social and economic needs. They just as well been talking to the walls of Congress for very little has been done to provide viable solutions to simply reduce poverty among America’s Indigenous population.
The Preamble of the Constitution of America says: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Looking at America’s history over the last 30 years for all minorities of American it has not made a perfect union, it has not established justice, there is no domestic tranquility, the welfare of the people have not been met, the blessing of liberty have not been shared with minorities only to the privileged and minorities have to use courts to get their rights recognized and taking their law cases all the way up to the US Supreme Court. Yet we are supposed to have rights?
“The United States, as it expanded to the west, forcibly removed or killed many Native Americans from their lands as it violated the treaties and Indian rights which both parties had agreed upon. In this way, the concerns of white landowners were considered above the interests of the Indians. In Georgia, for instance, the governor ordered the Cherokee to vacate their lands so the territory would be able to be redistributed to poor Georgians. The Cherokee refused, as they contended that a treaty with the United States that had been signed earlier guaranteed their right to the land. Through a friend of the tribe, they brought their case all the way to the Supreme Court.
In 1832, when Andrew Jackson was President, the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia had acted unconstitutionally. However, Jackson refused to enforce the Court's ruling. Meanwhile, Congress had passed the Indian Removal Act, which granted refuge to Native Americans who relocated to territory west of the Mississippi.
The Cherokee were forced out of Georgia and had to endure a brutal and deadly trip to the area comprising present-day Oklahoma, a journey which they called the "Trail of Tears." Between 2,000 and 4,000 of the 16,000 migrating Cherokees died during the journey, including women, children, and elderly members of the tribe.” (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/US_History/Contents/Westward_Expansion_and_Manifest_Destiny) So with these forced moves when will America compensate the Indian Wars that took place right here in America? A simple apology will not work for lives were taken, land was taken, resources were taken, and in the name of expansion and progress America was very cruel to the Native Americans. Many tribal people are no longer in their aboriginal domain.
We observe the federal agencies like the Department of Transportation with Eminent Domain or purchasing of homes and businesses for new roads, freeways and wide right a-ways displacing homeowners and businesses yet they receive compensation for their displacements. They get paid for their losses; but, Native Americans have yet to receive compensations for their losses which includes taking of lives, natural resources and lot of land. If others of America are compensated for their losses and for their displacement; why not compensate the Native Americans for their displacement?
Alaska Native and Native American do work with governmental agencies that are supposed to work for the best interest of the people that they serve. In reality are these federal agencies working in our behalf? We in Indian Country, USA every ten years read the statistical reports of the US Census Bureau and we have yet to notice only minor changes in the state of poverty among Alaska Native and Native American populations. Each year National Congress of American Indians reports to The Office of the President, US Senate and US House of Representatives giving a report on the State of American Indians… Yet with the entire testimonies offer to Congress and to the Office of the President we in Indian Country, USA still today face an uphill battle on our social and economic plights.
One president was the president of the people and said he got killed and that is John F. Kennedy. The Johnson Administration had War on Poverty; but for Alaska Native and Native American population that war was never won. Some States like South Dakota and in Alaska the unemployment rate is high as 80% among Alaska Native And Native American settings. The Nixon Administration put forth Indian Self-determination language for Alaska Native and Native American which did put Indian Affairs with some better footing with its role with the Federal Government. But this president got impeached.
We in Indian Country, USA see corporate America trying to find cheap labor and avoid strict environmental issues set forth by Congress so instead of creating goods at home the corporations outsource with other countries. Some of the corporations of America are right next door to many tribes of Indian Country, USA. Several tribes are prospering and not using gaming as it primary source of successful earnings. Several tribes are creating business friendly environments and have entered in the creation of over 200,000 Native owned and operated businesses. It has been reported that these businesses made over $34.4 Billion dollars. Tribes that have separated their tribal businesses from tribal politics have great successes and are prospering their tribes. Studies have been done on successful tribes on why they are successful. So there are model tribal businesses that can be replicated which include tribal business ordinances to create a tribal friendly business environment, development of tribal entity to specifically handle tribal economic development, and allowing tribal businesses to move forward so they can do their businesses properly without interference of the tribal councils.
It is documented that there are 200,000 Alaska Native and Native American businesses across Indian Country, USA. Collectively these businesses made over $34.4 Billion dollars. Even with marked successes the Federal Government needs to take an in-depth look at governmental services that are provided to Alaska Native and Native American tribal businesses or individually own Native business. If one would simply look at the tribal economies one would readily note that the reservation people are prospering their neighbors instead of themselves. Why is this? Just for goods and services a very high percentage of tribal revenues are spent off reservation settings. To capture these dollars that go off reservation settings new Alaska Native and Native American businesses need to be formed and establish several businesses capturing the dollars that are spent by a tribe or tribes for good and services. Once several businesses are established of by tribal members or a tribal businesses within their setting they will begin to see economic improvements for their local tribal economy.
All of Indian Country, USA, and the Alaska Native and Native American population all have available resources to not only prosper themselves and in the process become energy independent. They can all collectively meet the demands of energy for all of America. America will need by the year 2016 70% more electricity. Who can supply America’s electrical needs the tribes can provide them with their energy needs and demands. Every tribe has solar, wind, wave, falling water and/or biomass waste to bring about sustainable energy and energy independence from off-reservation utility companies. Tribes can use agriculture waste, cattle manure, farm animal waste, sewer lagoons, seafood processing waste to not only create energy; but, can create a durable good that replaces aluminum, cooper and steel. This durable good is made out of what is thrown away from our tribal landfills. Nine major industries make use of aluminum, copper or steel. With this the tribes not only make needed energy needs to supply America’s demands for energy but can make manufactured goods for the nine major industries that use aluminum, copper or steel. In Alaska landfills for some of their cities and towns landfills are environmental problem and on some reservations it is a problem. So instead of trying to fix the environmental problems why not convert the waste into energy and profits for the tribes. For tribes not having their own utility companies they can become energy independent. Not only become energy independent but can gain great wealth in the establishment of energy parks to sell to utility companies that are on or near tribal lands. So right now the tribes can prosper from America’s energy crisis. Why as stated earlier all of America will need 70% more electricity. The newer hybrid cars will need hydrogen stations to refuel. Right now in all of Arizona there are only 2 hydrogen filling stations. With energy parks tribes can become energy independent and make payments to their own tribal utility company thereby keeping dollars on the reservation settings instead of paying energy costs to off reservation utility companies. The tribes can become a major supplier of energy for not only themselves but sell energy to companies on or near reservation settings. Already in Arizona one utility company is buying wind power energy for one existing company in Arizona so there are unlimited energy opportunities for the tribes not having reliance upon fossil fuel but can make energy from their own tribal resources. Through the Department of Energy tribes are taking advantage of doing feasibility studies to see what alternative energy will be used upon their reservation settings. Tribes need to take it a step further and either with their alternative studies take steps to create energy parks for America’s demand for needed energy can be steps to developing substantial tribal wealth development.
Already tribes are doing solar power, wind power and hydroelectric on their reservations. Again, further steps need to be in place to the creation of hydrogen which can produce even more energy that can be stored or creation of hydrogen filling stations for the automobile industry is already making hybrid cars and there will be a need for hydrogen filling stations. The technology for that already exists and companies are already for Alaska Native and Native American tribal businesses or individual tribal owners to set forth to put it all in place.
The opportunity to step into the alternative energy is now to take appropriate steps to not only meet tribal energy needs but fully address the energy needs of America. America has not yet yielded its addiction to fossil fuel and while they are getting over those tribes can already be in the business of alternative energy. When Congress gets pressured by its constituents instead of their special interest groups they put on a show like they really are concerned about America’s energy crisis. Now that the national elections are near one notice in some places the gas prices are slowly going down; but still expensive. One can readily see America’s addiction to fossil fuel in any major city in America at rush hour and see all of the one passenger cars and the city buses half empty.
What can we do as tribes to collectively provide energy solutions not only for ourselves but to that of America? This writer proposes a National Alaska Native and American Indian Energy Forum be established to specifically address not only the energy needs of America but see how they can become energy independent and use their own energy instead of off-reservation energy. For several tribes are already completed feasibility studies on what alternative energy that will work for their particular reservation. Further steps are needed to see the possibilities of establishing energy parks to sell to the utility companies that are on or near reservation lands. Each tribe depending on what region of the country can have Solar Energy Park, Wind Energy Park, and Wave Energy Park with these energy parks Tribes can provide the energy needs of America. The demand for energy is here and it does exist. Dr. Roy McAlister, author, “The Solar Hydrogen Civilization ,” in his introduction on “The Plan,” writes “Our current economy drains natural resources and pollutes the environment. It can be restructured to provide prosperity without pollution by replacing fossil fuels with from renewable sources. Hydrogen is the safest, most convenient and cost-effective way to deliver renewable energy. Hydrogen runs the stars, provides energy for the tiniest to the largest forms of life on Earth, and it can help Civilization become much more friendly and willing to make the appropriate investments needed to achieve future prosperity.” This writer quotes Dr. McAlister for his is leading authority on hydrogen and his expertise can lead the tribes into substantial tribal wealth development. Like wise others are available with technology that puts the tribes in the center of American Commerce. The National Alaska Native and American Indian Energy Forum can specifically address their energy needs of their specific tribal settings. It can bring in all of the energy experts, all of them utility companies that need more energy, cities and towns that are concerned about their energy needs, and investors who have a willingness to work with tribal energy and get tribes on the road to substantial wealth development.
For the new president another forum is needed to fully address what has happen to federal government and Indian Affairs, make realistic goals to be approved by Congress, goals that come from Alaska Native and Native American leaders, tribal administrators, tribal department officials, tribal judges, tribal social workers, tribal police, tribal natural resource departments, tribal historians, tribal education departments, child and adult advocates, tribal health departments, tribal housing, tribal transportation, and other tribal programs especially in cultural programs of the tribes. Is to put the recommendations forward to the Office of the President, President’s Cabinet Members, both the US Senate and US House of Representatives to finally put down on paper that is recognized once and for all of the Tribes of America. Why? Every new presidential administration tribes roll into Congress and make reassurances that the tribal needs will be met by the Office of the President and Congress. For each new president that gets into office working with the presidential political appointees tribes are either in a battle stance or they get along with the Tribes. In some states like Washington State Tribes their have developed an Accord which puts down the tribal sovereignty issues, tribal rights issues, tribal jurisdictions, eligibly of tribes to receive state programs, reminders of their tribal treaties and full expression of their state government-to-government relationships. Conversely, this should happen with Indian Country, USA do an Accord that specifically shows the Tribal perspective and their direct relationship with Federal Government and all the governmental agencies that work with Indian Country, USA. For each new presidential administration tribes have to do the business of educating the President, Congress and the Federal Agents that work with Tribes. Even with documentation all ready submitted it is not known by each new presidential administration and every 4 or 8 years the process on part of Tribes is to ensure they are remembered. This forum will bring forth from a historical perspective giving comments on Indian Affairs, its policies and procedures, its hindrances, short falls, ill-planned programs that have not worked, and any topic that has created barriers, or obstacles will be presented. It will give an official briefing paper to the new president, his political appointees, and his cabinet members and to the agencies that work with the Tribes. This would be a major accomplishment for the Tribes for even if they have watched the campaign and had face-to-face meetings with presidential candidates when in office it is a different setting for interest groups then pressure for their agenda and Congress puts forth their pressure and sometimes not yielding to the Office of the President. Realistically some programs only piece meal solutions and some times only gives one solution when in reality there are many other issues to completely resolve Native issues.
We seem some short range solutions when we need long range solutions. This Alaska Native and Native American Forum actually want to see the elimination of poverty and programs that enhances the tribes to prosper. Again, the tribes themselves have some realistic and viable solutions to resolve their social and economic needs. An example of tribal successes is Tribal Self-governance of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs has strengthened some of the tribes for once they had the ability to take matters in their own hands and mind. There are many examples of successes among the Tribes. What has happen with Self-Determination Act and Tribal Self-governance we don’t see the paternalistic hands of the federal government interfere with our day to day activities of the tribes. In health care and services we see great improvements with tribe taking over health programs of Indian Health Service. The Alaska Natives of Alaska have taken over health care and services with their own Alaska Native Corporate Executive Officer overseeing state wide all of health care and services for all Alaska Natives. There are two Alaska Native Boards; one is the Alaska Native Health Board that advocates: “to promote the spiritual, physical, mental, social, and cultural well-being and pride of Alaska Native people. “ The other is Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium its mission: “Providing the highest quality health services in partnership with our people and the Alaska Tribal Health System.” More needs to happen in tribal self-governance simply to let Indian Country, USA establish their own destiny.
This writer’s late father once said, “to look at tribal economic development is to look at ourselves as a tribe.” The tribe he spoke about is the Tsimshian of Alaska and Northern British Columbia. What he then says is the aboriginal trade route of the tribe which extended all the way up to the ice edge of the Arctic Circle, along the coast of British Columbia, Washington State Coast, Oregon Coast and California Coast to trade and barter with coastal tribe. The Tsimshian Tribe was seafaring people and they had an extensive trade route. The aboriginal trade route of this tribe should be acknowledged for the modern day Tsimshian of Alaska have a customer ship in the Pacific Northwest if they can get their rock quarry products shipped through international waters of British Columbia. Here is one example of barriers preventing the Alaska Tsimshian to prosper with their rock quarry. Their ancestors had freedom to travel through the same waters and yet the current day Tsimshian are not allowed to market their rock quarry products. The same tribe has marketed its salmon products over to Japan for over 50 years with little or no barriers. We observe corporations going globally with international markets. What works for others should work for the Tribes. If this tribe’s ancestors were able to trade and barter on the Pacific Coast the modern day tribe should have the same rights to freely trade with the states. We observe Free Trade Zones why not Free Trade Routes be included in the laws governing trade for the Tribes so they simply can cross international waters.
It is well known that America is governed for the people and by the people. It is well known that American Government of the people. Are not the Alaska Native and Native American population people of this country America? We know that America is founded on certain freedoms. The freedom of expression, freedom of speech and certain rights.
If this Alaska Native and Native American Forum are implemented by the new president and his new administration great endeavors can happen for America’s Indigenous population. We would see the social and economic needs finally get addressed. We will see not only a few tribes benefiting but all tribes benefit in addressing their social and economic needs.
Instead of a battle stance by the Alaska Native and Native American; will a new president finally let tribes put forth viable and long lasting solutions and recommendations that from start of implementations of tribal policies that will work and create an openness of federal government and fully realizing the government-to-government relationship it has with the tribes? These adopted policies put into place so that every new president will know that tribes do exist and policies have been developed so that every presidential cabinet member and Congress will know that they now have specific orders to follow rather then tribes making demands or reminders to the officials of the Federal Government. When the new president knows that it is a matter of record that tribes do have a government-to-government relationship and that America’s Indigenous will finally get their rights that they deserve and that once and for all they will finally see their rights are acknowledged, that they will finally be properly served and that like every American the tribes will have their needs fully addressed. Will the new president respond to creation on a National Alaska Native and Native American Forum? Tribes can address that and request that their issues and concerns once and for all be addressed. Since these country America tribes have confronted every president to today’s president will the tribes have to give the same message to every new president?
Outstanding hard work has been brought forth by minorities and we see different minority holidays proclaiming the accomplishments made by America’s minorities. This shows the diversity of America where their leaders are honored and respected and remembered for their accomplishments towards social justice.
Some presidents through presidential proclamations‘, and laws of Congress have been implemented rendering policies, Indian Self-determination Act, and in recent decades Tribal Consultation having Alaska Native and Native American in-put for the laws created to serve the best interest of the tribes. All these steps too supposedly address and resolve the social concerns, economic development issues, and the issues confronting Alaska Native and Native on a daily basis.
For not only Alaska Native and Native American populations America have a shameful history on their appalling treatment; but, all minorities have been mistreated with gross violations of their civil rights. Recently there have been some voting rights violations yet America gave Alaska Native and Native Americans dual citizenship giving them the right to vote in 1924. “Arizona tribes did not vote until Frank Harrison, a Yavapai man who had fought in World War II, decided he and other Native Americans should have the right to vote. He and Fort McDowell Tribal Chairman Harry Austin attempted to register to vote on Nov. 8, 1947. Their applications were rejected.
Harrison, having fought for his country, decided to fight again. He and the tribal chairman filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court. On July 15, 1948, the court ruled in a unanimous decision that Native Americans have the right to vote in Arizona.” (http://www.reznetnews.org/blogs/tribalog/arizona-natives-celebrate-native-american-right-vote-day) Even with right to vote for Alaska Natives and Native Americans some states have tried to disenfranchise the Native Vote. The disenfranchisement of Alaska Native and Native American voters took place in the national elections in 2006 in Alaska, Arizona and South Dakota.
Out of all the minorities in America the Alaska Native and Native American population has suffered the most devastating acts done against them and these human rights violations against them are still felt today. Today’s Indigenous population of America have yet to be on equal footing to that of American Society in Education, Health, Economic Growth, Housing and several other areas. The American Government is slow to resolve its issues and concerns of Alaska Native and Native American populations. For example the Sand Creek Massacre of the Cheyenne People murdering elderly men, women and children in 1864. The Federal Government in 2006 finally decides to give compensation to this tribe of the descendants of those that were murdered some 142 years later. That is very long time to make some compensation to the Cheyenne people and one can imagine the grieve and sorrow suffered of the lost of their tribal members and family members. But what Native American population sees is the Federal Government paying for the building of Iraq and there the war is not even over and taxpayer dollars going else where when there are more pressing social and economic needs in America; especially on most of the Alaska Native and Native American land and reservations. It is further observed that the America taxpayer is paying for the construction of the world’s fastest growing city, Dubai.
So in modern day history of America the Congressional Leaders, The Office of The President with countries it has been at war with it has been able to provide funding to rebuild those countries. But here at home in America we see no rebuilding of people’s lives such as the homeless of America their life has been take away from them and they are left in the hand of urban cities to take care of them. So a government that is unresponsive to its own and especially among Alaska Native and Native American population since the very first president to today’s president the Indigenous population has been to Congress testifying to their social and economic needs. They just as well been talking to the walls of Congress for very little has been done to provide viable solutions to simply reduce poverty among America’s Indigenous population.
The Preamble of the Constitution of America says: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Looking at America’s history over the last 30 years for all minorities of American it has not made a perfect union, it has not established justice, there is no domestic tranquility, the welfare of the people have not been met, the blessing of liberty have not been shared with minorities only to the privileged and minorities have to use courts to get their rights recognized and taking their law cases all the way up to the US Supreme Court. Yet we are supposed to have rights?
“The United States, as it expanded to the west, forcibly removed or killed many Native Americans from their lands as it violated the treaties and Indian rights which both parties had agreed upon. In this way, the concerns of white landowners were considered above the interests of the Indians. In Georgia, for instance, the governor ordered the Cherokee to vacate their lands so the territory would be able to be redistributed to poor Georgians. The Cherokee refused, as they contended that a treaty with the United States that had been signed earlier guaranteed their right to the land. Through a friend of the tribe, they brought their case all the way to the Supreme Court.
In 1832, when Andrew Jackson was President, the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia had acted unconstitutionally. However, Jackson refused to enforce the Court's ruling. Meanwhile, Congress had passed the Indian Removal Act, which granted refuge to Native Americans who relocated to territory west of the Mississippi.
The Cherokee were forced out of Georgia and had to endure a brutal and deadly trip to the area comprising present-day Oklahoma, a journey which they called the "Trail of Tears." Between 2,000 and 4,000 of the 16,000 migrating Cherokees died during the journey, including women, children, and elderly members of the tribe.” (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/US_History/Contents/Westward_Expansion_and_Manifest_Destiny) So with these forced moves when will America compensate the Indian Wars that took place right here in America? A simple apology will not work for lives were taken, land was taken, resources were taken, and in the name of expansion and progress America was very cruel to the Native Americans. Many tribal people are no longer in their aboriginal domain.
We observe the federal agencies like the Department of Transportation with Eminent Domain or purchasing of homes and businesses for new roads, freeways and wide right a-ways displacing homeowners and businesses yet they receive compensation for their displacements. They get paid for their losses; but, Native Americans have yet to receive compensations for their losses which includes taking of lives, natural resources and lot of land. If others of America are compensated for their losses and for their displacement; why not compensate the Native Americans for their displacement?
Alaska Native and Native American do work with governmental agencies that are supposed to work for the best interest of the people that they serve. In reality are these federal agencies working in our behalf? We in Indian Country, USA every ten years read the statistical reports of the US Census Bureau and we have yet to notice only minor changes in the state of poverty among Alaska Native and Native American populations. Each year National Congress of American Indians reports to The Office of the President, US Senate and US House of Representatives giving a report on the State of American Indians… Yet with the entire testimonies offer to Congress and to the Office of the President we in Indian Country, USA still today face an uphill battle on our social and economic plights.
One president was the president of the people and said he got killed and that is John F. Kennedy. The Johnson Administration had War on Poverty; but for Alaska Native and Native American population that war was never won. Some States like South Dakota and in Alaska the unemployment rate is high as 80% among Alaska Native And Native American settings. The Nixon Administration put forth Indian Self-determination language for Alaska Native and Native American which did put Indian Affairs with some better footing with its role with the Federal Government. But this president got impeached.
We in Indian Country, USA see corporate America trying to find cheap labor and avoid strict environmental issues set forth by Congress so instead of creating goods at home the corporations outsource with other countries. Some of the corporations of America are right next door to many tribes of Indian Country, USA. Several tribes are prospering and not using gaming as it primary source of successful earnings. Several tribes are creating business friendly environments and have entered in the creation of over 200,000 Native owned and operated businesses. It has been reported that these businesses made over $34.4 Billion dollars. Tribes that have separated their tribal businesses from tribal politics have great successes and are prospering their tribes. Studies have been done on successful tribes on why they are successful. So there are model tribal businesses that can be replicated which include tribal business ordinances to create a tribal friendly business environment, development of tribal entity to specifically handle tribal economic development, and allowing tribal businesses to move forward so they can do their businesses properly without interference of the tribal councils.
It is documented that there are 200,000 Alaska Native and Native American businesses across Indian Country, USA. Collectively these businesses made over $34.4 Billion dollars. Even with marked successes the Federal Government needs to take an in-depth look at governmental services that are provided to Alaska Native and Native American tribal businesses or individually own Native business. If one would simply look at the tribal economies one would readily note that the reservation people are prospering their neighbors instead of themselves. Why is this? Just for goods and services a very high percentage of tribal revenues are spent off reservation settings. To capture these dollars that go off reservation settings new Alaska Native and Native American businesses need to be formed and establish several businesses capturing the dollars that are spent by a tribe or tribes for good and services. Once several businesses are established of by tribal members or a tribal businesses within their setting they will begin to see economic improvements for their local tribal economy.
All of Indian Country, USA, and the Alaska Native and Native American population all have available resources to not only prosper themselves and in the process become energy independent. They can all collectively meet the demands of energy for all of America. America will need by the year 2016 70% more electricity. Who can supply America’s electrical needs the tribes can provide them with their energy needs and demands. Every tribe has solar, wind, wave, falling water and/or biomass waste to bring about sustainable energy and energy independence from off-reservation utility companies. Tribes can use agriculture waste, cattle manure, farm animal waste, sewer lagoons, seafood processing waste to not only create energy; but, can create a durable good that replaces aluminum, cooper and steel. This durable good is made out of what is thrown away from our tribal landfills. Nine major industries make use of aluminum, copper or steel. With this the tribes not only make needed energy needs to supply America’s demands for energy but can make manufactured goods for the nine major industries that use aluminum, copper or steel. In Alaska landfills for some of their cities and towns landfills are environmental problem and on some reservations it is a problem. So instead of trying to fix the environmental problems why not convert the waste into energy and profits for the tribes. For tribes not having their own utility companies they can become energy independent. Not only become energy independent but can gain great wealth in the establishment of energy parks to sell to utility companies that are on or near tribal lands. So right now the tribes can prosper from America’s energy crisis. Why as stated earlier all of America will need 70% more electricity. The newer hybrid cars will need hydrogen stations to refuel. Right now in all of Arizona there are only 2 hydrogen filling stations. With energy parks tribes can become energy independent and make payments to their own tribal utility company thereby keeping dollars on the reservation settings instead of paying energy costs to off reservation utility companies. The tribes can become a major supplier of energy for not only themselves but sell energy to companies on or near reservation settings. Already in Arizona one utility company is buying wind power energy for one existing company in Arizona so there are unlimited energy opportunities for the tribes not having reliance upon fossil fuel but can make energy from their own tribal resources. Through the Department of Energy tribes are taking advantage of doing feasibility studies to see what alternative energy will be used upon their reservation settings. Tribes need to take it a step further and either with their alternative studies take steps to create energy parks for America’s demand for needed energy can be steps to developing substantial tribal wealth development.
Already tribes are doing solar power, wind power and hydroelectric on their reservations. Again, further steps need to be in place to the creation of hydrogen which can produce even more energy that can be stored or creation of hydrogen filling stations for the automobile industry is already making hybrid cars and there will be a need for hydrogen filling stations. The technology for that already exists and companies are already for Alaska Native and Native American tribal businesses or individual tribal owners to set forth to put it all in place.
The opportunity to step into the alternative energy is now to take appropriate steps to not only meet tribal energy needs but fully address the energy needs of America. America has not yet yielded its addiction to fossil fuel and while they are getting over those tribes can already be in the business of alternative energy. When Congress gets pressured by its constituents instead of their special interest groups they put on a show like they really are concerned about America’s energy crisis. Now that the national elections are near one notice in some places the gas prices are slowly going down; but still expensive. One can readily see America’s addiction to fossil fuel in any major city in America at rush hour and see all of the one passenger cars and the city buses half empty.
What can we do as tribes to collectively provide energy solutions not only for ourselves but to that of America? This writer proposes a National Alaska Native and American Indian Energy Forum be established to specifically address not only the energy needs of America but see how they can become energy independent and use their own energy instead of off-reservation energy. For several tribes are already completed feasibility studies on what alternative energy that will work for their particular reservation. Further steps are needed to see the possibilities of establishing energy parks to sell to the utility companies that are on or near reservation lands. Each tribe depending on what region of the country can have Solar Energy Park, Wind Energy Park, and Wave Energy Park with these energy parks Tribes can provide the energy needs of America. The demand for energy is here and it does exist. Dr. Roy McAlister, author, “The Solar Hydrogen Civilization ,” in his introduction on “The Plan,” writes “Our current economy drains natural resources and pollutes the environment. It can be restructured to provide prosperity without pollution by replacing fossil fuels with from renewable sources. Hydrogen is the safest, most convenient and cost-effective way to deliver renewable energy. Hydrogen runs the stars, provides energy for the tiniest to the largest forms of life on Earth, and it can help Civilization become much more friendly and willing to make the appropriate investments needed to achieve future prosperity.” This writer quotes Dr. McAlister for his is leading authority on hydrogen and his expertise can lead the tribes into substantial tribal wealth development. Like wise others are available with technology that puts the tribes in the center of American Commerce. The National Alaska Native and American Indian Energy Forum can specifically address their energy needs of their specific tribal settings. It can bring in all of the energy experts, all of them utility companies that need more energy, cities and towns that are concerned about their energy needs, and investors who have a willingness to work with tribal energy and get tribes on the road to substantial wealth development.
For the new president another forum is needed to fully address what has happen to federal government and Indian Affairs, make realistic goals to be approved by Congress, goals that come from Alaska Native and Native American leaders, tribal administrators, tribal department officials, tribal judges, tribal social workers, tribal police, tribal natural resource departments, tribal historians, tribal education departments, child and adult advocates, tribal health departments, tribal housing, tribal transportation, and other tribal programs especially in cultural programs of the tribes. Is to put the recommendations forward to the Office of the President, President’s Cabinet Members, both the US Senate and US House of Representatives to finally put down on paper that is recognized once and for all of the Tribes of America. Why? Every new presidential administration tribes roll into Congress and make reassurances that the tribal needs will be met by the Office of the President and Congress. For each new president that gets into office working with the presidential political appointees tribes are either in a battle stance or they get along with the Tribes. In some states like Washington State Tribes their have developed an Accord which puts down the tribal sovereignty issues, tribal rights issues, tribal jurisdictions, eligibly of tribes to receive state programs, reminders of their tribal treaties and full expression of their state government-to-government relationships. Conversely, this should happen with Indian Country, USA do an Accord that specifically shows the Tribal perspective and their direct relationship with Federal Government and all the governmental agencies that work with Indian Country, USA. For each new presidential administration tribes have to do the business of educating the President, Congress and the Federal Agents that work with Tribes. Even with documentation all ready submitted it is not known by each new presidential administration and every 4 or 8 years the process on part of Tribes is to ensure they are remembered. This forum will bring forth from a historical perspective giving comments on Indian Affairs, its policies and procedures, its hindrances, short falls, ill-planned programs that have not worked, and any topic that has created barriers, or obstacles will be presented. It will give an official briefing paper to the new president, his political appointees, and his cabinet members and to the agencies that work with the Tribes. This would be a major accomplishment for the Tribes for even if they have watched the campaign and had face-to-face meetings with presidential candidates when in office it is a different setting for interest groups then pressure for their agenda and Congress puts forth their pressure and sometimes not yielding to the Office of the President. Realistically some programs only piece meal solutions and some times only gives one solution when in reality there are many other issues to completely resolve Native issues.
We seem some short range solutions when we need long range solutions. This Alaska Native and Native American Forum actually want to see the elimination of poverty and programs that enhances the tribes to prosper. Again, the tribes themselves have some realistic and viable solutions to resolve their social and economic needs. An example of tribal successes is Tribal Self-governance of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs has strengthened some of the tribes for once they had the ability to take matters in their own hands and mind. There are many examples of successes among the Tribes. What has happen with Self-Determination Act and Tribal Self-governance we don’t see the paternalistic hands of the federal government interfere with our day to day activities of the tribes. In health care and services we see great improvements with tribe taking over health programs of Indian Health Service. The Alaska Natives of Alaska have taken over health care and services with their own Alaska Native Corporate Executive Officer overseeing state wide all of health care and services for all Alaska Natives. There are two Alaska Native Boards; one is the Alaska Native Health Board that advocates: “to promote the spiritual, physical, mental, social, and cultural well-being and pride of Alaska Native people. “ The other is Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium its mission: “Providing the highest quality health services in partnership with our people and the Alaska Tribal Health System.” More needs to happen in tribal self-governance simply to let Indian Country, USA establish their own destiny.
This writer’s late father once said, “to look at tribal economic development is to look at ourselves as a tribe.” The tribe he spoke about is the Tsimshian of Alaska and Northern British Columbia. What he then says is the aboriginal trade route of the tribe which extended all the way up to the ice edge of the Arctic Circle, along the coast of British Columbia, Washington State Coast, Oregon Coast and California Coast to trade and barter with coastal tribe. The Tsimshian Tribe was seafaring people and they had an extensive trade route. The aboriginal trade route of this tribe should be acknowledged for the modern day Tsimshian of Alaska have a customer ship in the Pacific Northwest if they can get their rock quarry products shipped through international waters of British Columbia. Here is one example of barriers preventing the Alaska Tsimshian to prosper with their rock quarry. Their ancestors had freedom to travel through the same waters and yet the current day Tsimshian are not allowed to market their rock quarry products. The same tribe has marketed its salmon products over to Japan for over 50 years with little or no barriers. We observe corporations going globally with international markets. What works for others should work for the Tribes. If this tribe’s ancestors were able to trade and barter on the Pacific Coast the modern day tribe should have the same rights to freely trade with the states. We observe Free Trade Zones why not Free Trade Routes be included in the laws governing trade for the Tribes so they simply can cross international waters.
It is well known that America is governed for the people and by the people. It is well known that American Government of the people. Are not the Alaska Native and Native American population people of this country America? We know that America is founded on certain freedoms. The freedom of expression, freedom of speech and certain rights.
If this Alaska Native and Native American Forum are implemented by the new president and his new administration great endeavors can happen for America’s Indigenous population. We would see the social and economic needs finally get addressed. We will see not only a few tribes benefiting but all tribes benefit in addressing their social and economic needs.
Instead of a battle stance by the Alaska Native and Native American; will a new president finally let tribes put forth viable and long lasting solutions and recommendations that from start of implementations of tribal policies that will work and create an openness of federal government and fully realizing the government-to-government relationship it has with the tribes? These adopted policies put into place so that every new president will know that tribes do exist and policies have been developed so that every presidential cabinet member and Congress will know that they now have specific orders to follow rather then tribes making demands or reminders to the officials of the Federal Government. When the new president knows that it is a matter of record that tribes do have a government-to-government relationship and that America’s Indigenous will finally get their rights that they deserve and that once and for all they will finally see their rights are acknowledged, that they will finally be properly served and that like every American the tribes will have their needs fully addressed. Will the new president respond to creation on a National Alaska Native and Native American Forum? Tribes can address that and request that their issues and concerns once and for all be addressed. Since these country America tribes have confronted every president to today’s president will the tribes have to give the same message to every new president?
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