Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation Building Strategic Planning Session

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1 A PROJECT PUEBLO INITIATIVE Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation Building Strategic Planning Session Facilitated by Joseph P. Kalt in collaboration with Harvard Project on Native American Economic Development and The Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy at the University of Arizona YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO Nation Building Guide Vol. 2 Authored by: YDSP Economic Development Department As set forth by the YDSP Tribal Council This document was prepared by the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Economic Development Department and supported by Grant No. 90-NA-7952, awarded by the Administration for Native Americans, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2 Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Nation Building Strategic Planning Session Facilitated by Joseph P. Kalt in collaboration with Harvard Project on Native American Economic Development and The Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management and Policy at the University of Arizona Executive Summary The Tribal Council of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (YDSP) demonstrated their commitment to moving forward economically and building a stronger, self-sufficient Pueblo for its membership and plan for the future by holding a Nation Building Strategic Planning Session on February 26, with the goal of creating a Mission and Vision for the Tribal Council. The session was facilitated by the Harvard Project on Native American Economic Development s Joseph Kalt. The session was a continuation of a previous training session held January 25 th and 26 th of where the Pueblo was first introduced to Nation Building concepts by Harvard University with funding from the Department of the Interior. Every member of the YDSP Tribal Council attended and participated in the planning process. Several issues affecting the pueblo were discussed and the beginning stages of a vision and mission were formed. Tribal Council took an in depth look at the current organizational structure of the government and services, and made initial classifications regarding which programs belong under different categories and their role in the community. Part of the discussion included a visioning session where council looked toward the future of what YDSP could become, and also listed deterrents and strategies that will enable the progression towards these long-term goals. Over the last year, the tribe has spent the bulk of activity establishing the infrastructure for (tribal codes, Articles of Incorporation) Tigua Inc. Tigua Inc. is the development corporation owned by the tribe that will act as the parent holding company for the pueblo s non-gaming business. Tigua Inc. is run by a board of directors that is separated from the Tribal Council to separate business from politics. Nation Building is not limited to tribal economics rather it also involves all functions of the tribe such as governing institutions, infrastructure and business practices. The main point of focus now shifts from business structures to effective governance of the pueblo. Joe Kalt stated that tribal nations are able to make dramatic improvements economically and socially within a 20 year timeframe when committing to building stronger, self-sufficient communities. YDSP Tribal Council has taken the preliminary steps needed to move forward to this process. This report represents the open dialogue that will move YDSP toward a better future, a destiny that the Pueblo will ultimately create for itself. 1 P age

3 Introduction to Nation Building Kalt gave a brief presentation of Nation Building using several tribal case studies that have progressed successfully by reorganizing their structure. More in depth information on Nation Building can be found for reference purposes as it pertains to Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in Volume 1 of the YDSP Nation Building Journal available online at ysletadelsurpueblo.org/ and as it pertains to North American Native American Tribes in Rebuilding Native Nations (Jorgensen University of Arizona Press). Kalt s presentation was simply a brief overview of the process for council members. Kalt emphasized that the core of Nation Building is leadership. Each tribe must tailor its nation building approach to reflect the needs and economic, social and cultural circumstances of that particular tribe. There is no one blue-print or successful model that can be implemented. Economic development is not all about business development. Tribes that succeed in economic development have effective governments and are strong politically. Lt. Governor Hisa defined economic development as being able to provide our people the opportunity to stay here. The leadership of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo increasingly faces the challenges of effectively governing for the people of the Pueblo and at the same time adapting to the changing world around the pueblo while preserving traditional practices. The Nation Building process for Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is focused on proactively engaging in the challenge of sustaining its future in a modern era. Breakout group sessions Tribal Council was broken into four small groups to help with the visioning process. The notes below are results from what transpired from the team conversations. Following the breakout session each group presented their visualization to the entire group. The focal point of the visioning breakout session revolved around the single question: Group I What do you want Ysleta del Sur Pueblo to look like in 100 years? Language: Tri-lingual Tiwa, English, and Spanish Culture: Stable and Growing Economic: Self Sufficiency that results in economic freedom and growth Education: Tribal School System (culture and language). Every tribal member has access to higher education Government: 9 person tribal council, 4 person traditional council. Maintain traditions and adapt for growth (past tribal council members remain as lifetime resources for knowledge) Inter-governmental relations: Continuing efforts and collaboration with state, local, and federal governments Group II Language: Tiwa, English, Spanish, and Japanese Culture: Widespread acceptance and practice 2 P age

4 Economic: Freedom, leading business development in the area/internationally (model to all) Education: The best skilled. Curriculum in place reflecting our/indian nations structures and systems Government: Solid, respected, true system of government Inter-governmental relations: Self governed/freedom Group III Languages: Tigua spoken socially and in the home, English for business, Spanish for business abroad/internationally Culture: More community involvement (bring back larger family). Share culture with others Economic: Self sustaining/freedom. Regional/international growth. Small business/family business/larger corporations Education: Cultural, professional, tribal schools/university Government: Strong tribal court system. Criminal/tort and appeals Intergovernmental relations: Tribal members holding elected office in the greater community/nationally Group IV Languages: Fluent Tigua Culture: Tigua cultural revitalization. No more blood quantum limits (tribal members and descendents are the same). Model for other tribes (honoring nations award) Economic: Tribally managed (self-sufficient) with strong tribal economy, tribally owned services, education. Respected in the corporate world able to bring more tribal members home. Good living environment (ecologically, quality of life, elders taken care of). Good community infrastructure (sewage, utilities, parks, and streets) Education: Professionals able to manage tribal affairs Government: Stable governmental infrastructure, election system. Intergovernmental relations: No more government funding, respected as a government. Land grant resolved (less checkerboard reservation) Common Themes Reviewing the notes from the 4 groups a lot of commonality is evident in the vision for the future of the tribe. Each group wanted to see an expansion of Tigua Culture including a growth in the language. Every group noted the Pueblo should be self-sufficient with successful governmental structures and thriving businesses. Following the presentation Governor Paiz suggested that we document these visions and place them in a time capsule to view in the future. The Governor also noted that he did not want to wait 100 years for these visions he wanted to be able to enjoy as many of them in his lifetime as possible. Joe Kalt said based on his research the typical Native Community is able to turn itself around in about 20 years. 3 P age

5 Barriers to the Vision The second component to the strategic planning session involved identifying barriers to achieving the visions noted in the first part of the session. Mr. Kalt asked the simple question Why not? The list below representss the barriers and challenges identified by Tribal Council to work toward the preliminary vision. Why Not? Mindset Misinterpret Fragmented systems Lack of fiscal resources Fear of change Tribal Council juggling multiple roles Fear of losing cultural sovereignty Lack of skills to make the necessary changes There are talented people in the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Community, and there will be for the next 100 years so why can t the 100 year vision be accomplished -Joe Kalt Several recommendations to removing these barriers and moving forward were subsequently made resulting from the discussion. First and foremost changing the mindset of people requires leaders in the community (not limited to Tribal Council) to be opinion leaders. Leadership, whether it comes from Tribal Council, Tribal Elders, or Community leaders, needs to be approached from an educational perspective. Community Leaders are the primary sources of information to the pueblo. Making members of the community at all levels participate in the Nation Building process helps to successfully address the mindset of people. Addressing fragmented systems, lack of fiscal resources, and juggling multiple roles required an examination of the current organizational structure. 4 P age

6 Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Organizational Structure In an attempt to understand the organization the tribal government, services and programs were grouped into the three categories noted below. Mr. Kalt recognized the need for the roles to be defined and recommended the three categories to increase accountability, define roles, and ease the strain of Tribal Council having to focus on minor day to day issues and focus on governing effectively. The chart below details the organizational categories and possible management structure scenario. Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Community Tribal Court Tribal Council For Profit Businesses Governmental Services Not For Profit Entities Tigua Inc. Board of Directors Subsidiary Companies (Smoke Shop, BBO, Etc.) Independent Business Managers (No Oversight Board) Speaking Rock Chilicote Ranch Chief Government Officer (possible Administrator/ Assistant Administrator Tribal Operations Law Enforcement IHS Tribal Records Office Data Collections Economic Development Empowerment Non-Profit Board of Directors Chief Operating Officer Recreation & Wellness Center Tuy-Pathu Daycare Educational Foundation Cultural Center Tribal Community Development Fund Housing Department 5 P age

7 Nation Building Update Patricia Riggs, YDSP Economicc Development Specialist, gave a brief overview of all of the activities and events that led the pueblo through the process and the current state of Nation Building at YDSP. Included in the presentationn was a list of accomplishments along with upcoming activities deemed Next Steps. Noted is a timeline of events in chronological order leading up to the Tribal Council Strategic Planning Session. Timeline of Completed Events 2006 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6 P age

8 As the timelines above indicates an immense amount of work and planning is ongoing or completed to carefully establish the Nation Building model at Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. Thoughh many accomplishments have approached reality, the pueblo has several key components ahead. Mrs. Riggs presentation included the following courses of action as top priorities: Tribal Council Strategic Planning Grassroots Nation Building (at the community level) Tigua Inc. Business Strategic Planning Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (with EDAC input) Code Infrastructure (EDAC input, TC finalize) Establishment of Tigua Community Foundation Non-profit (EDAC input) Below is the timeline for the next steps: Timeline of Upcoming Events Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 7 P age

9 Next Steps The final portion of the day was used to determine what the next steps are in the Nation Building process. Listed below are suggestions for following up with items not covered in the session. Prioritize Create a reorganization task force (EDAC) Inventory existing infrastructure SWOT Analysis Generate Mission, Vision, and Core Values Summarize and Report Progress Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Mission, Vision, and Core Values Mission To promote self sufficiency, improve the quality of life, and preserve the cultural identity for the Pueblo. Vision To be a self-sufficient Pueblo empowered to thrive in the modern world while preserving our cultural foundation. Core Values Culture, Tradition and Language Commitment, Perseverance, and Preservation Sovereignty, Self-Determination, and Self-sufficiency Caring, Compassion, and Spirituality Respect, Tolerance, and Balance Resource Development, Planning, and Monitoring Honesty, Integrity and Ethical Behavior Consistency, Responsibility, Accountability Competency, Quality Service, and Continuous Improvement Leadership, Creativity and Innovation Nation Building, Economic Development and Separation of Politics and Business Empowerment, Education and Training Cooperation, Partnerships and Teamwork 8 P age

10 Summary The Nation Building process requires countless hours of work and a dedication from the leadership to carry forward the process. The strategic planning session is only a small portion of the work that is required at many different levels to successfully taking Ysleta del Sur Pueblo from a preliminary vision to a full blown living, breathing reality. Visioning is the first of many steps required to build a nation. More intensive work needs to be done in order to achieve the challenges that the Pueblo sets forth for itself. Attendees Facilitator: Joseph Kalt Tribal Council: Governor Frank Paiz Lt. Governor Carlos Hisa War Captain Rick Quezada Jr. Aguacil Joe Sierra Jr. Councilman Frank Gomez Councilman Bernie Gonzales Councilman Arturo Loera Councilman Juan Lopez Jr. Other Attendees: Economic Development Department Tribal Operations Housing Department Empowerment Program 9 P age