Native American leadership linked to tribal economy

MISSOULA - Two business experts delivered powerful messages to Indian Country economic-development advocates Monday during the Montana Indian Business Alliance conference.

Keynote speakers were Manley Begay Jr., faculty chair of the Native Nations Institute for Leadership at the University of Arizona, and Andy Wells III, president of Wells Technology in Bemidji, Minn.

"The key to sustainable economic development in Indian Country lies in how Native nations govern themselves," said Begay, who is also co-director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. "Self-determination is the only policy that ever worked."

Wells' company was named American Indian Business of the Year in 2008 by the National Center for American Indian Economic Development.

He owns a $58 million industrial-tools manufacturing business.

The conference drew about 250 for the third annual event, which ends today.

Robert "Bob" Gauthier, a private business owner and former economic-development adviser for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Reservation, said the tribes and entrepreneurs need to develop opportunities that allow tribal members to stay in their community.

"All towns like Missoula, Billings and Havre benefit from $1 billion spent by tribes in Montana," said Gauthier, citing a University of Montana economic development study. He said Montana's Indian population rivals the population for the city of Missoula, roughly around 60,000.

Missoula sustains 61 certified public accounting firms, 20 advertising agencies, 35 heating-and-cooling businesses, 60 restaurants, 23 appraisers, 45 architects, 351 attorneys, 58 auto repair shops and 94 art galleries.

Begay said successful businesses in Indian Country are dependent upon five key areas, including exercising tribal sovereignty, strong tribal governments, culturally appropriate institutions, long-term planning and good leadership.

For more than 20 years, Begay has participated in research, examining some of the most progressive Native "regional political powerhouses" on the North American continent, noting both traditional and contemporary government examples. The tribes, he said, have knocked out high unemployment and created high-paying jobs while retaining culture and language.

Among the best of the best, Begay lauded the Cochiti Pueblo in Cochiti, N.M., Mississippi Band of Choctaw in Choctaw, Miss., Citizen Band of Potawatomi in Shawnee, Okla., and the Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia, Canada.

There are two models of tribal government, Begay said, referring to the tribes who rely on grant planners and the tribes who exercise self-governance and sovereignty. More tribes are becoming assertive about planning for the generations to come.

"This is a good time to be Indian," Begay said. "I'm really happy to be alive to see this. For a time, we were spinning our wheels. That's changed. Through all that, we've remained fundamentally indigenous."

Wells is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Indian Country and operates his manufacturing business in a town central to three reservations in Minnesota. His company sells industrial products in 54 countries. While he is a respected businessman, Wells said money is only worth so much if you don't use it to help your community.

Wells created the Wells Academy three years ago. The nonprofit industrial skills apprentice program has provided job training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged youths.

"I'm honest and trustworthy to them and they return it," he said. "Our people can do great things. Don't ever underestimate them."