Antone Minthorn, a Cayuse Indian, served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation from December of 1997 to December of 2001. He spent two years as a consultant, then was re-elected as Chairman in December of 2003. Prior to being elected Board Chairman, he spent 15 years as Chair of the Tribe’s General Council — the voting membership. Antone has played an influential role in many of the Tribe’s successes, including restoration of salmon to the Umatilla River after a 70-year absence, development of a modern Reservation economy, and re-acquisition of the Tribe’s land. He is an active member of the Democratic Party, representing Oregon as a delegate at five national Democratic Conventions. He also serves, or has served, on several additional boards including Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Northwest Area Foundation, Oregon Trail Coordinating Council, Oregon Historical Society, Crow’s Shadow Institute, and the George St. Denis American Legion Post.

Leah George-Wilson is a member of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation (TWFN) located in North Vancouver. She was the first woman to hold the office of Elected Chief for the TWFN, a position she held from 2001-2003. She has worked for the TWFN for the last 12 years and has held various positions for the Nation including member of the TWFN’s negotiating team in the BC Treaty Process and TWFN Self-Government Co-ordinator. She is currently the Director of the Treaty, Land and Resources Department for the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation In June 2004 Ms. George-Wilson was elected as co-chair, the 2 member administrative executive of the First Nations Summit. As co-chair, she deals with the administrative issues of the FNS and works with the First Nations Summit Task Group (FNS political executive) who are authorized by the Summit to carry out specifically-mandated tasks on issues related to treaty negotiations in BC. The Summit represents the majority of First Nations in BC on treaty related issues and other issues of common concern to First Nations.

Ronald Trosper’s research interest in sustainability has taken him into the field of ecological economics, “. . . I am principal investigator in a study supported by the Sustainable Forest Management Network, “First Nations and Sustainable Forestry: Institutional Conditions for Success” The other investigators are George Hoberg, Peggy Smith, Casey Van Kooten, and Ilan Vertinsky. We hope that this research will be valuable to First Nations hoping to increase their participation in the forestry economy in Canada, in terms of showing what works and what doesn’t, and suggesting workable models for business arrangements. In addition, we hope the research will be valuable to all parties in evaluating proposed government policies. This project is nearing completion, and supported Jeremy Boyd’s master’s thesis. I am also an investigator on a project led by David Natcher, “A Participatory Approach to Aboriginal Tenure Reform in Canada.” This project, funded by the Sustainable Forest Management Network, started in April 2005. Sarah WEber and Eddison Lee-Johnson are graduate students on this project, which involves cooperation from the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council. Starting in the summer of 2006, I am working with John Innis on a project titled “Common knowledge, values and perceptions of sustainable forest management held by First Nations communities.” Graduate student Justin Barnes will work with us in getting this project started. It is funded by the Forest Science Program.”

Joel Frank owns One Sky, Inc. since it’s formation in 1995 One Sky has assembled a dedicated team of Indian and non-Indian experts in business, law and marketing in order to provide a variety of assistance and services to American Indian tribes, helping them to maximize their economic opportunities. As an example, OSI won an RFP bid in 1996 to develop an Indian gaming venture in Northern California. This project became what now operates as Casino San Pablo, a highly successful casino operation. “I have dedicated my life to helping the Indian cause. During the last three decades I have been pleased to witness the blossoming of Indian enterprise. As success follows success and economic development expands, the need arises for cash flow to preserve, manage and grow your business. My partners and I started One Sky Financial Solutions because we believe that only an American Indian-owned company can be sensitive to the unique needs of Indian Country. I believe that no other company can match what One Sky Financial Solutions is offering: first-rate financial solutions and personal service from an American Indian-owned company.” — Joel M. Frank Sr.

Working Group Documents

Native American Trade Protection Act Purpose:

Provide an economic incentive for Native American Tribal Enterprises (including ANC’s and Native Hawaiian owned enterprises) to produce products for trade and commerce with other Native American Tribal Enterprises free of barriers and restricted created by multiple jurisdictions.

INTER-TRIBAL ECONOMIC AND TRADE TREATY

Indian tribes are sovereign nations that have since time immemorial possessed inherent powers to regulate commerce within our territories.

2007 Winter Conference Resolution

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians supports the principle of free trade between indigenous nations and the right of US tribal nations to freely engage in trade with other tribal nations and their enterprises...

A New Paradigm: The Indian Country Economy

A PowerPoint presentation by Alan Parker, faculty for Native Law & Policy The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA