Author : John Teller
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 18,76 MB
Release : 2011
Category :
ISBN :
The primary scope of this research is to identify the business and entrepreneurial activity taking place in the Native American community and includes a literary review of ten articles found to be of significant importance in gathering a broader scope of how tribal entrepreneurship is succeeding and evaluating recommendations for improvement. Early on, tribal people shared a similar economy that greatly differed from the market economy of today where entrepreneurship problems loom large in Indian Country. Through this review we will gain a better understanding of where business and entrepreneurship activity stands in Native America. Tribal colleges serve not only as places of education but also offer business assistance and are community hubs, often independent of tribal government. These colleges are vital to economic improvement of tribes and suffer from low retention rates and staff turnover due to inadequate funding. The tribes of the United States are not alone as other tribal people from Canada and New Zealand share many of the same problems of their US counterparts. In particular, Canadian reporting processes are inefficient and create difficulties in getting needed funds where they belong. Individual entrepreneurs also face stiff competition and often are not afforded the needed loans and capital to begin on-reservation business. Individual businesses increase tribal economic development, employ tribal members, and keep valuable tribal dollars on the reservation. Tribal nations have shown the most progress in productive economies by reinvesting dollars back into profitable industries like the cement plant of the Passamaquoddy tribe or the Flexcrete Company of the Navajo nation. Much of this tribal success is attributed to the introduction of gaming and the revenues now provided to tribes. Although gaming has been a profitable solution, it is only a temporary fix as tribes continue to make strides toward independent economic development. Tribes have shown that incorporating culture into the strategic planning process can also be successful if implemented properly. Tribal government remains the largest hindrance to economic growth for Native tribes. Most government agencies still prioritize employment and education as keys to success and are only now beginning to provide more support of economic development endeavors such as loans, regulation, and stability, all of which business owners need for on-reservation start-ups. Research suggests tribes focus on institutional change and transformation while also maintaining a positive relationship with tribal entrepreneurs who share in the economic incentive to provide a growing tribal economy. It is evident that tribes are showing major transformation from transfer-based economies to productive economies. A secondary transformation is also occurring where reservation communities are becoming their own private sectors which are bringing highly skilled tribal members back to their communities and driving economic growth from within. Despite these best efforts, tribes still are facing tough issues today. Tribal colleges are helping to overcome the issues of education and experience. Governments are beginning to provide support for individual entrepreneurs. Natural resources and Indian lands are being utilized to overcome the location and distance from market deficiencies. However, much is yet to be done if Native Americans are to truly establish entrepreneurial success on the reservation.