Executives of an electronics company, a petro-chemical company and several other major corporations have reported to BIA that they have arranged to sponsor meetings of business leaders to inform them of industrial development opportunities in Indian areas. Six such meetings will soon be scheduled for various parts of the country, at which more than 300 industrial executives will consult with Indian tribal leaders about advantages available to industries in Indian population areas. Financing, land leasing, and manpower availabilities will be major discussion topics. The BIA operates an industrial development program Which assists industries in all three phases of plant relocation and expansion.
NAVAJOS HAVE NEW MONUMENT VALLEY INNKayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, has a $1 million, 80-unit luxury motel, complete with swimming pool, restaurant, and curio shop, and employing about 40 Navajos. The Monument Valley Inn is located at the junction of Navajo Route 1 with the paved highway leading to Monument Valley. The owner-operators leased the land from the Navajo Tribe for 25 years, with a 25-year renewal option. The Tribe will receive seven percent of the gross income from room rentals and li percent on restaurant and curio shop sales.
PROSPECTING AT COLVILLEThe Bear Creek Mining Company, Kennecott Copper Corporation's exploration subsidiary, is prospecting the 20,000 acres it holds under an exclusive prospecting permit on the Colville Indian Reservation in northeastern Washington. Two staff geologists are currently mapping the Mount Tolman area and supervising the shallow drilling operations of a two-man portable drill. This summer, two University of Idaho graduate students, under contract to the Bear Creek Mining Company, will prepare detailed geologic maps of the Mount Tolman area. The Company is seeking a major molybdenum deposit in the area.
POTAWATOMI AWARDThe Indian Claims Commission recently granted a $2,094,573 award to the Potawatomi Nation of Indians on behalf of the United Nations of Chippewas, Ottawas, and Potawatomi Indians of the Waters of the Illinois, Milwaukee, and Manitoocuk Rivers. The award represents additional compensation for more than 3.5 million acres of land in Illinois and Wisconsin ceded to the United States by the Indians under a treaty in 1829.
RECREATION MEANS INCOME TO THE MESCALEROThe Mescalero Tribe of southern New Mexico estimates that one-third of the annual tribal income is derived from outdoor recreation opportunities on the reservation. The estimate includes fees charged by the Tribe for fishing and hunting permits and for use of picnic areas and campgrounds. It does not take into account additional income from a tribally-operated ski resort.
One lake alone – Eagle Lake - contributes $10,000 annually to tribal coffers through the sale of fishing permits. Almost two and one-half acres in size, this manmade lake was constructed in 1961 for $15,000 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs under its Soil and Moisture Conservation Program. A multipurpose project; the lake supplies good trout fishing, provides water conservation, flood control, and a water supply for livestock and wild game.
In 1964, Eagle Lake supplied 5,000 "angler-days" of fishing during the 4-month season. For a lake of its size, this approaches the saturation point for angler use, and is a good indication of its popularity with fishermen.
The many potential sites for similar manmade lakes on the reservation, plus the scheduled opening in July of a new fish hatchery, indicate further opportunities for development of recreational fishing areas.
