WASHINGTON – Building sustainable tribal economies and creating jobs will be the focus of the National Summit for Emerging Tribal Economies, which will take place September 16-19, 2002 in Phoenix, Ariz., at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. The Summit, which will be hosted by Secretary Gale Norton, is a major initiative that will seek ways to create 100,000 jobs in Indian Country by 2008 and establish sustainable, market-driven tribal economies by 2020. Well over 1,000 attendees from across Indian Country will hear from and interact with representatives from government and business offering insights and resources for improving economic conditions in tribal communities. “A strong tribal economy is a consumer and supplier of goods and services.
A strong tribal economy has jobs for those who want them. Strong tribal economies are good for Indian people and good for America,” said Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Neal A. McCaleb. “The National Summit on Emerging Tribal Economies will begin a dialogue with tribal leaders on the ways they can move forward to achieving their economic goals.”
Jennifer Farley, Deputy Associate Director for Inter-Governmental Affairs, the White House, and Secretary Norton will be the first of several Federal officials to address the conference. Also representing the Department will be Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Lynn Scarlet and Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Neal A. McCaleb.
Kicking off the week will be a golf tournament on September 16 at the Whirlwind Golf Course in Chandler, Ariz., to raise money for diabetes research. Day 1 (September 17) will have panel presentations on identifying the components of a successful company and showcasing successful Indian businesses. Day 2 (September 18) will focus on how public and private sector partnerships can strengthen tribal economies and create tribally-driven capital formation strategies. Day 3 (September 19) will highlight federal agencies and corporate initiatives with workshops and seminars on accessing resources for minority and small businesses.
Other Federal speakers include Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael K. Powell; FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps; Lou Gallegos, Assistant Secretary for Administration, Department of Agriculture; Louis Kincannon, Director, Bureau of the Census and Ronald N. Langston, National Director, Minority Business Development Agency, Department of Commerce; Larry Meeker, Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City; Rodger Boyd, Program Manager, Community Development Financial Institution, Department of the Treasury; Frank M. Ramos, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Defense; Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Veterans Affairs and Susan Houser, Director of Strategic Planning, Marketing and Sales, General Services Administration.
Industry leaders and Indian business representatives who also will speak include L. Kenneth Johnson, President, CACI; George C. Nolen, President and CEO of U.S. Operations, Siemens Information and Communications Networks; Daniel L. Lewis, Senior Vice President, Bank of America; Lance Morgan, CEO, Ho-Chunk, Inc.; Ray Halbritter, CEO, Oneida Nation Enterprises; Leonard Smith, CEO, A&S Technologies; Denise St. Cyr, Director of Corporate Development, CADDO Design and Office Products, Inc.; Rhonda Whiting, Vice President, S&K Technologies; Clarence O’Berry, CEO, Mandaree Enterprise Corporation; Harold Buck Elk, CFO, West Electronics; Kent E. Paul, CEO, AMERIND Risk Management Corporation; Elise Meeks, President, First Nations Oweesta Corporation; Monica Drapeaux, Executive Director, Lakota Fund and Ken Robbins, President and CEO, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
Projected outcomes from the summit include the creation of a catalogue of tribal products and services and initiating alliances for creating business opportunities and living wage jobs in Indian Country.
For conference registration, agenda and other information visit www.doi.gov/special or www.lakotamall.com/nationalsummit.
