WASHINGTON - The National Summit on Emerging Tribal Economies, which is scheduled for September 16-19,2002, in Phoenix, Ariz., supports President Bush's goal for creating economic security for all Americans. "The President will not be satisfied until every American who wants a job can find a job, and all Americans have economic security," said Ruben Barrales, the president's deputy assistant and director of Intergovernmental Affairs, in a letter to tribal leaders on August 15, 2002.
The National Summit, hosted by Interior Secretary Gale Norton, will seek ways to create 100,000 jobs in Indian Country by 2008 and establish sustainable, market-driven tribal economies by 2020. "The President's economic agenda invests in people by creating jobs, expanding opportunities to save and invest, and providing a good education," Barrales said. Chairing the conference's steering committee is Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Neal A. McCaleb.
Presentations will focus on the nuts and bolts of creating and sustaining economic systems in a tribal environment. Participants will be able to choose from a wide range of industry tracks in business areas such as fossil and renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture, utilities and telecommunications, hospitality and tourism, aerospace, health care, construction, media and finance. In addition, the event will showcase a myriad of successful Indian businesses. 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.
Federal agencies partnering with Interior to support the summit are the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration, Minority Business Development Agency and Bureau of the Census; the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Transportation and Treasury; the Federal Communications Commission, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Small Business Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Community Development Investment Fund and the Federal Reserve.
For conference registration and other information visit www.doi.gov/special or www.lakotamal1.com/nationalsummit.
