Sovereignty
Matters. When Native nations make their
own decisions about what development approaches
to take, they consistently out-perform external
decision makers—on matters as diverse
as governmental form, natural resource management,
economic development, health care, and social
service provision.
Institutions
Matter. For development to take hold,
assertions of sovereignty must be backed by
capable institutions of governance. Nations
do this as they adopt stable decision rules,
establish fair and independent mechanisms for
dispute resolution, and separate politics from
day-to-day business and program management.
Culture
Matters. Successful economies stand
on the shoulders of legitimate, culturally grounded
institutions of self-government. Indigenous
societies are diverse; each nation must equip
itself with a governing structure, economic
system, policies, and procedures that fit its
own contemporary culture.
Leadership Matters. Nation
building requires leaders who introduce new
knowledge and experiences, challenge assumptions,
and propose change. Such leaders, whether elected,
community, or spiritual, convince people that
things can be different and inspire them to
take action.
