WASHINGTON – Interior Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Carl J. Artman announced today that tribes and tribal organizations will team up with numerous federal agencies at the National Native American Economic Policy Summit, May 15-17, 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona to brainstorm and come away with sound economic policy recommendations for Indian Country. This unprecedented effort will bring together federal policymakers, tribal leaders, Native entrepreneurs, tribal economic development professionals, and the private sector for a high-level economic development policy dialogue.
“What is planned is something radically different from other conferences. This one will have vigorous and stimulating roundtable dialogues in which participants have a hand in developing economic policies for Indian Country,” said Carl J. Artman, Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs.
The primary goal of the Summit will be to identify federal policies that have successfully stimulated tribal economies as well as persistent barriers that can be addressed through policy enhancements. These recommendations will be developed through facilitated roundtable conversations and the sharing of best practices. Three key policy areas will be addressed at the Summit: 1) physical and legal infrastructure; 2) access to capital and financing; and 3) building competitive businesses in international and domestic markets.
“Federal decision makers will be listening carefully to what Native leaders, entrepreneurs, lenders, and academicians say because many of their recommendations may become action items for federal agencies in the future,” said Artman.
The Summit will also incorporate The World Café discussion method, a modern brainstorming method of dialogue, as well as the three tracks of discussion topics that have been identified as key areas to begin organizing business in tribal communities.
The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Office of Energy and Economic Development at the Department of Interior in collaboration with other federal agencies, the National Congress of American Indians, tribes and tribal organizations are conducting the Summit.
For more information, please visit www.ncai.org or www.doi.gov/bureau-Indian-affairs.html