Traci L. Morris

Cherokee National Historical Society is hiring a new Executive Director

Executive Director position open: 

The Cherokee National Historical Society with an outdoor Early Contact Cherokee Village, 1890s Indian Territory Village, award-winning Trail of Tears Exhibit, annual juried art shows, rotating exhibits, school programs & outreach, annual events, archives, object collections, genealogy services, publications program, staff of 35 plus seasonal interpreters, $2 million budget and scheduled advancement of master planning for a major capital campaign seeks an executive director. This non-profit began in 1963 and enjoys partial financial support from the Cherokee Nation. 

Essential skills for the executive director include: knowledge of Cherokee history; financial spreadsheet and budget development and management proficiency; competent personnel management and staff leadership; proven success with development campaigns, astute public outreach, strategic planning and delivery success and strong interpersonal, writing and oral communication skills. 

Send resume with references to Director Search, Cherokee Heritage Center, PO Box 515, Tahlequah OK 74465.

Please share this widely with those who might be qualified and interested.

Wado!

For more information, you can email:
Mary Ellen Meredith <noksi@aol.com>

The museum’s website is: <http://www.cherokeeheritage.org/>

Call for Papers/ Save the Date AISA Conference

Save the Date

Call for Papers

 13th Annual American Indian Studies Association Conference

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

February 2-3, 2012

 Conference Theme:

Making the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Work

for Tribal Communities

For over thirty years indigenous peoples from around the world sought to negotiate an international document that recognized indigenous human rights.  The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was passed by the United Nations General Assembly on September 13, 2007.  The document introduced emphasis on collective human rights as an avenue for indigenous peoples to assert protections and recovery of land, culture, government, intellectual property, language, art, civil rights, education rights, employment, health, and other issues.  Indigenous peoples recovered tools to combat discrimination and marginalization.  The passage of the UNDRIP by the UN General Assembly is a moral document, and is not enforceable, except by the agreement and willingness of the nation states that accept the declaration.  The implementation and interpretation of the UNDRIP is left to individual nation states to decide and implement.  Nation states can support the UNDRIP by enacting and enforcing laws that support the letter and intent of UNDRIP.  Indigenous peoples need to be informed, supported, mobilized and willing to negotiate with nations states to acknowledge and uphold their collective human rights.  Indigenous individuals and tribal communities need to understand how to implement the articles of the declaration for their legal, political, and cultural benefit.

The theme of the conference is to explain, understand, implement, and critique the UNDRIP.  What are its strengths?  What are the possible ways of implementing the articles of UNDRIP?  Are there case studies of successful implementation of UNDRIP?  Are there developing legal practice and case law about UNDRIP actions?  What are the weaknesses of implementing UNDRIP?  What are the prospects for implementation of UNDRIP locally, nationally and internationally?  What are tribal interpretations of UNDRIP?  Do tribal communities and peoples believe that UNDRIP represents their interests?  How do tribal communities want to see UNDRIP implemented to protect their land, cultures, and forms of self-government?

Papers

The organizers of the AISA Conference welcome proposals for paper presentations, panel presentations, and workshops on the following topics:

The Indigenous Peoples’ Movement

History of the UNDRIP

Cases Studies of Implementation of UNDRIP

Legal Cases Utilizing UNDRIP

Indigenous Intellectual Property Rights

Civil Rights, Human Rights, and the UNDRIP

Tribal Perspectives on Specific Articles of UNDRIP

Land Rights and UNDRIP Protections

Education Rights and UNDRIP

Language Preservation and UNDRIP

Employment and UNDRIP

Health and UNDRIP

Self-Government and UNDRIP

Nation State Reform and UNDRIP

American Indian Studies Implementing UNDRIP Programs

Any panel related to UNDRIP Issues

Any panel concerning Indigenous Issues

Please send paper and panel submissions to:

Elizabeth P. Martos, Coordinator

American Indian Studies

P.O. Box 874603

Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ  85287-4603

Email:  elizabeth.martos@asu.edu

Native Public Media Hiring Telecom Policy Analyst

Native Public Media

POSITION: Telecommunications Policy Analyst Consultant

Contract Position

Location: DC Preferred

DEADLINE:  May 16, 2011 Close of Business 5PM Arizona Time
All submissions are due by email to: employment@nativepublicmedia.org
Position open until filled.

Contract will be for one year with option to renew beginning June 1, 2011.  This is a telecommuting position.

APPLICATIONS

Must be self-motivated, and work well with people from different organizations and walks of life.  Telecommunications, Native American cultural knowledge and sensitivity required. Experience within the Native American media system a plus.  Travel required.  This is a telecommuting position, but it is expected that the Policy Analyst will reside in Washington in order to participate in various proceedings. AA/EOE. 

1. Please submit resume or curriculum vitae that describes your experience and qualifications.
2. Please provide a 1-2 page-writing sample.
3. Please provide 3 references including contact information and describe the work done for them.

DESCRIPTION

Native Public Media is seeking an experienced Policy Analyst that specializes in telecommunications policy. Good working knowledge of the Federal Communications Commission rulemaking process and knowledge of American Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives is desired.

ORGANIZATION

Founded in 2004, Native Public Media’s mission promotes healthy, engaged, independent Native communities by strengthening and expanding Native American media capacity and by empowering a strong, proud Native American voice.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Candidate must possess:

• Advanced educational degree, including J.D., Master’s degree, or other comparable credential (a Ph.D. is preferred, but not required);
• A minimum of three years of experience in working on Indian policy and/or with American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments or communities;
• Experience in conducting research and writing reports on American Indian policy issues;
• Strong writing, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;
• The ability to take direction and work independently, taking initiative within areas of responsibility, as well as providing leadership and direction while working in a team oriented environment;
• The ability to meet with, solicit cooperation of, and deal effectively with people at various levels and sectors, e.g., tribal representatives, funders, program directors, state and federal officials, consultants, etc.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment; and
• The ability to adjust to changing priorities and growing responsibilities.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the NPM Director of Operations, the primary duties of the Telecommunications Policy Analyst are to:

• Formulate policies and proposals that will advance the telecommunications interests of American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
• Work with NPM Director of Operations and staff to establish research priorities;
• Ensure NPM policy is proactive policy development;
• Create analysis and evaluations using qualitative, quantitative, case studies, survey research, model building and statistical analysis to best define problems, define evaluation criteria, identify solutions and/or alternatives, and best policy agenda, among other objectives.
• Prepare High quality Documentation for publication when needed.
• Assist with grant reports as needed.
• Determine which of various alternative policies will most achieve a given set of goals.
• Disseminate research results through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations.
• Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, and/or statistical sources.
• Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data such as election results and public opinion surveys; report on findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
• Interpret and analyze policies, public issues, legislation, and/or the operations of governments, businesses, and organizations.
• Write drafts of legislative proposals, and prepare speeches, correspondence, and policy papers.
• ·       Forecast political, economic, and social trends.
• Utilize academic research and other resource materials;
• Prepare reports and other written information for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and funders;
• Coordinate the dissemination of information on relevant research projects to tribal leaders, Indian programs, policymakers, federal and state agencies, partner agencies, funders, NPM NPM staff, and other individuals or entities in a timely manner;
• Adhere to NPM core values, guiding principles, and policy regarding ownership of data, respect for tribal Sovereignty and community-driven research and evaluation activities;
• Assist the Director of Operations in keeping the NPM President informed of policy positions and priorities;
• Other duties as assigned.

Native Nations Day at the FCC

Following up on last month’s blog, which provided a short overview of Native American Telecom Issues, is this review of a historic event held on March 3, 2011, at the Federal Communications Commission, Native Nations Day.  This open commission meeting was an example of the FCC’s expanding commitment to Indian Country, which started with the establishment of the Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP), last summer.  The entire staffs of ONAP, multiple FCC offices and all FCC Commissioners were in attendance.   Even more exciting to see, was the room filled to capacity with Native folks, Tribal organizations, and Tribal Leaders.

This well attended event included nearly sixty people who in some way represented Tribes and RSVP’d to the NCAI and FCC Native Nations Day notices. Additionally, there were more than one hundred and fifty total attendees including tribal members, organizations, media, FCC staff, attorneys and others who regularly attend FCC meetings.  The response in Indian Country and beyond has been encouraging.

The purpose of the day, according to the FCC, was part of a “renewed focus on initiatives that will help expand access to vital communications, including broadband, wireless and radio services in native communities across the United States.”  There were tribal leader presentations, FCC office presentations and afternoon nation-to-nation consultation sessions.

Tribal leaders speaking at the event included Jefferson Keel, NCAI President and Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation; Honorable Susie Allen of the Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation; Chairman Robert Smith of the Pala Band of Cupeño Indians and Chair of the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association; and Lt. Governor Joseph Manuel of the Gila River Indian Community.  Jefferson Keel spoke broadly about the priorities of Native America with regard to telecommunications and effective consultations. He further talked about the need for tribal centric solutions and a tribal broadband fund to aid in deployment and adoption of broadband in Indian country. The Honorable Susie Allen reminded the FCC of its trust responsibility and stated “we remain unserved and underserved at Colville. [It took] 47 years to deliver telephone service to reservation families; infrastructure is antiquated.”  Chairman Smith of Pala said “rules have a drastic effect on spectrum on our tribal lands. We need a better way to obtain spectrum for tribal lands.”  Lt. Governor Manuel of Gila River Indian Community spoke of the importance of the Universal Service Fund especially with regard to emergency services, stating, “Basic and enhanced 911 service should be implemented on tribal lands through USF.”  Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. provides 911 to its own community, where other providers failed to do so, referencing the many tribal lands that do not have basic 911 services.

In addition to the Tribal speakers, there were other Tribal leaders and tribal representatives in attendance, including the Honorable Joe Garcia (Ohkay Owingeh), Carroll Onsae (Hopi Tribe) and representatives from the Chickasaw Nation, Pala Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, and others.

Some of the organizations that were in attendance included the National Tribal Telecommunications Association, Gila River Telecommunications, Inc., National Congress of American Indians, Native Public Media, and Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association.  In addition, there was live blogging and tweeting of this event by organizations such as the Center for Media Justice. In Native Public Media’s press release,Loris Taylor stated “We’ve achieved a significant amount of traction in our partnership with the FCC and our work on Universal Service Reform and the implementation of the National Broadband Plan is made easier with tribal representation on the Task Force, with the support of the Commissioners and with the valued coordination of these issues internally at the FCC by the Office of Native Affairs and Policy,” Taylor said. “While we’ve come a long way, this is just the beginning and it is up to tribal members to help forge and decide how we want to shape the consultation process and how we want to empower our own efforts so that Native Americans have access to essential technological services.”  Other press included Sarah Jerome’s article in The Hill.

Actions taken at the morning meeting by the FCC included the unanimous adoption of three items that will increase telecommunications services in tribal areas:

1.  A Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on improving communications services for Native Nations that seeks comment on a number of issues, including greater broadband deployment, the need for a uniform definition of Tribal lands to be used agency-wide in rulemakings, and the importance of strengthening the FCC’s nation-to-nation consultation process with Native Nations.

2.   A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on ways to expand the efficient use of spectrum over Tribal lands so as to improve access to mobile wireless communications, which will provide consumers with more choices on how they communicate, share information and get their news.

3.  A Second Report and Order, First Order on Reconsideration, and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that will help expand opportunities for Tribal entities to provide broadcast radio services to Native communities.

During the afternoon of the Native Nations Day events at the FCC, Chairman Julius Genachowski named 30 members to serve on a new FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force.  This Task Force includes elected and appointed leaders from various Native Nations and FCC senior staff.  ONAP Chief, Geoffrey Blackwell will serve as co-chair and another co-chair will be elected from the group.  Responsibilities of this new Task Force will include assisting the Commission in developing and executing the tribal consultation policy and gaining input of Native Nations related to FCC proceedings regarding broadband deployment and adoption on Tribal lands.

Appointed individuals include:

·       Honorable Susie Allen: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

·       Honorable Marlin Fryberg: Tulalip Tribes

·       Honorable Joe Garcia: Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo

·       Honorable Jeffrey Harjo: Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

·       Honorable Bradley John: Seneca Nation of Indians

·       Honorable Bill Kekahbah: Kaw Nation

·       Honorable Joseph Manuel: Gila River Indian Community

·       Honorable Jim Shakespeare: Northern Arapaho Tribe

·       Mark Bilton-Smith: Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians

·       Lewis Christman: Tule River Indian Tribe

·       Valerie Fast Horse: Coeur d’Alene Tribe

·       Debby Gallenberg: Sokaogon Chippewa Community

·       Pearl Mikulski: Kawerak

·       Carroll Onsae: Hopi Tribe

·       Matthew Rantanen: Pala Band of Mission Indians

·       Brian Tagaban: Navajo Nation

·       Michael White: Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma

·       James Williams: Tanana Chiefs Conference

·       Michelle York: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

·       Chairman Geoffrey Blackwell: Office of Native Affairs and Policy

·       Irene Flannery: Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau

·       David Furth: Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

·       Jane Jackson: Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

·       Elise Kohn: Wireline Competition Bureau

·       Mark Lloyd: Office of General Counsel

·       Kris Monteith: Media Bureau

·       Robert Nelson: International Bureau

·       Jamison Prime: Office of Engineering and Technology

·       Thomas Reed: Office of Communications Business Opportunities

·       Suzanne Tetreault: Enforcement Bureau

_______________________________

This post was originally written for NAMAC

http://www.namac.org/node/25580

A Short Overview of Native American Telecommunications Issues

My New Blog Post for NAMAC

HISTORY

Tribal lands are among the worst served communities in terms of telecommunications in the United States. According to a 2006 GAO report, only about 69% of households on tribal lands had telephone service in 2000.¹ This is in comparison with the national rate of 98%. The report identifies four specific barriers to deployment, 1) the rural, rugged terrain of tribal lands; 2) limited tribal resources; 3) lack of technically trained tribal people; and, 4) rights of way issues. The statistical reality of this means that up to 35% of tribal members and nearly 50% of Navajo’s lack access to basic 911 services.² Broadband deployment in Indian Country is at less than a 10 percent penetration rate and is due to the same barriers reported with analog telephone.³ The bottom line is that Native Americans have been largely ignored by federal telecommunications policy and underserved by telecom providers.

TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND NATION-BUILDING ARE CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Tribes have a different legal status than other minority groups; the United States has a legal and political relationship with tribes.  Tribal Sovereignty is a philosophical term that is legally constructed and came about through the treaty relationship, is limited via legislation and court decisions, and applied through the actions of Native nation building and self-determination.

At the most basic levels, tribal sovereignty includes the inherent political powers of Native nations to self- govern with each of the 565 federally recognized tribal nations recognized as a distinct political entity.  In political reality, Congress, court rulings and treaties have limited tribal sovereignty.

It is important to understand that tribes were not given sovereignty rather sovereignty of tribes was and is inherent and is legally recognized initially in the U.S. Constitution and later through treaties and court cases. The FCC recognizes tribal sovereignty as is evidenced by their Statement of Policy on Establishing a Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes ⁴ and the recent establishment of the Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy.

Any changes in telecommunications access, infrastructure and deployment must take into consideration tribal sovereignty as Tribes actively assert sovereignty as a part of their continued nation building in creating sustainable economic development, education, public safety and other vital community systems.  Tribal lands are characterized by economic conditions and critical infrastructures have not historically been deployed, or grown through market competition, as they have elsewhere in the nation.   Critical infrastructure does not come to Tribal lands without significant federal involvement, investment, and regulatory oversight. Rugged, rural terrain, poverty and historic periods of failed federal policies towards Native peoples and their lands have created a modern atmosphere that requires special economic regulatory creativity.

When the Tribe itself is engaged via tribal centric nation building practices, and its institutions and families are central to the planning, the chance of success is increased.  When tribes are at the center of the planning and implementing process on Tribal lands, this contributes to achieving successful and enduring solutions to the deplorable and long-standing lack of communications technologies in Tribal communities nationwide.

TRIBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS⁵

The importance of telecommunications is critical worldwide, but in Indian Country there is a gap to be met.  Often described as the Digital Divide, this gap is real and affects the daily lives of millions of Native peoples in the United States.  There are a number of organizations working tirelessly on the variety of issues included in tribal telecommunications, including the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Native Public Media (NPM), and the FCC’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy.

Next month, there will be an historic meeting of these organizations hosted by the FCC and the outcomes will be discussed in next month’s blog.  Meanwhile, below are some of the identified issues to be discussed at the meeting.

•    Broadband is the basis and future of economic development, health, public safety, housing, energy, and educational models for the future in Indian Country;
•    The Internet is now classified as a utility and the common carriage for all media platforms;
•    This new digital ecology necessitates Native inclusion;
•    Currently there is an opportunity for Tribes to have a voice at the policy-making table in regards to Broadband development;
•    Broadband is a critical infrastructure for nation building in Indian country;
•    Tribally centric deployment models are most successful in Indian country, not individual residential service models.

Stay Tuned!

–

¹GAO-06-513T: Joe Garcia NCAI Testimony before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate: Telecommunications: challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications for Native Americans on Tribal Lands.

²Comments of NTTA in the Matter of the Connect America Fund, A National Broadband Plan for our Future, High-Cost Universal Service Support.

³New Media, Technology, and Internet Use in Indian Country: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study. Traci L. Morris and Sascha D. Meinrath Authors. Published by Native Public Media. 2009.

⁴FCC: Statement of Policy on Establishing a Government-to-Government Relationship with Indian Tribes, June 8, 2000.

⁵Native Public Media
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