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TRIBAL LEADERS INSTITUTEA service of Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc. |
After years of listening, observing, taking part in, trying to prevent, and being a victim of unethical acts such as nepotism and favoritism, lawlessness, embezzlements/theft, chronic absenteeism/tardiness, lies/character assassinations, etc., etc., etc., that are rampant on Indian reservations, I realized something had to be done. This course is part of that something, the Tribal Leaders Institute. Five courses, the first of which you are beginning right now, are supported by ethical resources on all sides, a virtual library, electronic filing cabinet, Tribal Leaders Council Forum, blogs and the Tribal Leaders Wiki.
Here is a preview of what you will see in this course ....
OVERVIEW – WHY WE NEED AN ETHICS PROGRAM
The Department of the Interior alone appropriates over $2 billion dollars each year for the Operation of Indian Programs. This figure does not include billions of dollars that come into each reservation through grant funds from other agencies, private philanthropy, the $14.1 billion brought in from tribal gaming or other tribal enterprises. Much of this money never reaches its intended recipients. It is lost through expense accounts used for personal benefit, payment of individuals for hours they did not work, equipment purchased by the tribe that never makes it into tribal offices and travel funds for employee vacations.
Dr. Longie's podcast on "Why Tribal Ethics? "
BACKGROUND – HOW DID WE GET HERE (A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE) - This section of the course covers ethical and unethical behavior in Native American history, from the Indian Wars to the 21st Century. We try to answer the question, "When did unethical behavior become the norm on Indian reservations?"
CURRENT ERA (1960 – PRESENT) -We have become so corrupt that we view it as normal. We laugh and joke about it. We do not seem to care that some of our behavior and those of our friends and relatives is simply wrong.
FROM VICTIMS TO SURVIVORS - I did not go into all that detail in the previous section so we can all feel sorry for ourselves.. The rest of the course will show you how courage, honesty, perseverance/fortitude, and generosity will help you overcome the issues we face today.
THE COURAGE TO CHANGE - There is a critical distinction between moral courage and physical courage. Moral courage is standing up for one's beliefs, standing up to your friends, relatives, co-workers, and tribal leaders when they are petty, dishonest, or just plain wrong.
WHAT WE CAN WE DO NOW, STARTING TODAY - Our on-line course ends with a call to action, giving specific actions we can do now, starting today to face the reality that life on the reservation is different, the same rules don't always apply and needed changes begin with us.