NATIVE NATION BUILDING TV:
Segment 7

Tribal Service Delivery discusses the issue of Native nations' administration of service delivery in Native communities. It examines the unproductive ways services and programs have been administered in many Native communities in the past and the innovative mechanisms and approaches some Native nations are developing to maximize limited financial and human resources.

NATIVE NATIONS INITIATIVES FEATURED

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, located in Minnesota, is one of the first tribes in the country to assume control of all federal governmental services and programs provided to its citizens. Fond du Lac's success stems not only from its willingness to exercise practical self-determination in order to tailor programs and services to meet the needs of the local community, but also its commitment to the development of a political and institutional culture that supports initiative and experimentation and encourages innovation and self-improvement.

Photo: "Parents: Be a Good Example of a Good Example," Fond du Lac Reservation Calendar, 2006 (Courtesy: Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)

For example, a primary goal of the Fond du Lac government is to care for the well-being of its citizens, particularly its youngest citizens. In the past, the federal government oversaw the placement of Fond du Lac youths in foster care. The result was that many ended up non-Native homes with no way of remaining connected to their Fond du Lac community and culture. In response, Fond du Lac established its Foster Care Licensing and Placement Agency, which took control over foster care placement of tribal youths through the licensing of off-reservation Native foster parents.

This Agency—which is a separate non-profit entity chartered under state laws—contracted the Fond du Lac government's Division of Human Services to provide all programmatic and administrative services. The arrangement solved any jurisdictional issues, allowing the Band to legitimately seek off-reservation, Native home placements without interference from other governmental agencies.

Since its inception, the program has produced astonishing results. The Agency has licensed 58 off-reservation Indian homes, and has placed more than 70 children each year since 1995. In demonstrating capable self-governance through service delivery, Fond du Lac has insured current and future Fond du Lac youths the chance to maintain their culture and identity.

Related links
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Fond du Lac Human Services
Fond du Lac Foster Care Licensing and Placement Agency
Fond du Lac Pharmacy On-Line Billing Initiative


Native Nations Mentioned

Yavapai-Apache Nation
Yavapai-Apache Nation

URL links verified July 19, 2006