Working In Indian Country

Larry Keown's book "Working in Indian Country" is an invaluable tool to businesses, governmental agencies, Native American studies programs, and anyone who wants to learn about building successful business relationships and working with American Indian Tribes.

Understanding that relationships come first and business comes second is the first step in developing a successful business relationship when working with American Indian Tribes. That pearl of wisdom and others are what you will take away from "Working in Indian Country." It is the definitive work on how to successfully build trust and long-term working relationships with tribal leaders.

Born out of nearly twenty years of working with American Indian tribes as a federal official, business owner, and seminar facilitator, Larry Keown's "Working in Indian Country" lays a foundation for relationship building based on redefining your leadership role through understanding history, trust, respect, honor, tribal sovereignty, communication and trust building protocols. There is little doubt you will experience a paradigm shift in how you currently think about working with American Indian tribes.

A portion of the sales proceeds from "Working In Indian Country" is being donated to the Association on American Indian Affairs.

Reviews

"Practical, informative, highly readable road map to achieve success in Indian Country. Every organization dealing with American Indian tribes should have a line of top management people who are familiar with the contents of this book."

-Dr. Jeff Sanders, Professor, Chair Department of Sociology, Political Science, Native American Studies, and Environmental Studies Montana State University – Billings

"As I read and re-read this book, each time it was more and more like sitting in our old log house and watching and listening to the elders, learning from them how I was to approach and visit with them with all the respect and honesty they deserve….Larry gives rock-solid advice—this is a guide and a message—that now is the time to understand and acknowledge the necessity of working with tribal people on their terms…I have never run across a person who has captured these abilities and knows how to present it so we can all continue to learn from it."

-Gerard A. Baker—Mandan-Hidatsa Retired, National Park Service Assistant Director of American Indian Relations and Superintendent, Mount Rushmore National Memorial

"[This book] should be required reading for all non-Indian… people before they're allowed to work with tribes."

-Jim St. Arnold Past Tribal Chairman and Council Member Keweenaw Indian Community, Ojibwa, Michigan

"I think that you make many interesting and perceptive observations, which will be valuable to non-Indians who do not have much experience working with tribes. You have put an impressive amount of time and effort into thinking about this topic based upon your experiences and listened carefully to what Indian people have had to say. All of this is reflected in your book and you provide a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of meaningful consultation with Indian tribal nations."

-Jack Trope Executive Director American Association on Indian Affairs

"It's great, easy reading, very colloquial, and has both common sense and expert sense. It belongs on every line officer's library shelf in every agency."

-Alan Dorian

Author: Larry D. Keown

Larry Keown graduated from the University of Montana and the University of Idaho receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Forestry and Natural Resources Management. He began his career with the USDA Forest Service in 1975 holding numerous technical, management, and leadership positions.

In 1998, Larry founded LDK Associates, LLC, a company dedicated to providing educational and consulting services to government and businesses in the area of tribal-government-corporate relations. His clients have included federal, state and local governments, businesses, chambers of commerce, weed and pest districts, economic development districts, school districts, and American Indian tribes.

Larry has extensive experience assisting government agencies and corporate entities that desire or are required to collaborate and consult with tribes on a diversity of issues, such as sacred sites, economic development, energy development, interpretative exhibits, telecommunications, transportation, education, leadership, and trust and relationship building. In addition, he has assisted tribes in economic development, grant preparation, working with government and corporate entities, sacred sites, tribal community assessments, and more. Larry began offering workshops on tribal relations in 2000, training thousands of government and corporate leaders and managers. After seven years of collecting vital information on tribal relations he completed his recent book "Working in Indian Country."

Workshops

"Working In Indian Country: Building Successful Business Relationships with American Indian Tribes" is an interactive one or two-day professional development workshop designed for federal, state, and local government officials and business leaders who have a need, or are required, to develop working relationships with American Indian tribes and organizations.

The process of developing effective working relationships with American Indian tribes and organizations requires knowledge and understanding of: American Indian history, organizational protocol, trust and relationship building principles, communication, and fostering a collaborative environment.

Past Participants

Federal Departments and Agencies - Agriculture (Rural Development, Farm Service Agency), Natural Resources (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Protection Agency), Veterans Administration, National Guard, Federal Reserve Bank, Department of Justice, Congressional Staff, Small Business Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and more
State Agencies - Transportation, Agriculture, Corrections, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Resources, Commerce, Lands, Attorney General, Indian Affairs, Conservation Districts, Family Services, Small Business Development Centers, Health Services, Environmental Quality, Governor's Cabinet, Natural Resources and Conservation, Extension Services, and more
Local Governments - Mayors, County Commissioners, School Districts, Planners, Administration, Roads, Law Enforcement, Economic Development, and more
Universities and Colleges
Non-Profit Organizations - Housing, Rural Development, Disabilities, Women's Business, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and more
Tribal Governments and Tribal Organizations
Private Sector - Banking, Energy, Telecommunications, Consultants, Engineering, and more

The workshop is instructed by Larry Keown (Author, Consultant, and Educator).

To schedule a workshop please Contact Us.

Contact

Phone:

(307) 751-0540

Mailing Address:

Working In Indian Country
36 Pine Lane, Suite One
Sheridan, WY 82801