Poster Session #1: UC Ballroom

Turning Tribal Programs into Tribal Non Profits

Author Information

Jim R. O'NeillFollow

Presentation Type

Poster

Faculty Mentor’s Full Name

Andrea Vernon

Faculty Mentor’s Department

Office of Cive Engagement

Abstract / Artist's Statement

Turning Tribal Programs into Tribal Non Profits

Jim R. O’Neill

National Student Leadership Association: University of Montana

jim.oneill@umontana.edu

The path to self-determination is difficult among Tribal Nation. Numerous Tribal Government programs have the desire to be self-determining but lack the template which to work from. Tribal Nations have several historical barriers preventing them from using their sovereign powers. So can long standing Tribal Programs become self-sufficient nonprofit businesses?

The U.S. Government has long sought the policy of Self-Determination for the indigenous population of America. Self-determination is defined as the movement by which the Native Americans sought to achieve restoration of tribal community, self-government, cultural renewal, reservation development, educational control, and equal or controlling input into federal government decisions concerning policies and programs. Dwindling federal funds have left most Tribal programs operating on less than shoestring budgets.

The program which I will use is the People’s Center in Pablo, MT. The People’s Center was a nonprofit at one time because of financial difficulties they were engulfed into the Tribal government fold. Their journey back to independence will show other programs on the Flathead Indian Reservation they can become relatively independent too.

The endeavor of turning a program into a nonprofit business will consist initially in obtaining 501(c)(3) status as well as a business and strategic plan. By performing these three procedures the People’s Center will have a sounder grasp of becoming a non – profit business. Another goal is to obtain a grant writer for the organization. As a program within a Tribal government department, the People’s Center would rely on the department to provide grants which to operate. The acquisition of a grant writer will allow the new business to compete as a sole source entity instead of a piece of a bigger organization. Even though the introduction to the nonprofit world may not be significant off an Indian Reservation, on the Reservation the activity would be considered revolutionary.

Category

Social Sciences

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Apr 11th, 11:00 AM Apr 11th, 12:00 PM

Turning Tribal Programs into Tribal Non Profits

Turning Tribal Programs into Tribal Non Profits

Jim R. O’Neill

National Student Leadership Association: University of Montana

jim.oneill@umontana.edu

The path to self-determination is difficult among Tribal Nation. Numerous Tribal Government programs have the desire to be self-determining but lack the template which to work from. Tribal Nations have several historical barriers preventing them from using their sovereign powers. So can long standing Tribal Programs become self-sufficient nonprofit businesses?

The U.S. Government has long sought the policy of Self-Determination for the indigenous population of America. Self-determination is defined as the movement by which the Native Americans sought to achieve restoration of tribal community, self-government, cultural renewal, reservation development, educational control, and equal or controlling input into federal government decisions concerning policies and programs. Dwindling federal funds have left most Tribal programs operating on less than shoestring budgets.

The program which I will use is the People’s Center in Pablo, MT. The People’s Center was a nonprofit at one time because of financial difficulties they were engulfed into the Tribal government fold. Their journey back to independence will show other programs on the Flathead Indian Reservation they can become relatively independent too.

The endeavor of turning a program into a nonprofit business will consist initially in obtaining 501(c)(3) status as well as a business and strategic plan. By performing these three procedures the People’s Center will have a sounder grasp of becoming a non – profit business. Another goal is to obtain a grant writer for the organization. As a program within a Tribal government department, the People’s Center would rely on the department to provide grants which to operate. The acquisition of a grant writer will allow the new business to compete as a sole source entity instead of a piece of a bigger organization. Even though the introduction to the nonprofit world may not be significant off an Indian Reservation, on the Reservation the activity would be considered revolutionary.