Working Effectively in Indian Country
for Federal Employees
Don’t let missteps damage your reputation in Indian Country! Develop the essential skills you’ll need for working successfully with tribal partners. In this class, you’ll learn strategies for effective intercultural communication, with an emphasis on how to build strong relationships. Learn how the history of tribal-federal relations can impact your relationship with tribes today. Gain the perspective that will enable you to better empathize with tribal partners, and identify your own hidden cultural assumptions that can block effective communication.
With 573 different federally-recognized tribes it’s easy to become overwhelmed, but we’ll help you recognize and respect cultural differences (and similarities) without stereotyping. Best of all, in this exciting, hands-on class, you’ll be invited (not required) to participate in realistic role plays, where you’ll get to practice effective communication techniques.
Need a training that’s tailored to your region? No problem! Bring this training onsite, and we can work with you to develop relevant case studies and scenarios that meet your learners’ needs. With more than 30 years’ experience working with over 400 tribes across the country, Falmouth Institute is uniquely positioned to provide you with effective, insightful, culturally appropriate training. Let us help you transform your relationships with your tribal partners—contact us today to learn how to bring this program to your employees!
|T O P I C S I N C L U D E
The federal role
What the U.S. Constitution says about Indians
Indian Removal Act
Movement to reservations
Allotment and assimilation efforts
Major Crimes Act
Indian Reorganization Act
Termination and relocation
The Self-Determination era
Key Concepts in Federal-Tribal Relations
Impact of Historical Events Today
- Government-to-Government relationship
- Trust responsibility
- Dawes Act to Cobell
- BIA blood quantum enrollment to mass disenrollment
- Boarding schools to loss of language and culture
- Case studies:
- Oneida Nation timeline
- Klamath termination and restoration
|Indian Country FAQs
Following Policy and Protocol
- What’s the difference between treaty tribes and non-treaty tribes?
- Are all tribal lands reservations?
- What’s the relationship between tribes and states?
- How are various tribal governments structured?:
- Constitution vs. no constitution
- President vs. Chief vs. Chairperson vs. Governor
- Tribal councils
- Clan mothers and other “unofficial” roles
Communication in Indian Country
- Locating your agency/department/bureau’s consultation policy
- How is consultation defined?
- What roles and responsibilities are outlined?
- When and how does consultation occur?
- How is protocol set with tribes and what does it include?
- Documenting consultation
- Court challenges
- Acknowledging cultural differences without stereotyping
- Use of humor
- Appropriate attire
- Words and phrases that may offend
- Common-use language
- Body language
- The importance of the messenger
- Indirect communication
- Use of silence
- Long speeches
- Generational, regional, gender and individual differences
|Special Cultural Considerations in Indian Country
How to Build Trust
- Youth, veterans and elders
- Historical trauma
- Host’s offering
- Time issues
- Importance of land
- 7 generations (the long view)
- Subsistence cultures
- Feast days and ceremonies
- Pow wows
- Family and community
- Sacred sites and secret sites
Case Studies, Exercises and Role Plays
- How to familiarize yourself with tribes you work with
- Active listening skills
- Relationship-building techniques
- Taking the proper time
- Providing consistent attention
- Who do you work with?
- Official and unofficial consultation
- Official and unofficial protocol
- Handling conflict productively
- Being authentic and transparent
- Taking responsibility
- Not over-promising
- Clearing red tape
- Passing “tests”
*Topics subject to change.