Community Engagement & Survey Report
In April 2024, Wind River Sage Fund facilitated a series of community engagement meetings and an online survey as part of their Creating a Path to Land Sovereignty project, which is funded by the Economic Development Administration’s Recompete Pilot. Facilitated by Red Creek Solutions, a Native American- and woman-owned management consulting firm, this spring’s community engagement activity was aimed at:
- Gauging community priorities for economic development on sovereign lands
- Identifying preferred business types, industries, and ownership structures
- Understanding desired community outcomes related to culture, jobs, youth, environment, and family well-being
- Collecting qualitative insights from community members to complement quantitative data
Approximately 100 community members provided ideas, insight, and feedback focused on the topic of sovereign economic development, and several themes emerged. Participants felt that any economic growth must be centered on culture, which is the community’s greatest strength. Many participants emphasized how healing and recovery initiatives offered alongside economic initiatives would be essential. Jobs and career pathways inspired by local, community-led models were top priorities. Participants also recognized the importance of infrastructure – broadband, roads, utilities, and facilities – to support economic growth. Community members expressed a deep need for working together across the Reservation in a collaborative way that integrated accountability measures to achieve visionary planning strategies.
Project Map
Community engagement will continue to support the overarching goal of the Creating a Path to Land Sovereignty project, which is to simplify and streamline the business development process and reduce time for start-ups, expansion, and job creation. Ultimately, the project will create a toolbox, complete with information on viable industries, potential business sites, and other resources, for Native entrepreneurs who want to start Reservation-based businesses.