LAS VEGAS (December 19, 2024) – Board members from the Tribal Leadership Council recently spoke about their work to empower Native leadership and upcoming training opportunities for leaders in Indian Country.
TLC Board Chairman Justin Barrett, Vice Chairman Andrew “Dru” Alejandre, and Treasurer Mauricia Chavarria led a workshop on “Building Leadership in Indian Country” at the National American Indian Housing Council Legal Symposium on December 11, 2024.
The team explained how TLC was formed to provide continuing education for Tribal leaders and executives to support sovereignty and promote economic growth. TLC provides training materials, speakers, and conferences focused on elements of leadership including Tribal governance, grants and contracts administration, economic development, human resources, investments, and business valuations.
“We were inspired by the elders who shared with us their ideas and words of wisdom. Equally inspiring were the younger staff working in the housing industry who voiced their desire to develop more leadership skills as they build their careers,” said Chavarria, a member of Santa Clara Pueblo. “They see leadership development as an investment in their communities and a means to better serve their people.”
Vice Chairman Dru Alejandre, from the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, shared his experiences being the youngest Tribal Chairman in the country, elected at 27 years-old to take on the challenges of his Tribe. He encouraged people to continue acquiring skills and education that help build community and economies at home.
Attendees at the workshop also raised the importance of food sovereignty, climate change, language preservation and the need for more personal community interactions after the Covid pandemic. Covid limited personal interactions pushing people to isolation, social media and zoom. One elder said the pandemic changed behaviors and traditions in Native communities. He emphasized the need to rebuild leadership and communities by pulling people together to explore and find solutions.
“We’re excited for the 2025 Tribal Leadership Conference being held from June 23-26 at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas,” said Barrett, a member of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. “The conference will feature two certifications for Tribal Human Resources Professionals for Non-HR Leaders offered by the National Native American Human Resources Association, and Tribal Administration offered by KOSO Strategies.”
There will be sessions on grant/contract compliance and monitoring, budgeting, business structures and identifying opportunities, financial acumen, climate change, and language revitalization.
In 2024, TLC awarded more than a dozen grants to support emerging Tribal leaders attend the Reservation Economic Summit, Tribal Leadership Conference, National Congress of American Indians, and the Native American Financial Officers Association meetings. TLC continues to work on securing more funding to expand continuing education opportunities.
About the Tribal Leadership Council
Formed in 2023, the Tribal Leadership Council (TLC) is a board-governed not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that proudly supports Tribal leaders and executives with continuing education and provides tools to better their organizations. The primary focus of the TLC is empowering leadership and promoting economic growth and prosperity for Tribal communities. Learn more here: www.TribalLeadershipCouncil.com
Media Contact: Justin Barrett at [email protected]