"Job training. Work force development. Business creation.

Add basic education and we have the core of what�s needed to raise Indian reservations out of their crushing poverty.

That�s the focus of the Great Plains Regional Tribal Economic Development Summit in Sioux Falls this week.

Of course, none of this is a great secret.

One key: Economic development can�t be imposed, but rather has to come from the ground up. We see that in the successes:

The Winnebago reservation in Nebraska began Ho-Chunk Inc. with small construction projects and now has industries including online publishing and auto sales. Ten years ago, unemployment on the reservation was more than 60 percent. It�s now estimated to be half that.

The Four Bands Community Fund on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota has helped several businesses get off the ground, including an espresso shop and a plumbing business. Its director, Tanya Fiddler, is one of the speakers at the event."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Rebuilding reservations (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/28)

Related Stories:
Ho-Chunk CEO speaks at Great Plains economic summit (4/27)
Great Plains tribes meet for economic summit (4/26)