The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation doesn't have a reservation or much in terms of resources. But the small Utah tribe has developed a business that will see $10 million in revenues this year.
"We started out zero," Bruce Parry, the CEO and chairman of the tribe's economic development corporation, told The Deseret Morning News.
The corporation first landed some government contracting work. Now the tribe owns a construction company and is proposing a series of development projects worth more than $340 million.
Not every Utah tribe can tell a similar story. The Ibapah Band of Goshute Indians has land in Utah and Nevada but hasn't been able to start any businesses on its remote reservation.
Remoteness doesn't have to be a barrier to success, says Hubert Dayish, a Navajo businessman. He employs Navajo and Ute kids at his Lickity Split Chocolate Studio in southeastern Utah.
Get the Story:Thinking outside the box: Shoshones rely on intellectual resources to grow an economy (The Deseret Morning News 9/27)
Prosperity has passed these Goshutes by (The Deseret Morning News 9/27)
Navajo, Ute youths find sweet success (The Deseret Morning News 9/27) Relevant Links:
Utah State Office of Indian Affairs - http://indian.utah.gov Related Stories:
Utah tribes seek to improve economy, education (9/26)
Interior called Goshute chairman on cell phone (09/14)
Utah tribes pleased with first Native American Summit (09/01)
Utah governor hosts Native American Summit (8/30)
Utah governor makes historic address to tribal council (07/18)
Paiute Tribe of Utah celebrates 26 years of restoration (06/15)
Utah governor latest to oppose big military blast (04/28)
Editorial: Paiute business demonstrates success (04/24)
Utah governor vows fight against tribe's waste dump (09/13)
Governor lobbies Norton on Goshute waste dump (03/15)