Gavin Clarkson addresses Republican president-elect Donald Trump's Native American Coalition in Washington, D.C, on December 14, 2016. Photo: Sharon Clahchischilliage

Opinion | Politics

Gavin Clarkson: A tribal economic contract with President Donald Trump

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Gavin Clarkson, a professor and member of the Choctaw Nation, recently attended a listening session of the Native American Coalition for Republican president-elect Donald Trump. He argues the real estate mogul could be the "best president ever for Indian country" by focusing on sovereignty and economic development:

As a tribal citizen, educator, and economic development professional, I am a zealous advocate for tribes and the development of rural tribal economies. Having just returned from the Native American Listening Session specifically requested by Mr. Trump, I was incredibly pleased with the receptiveness of the transition team to the substantive policies that tribal leaders presented. I was equally impressed with Mr. Trump’s selection of Congressman Ryan Zinke to lead Interior, particularly when Rep. Zinke said that “Most important, our sovereign Indian Nations and territories must have the respect and freedom they deserve.” Perhaps, for once, tribes can have a candid conversation with a President and an Interior Secretary about how the United States has failed Indian country and how the federal government can get out of the way, let tribes help themselves and provide services to their citizens, or as Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates put it, give Indian country a “hand up, not a handout.”
I also learned this week that Mr. Trump has a connection to the best president that Indian country has ever seen, Richard Nixon, also a Republican. Indian Law colleagues across the political spectrum generally agree that Nixon launched the self-determination era in Indian country and was the first president to sincerely respect tribal sovereignty. Like Nixon, Trump could be a great President for Indian country. Many of his campaign themes about empowering rural American, rebuilding diverse economies, removing regulatory burdens, and creating jobs are entirely consistent with what Indian country has been telling Washington for years.
I am hopeful that his understanding of tribal sovereignty and his outreach to Indian country during the campaign and now during the transition are indications that Indian country won’t remain part of the vast overlooked segment of America that the bicoastal elitists have ignored for far too long. It is with that hope that I presented some policy proposals at the Listening Session that could be enacted in the first 100 days of the Trump administration – an Economic Contract with Indian country. These items are low-hanging fruit that would empower tribes to secure and build their economies, create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to the effort to make America great again.

Read More on the Story:
Gavin Clarkson: Trump’s First 100 Days (Indian Country Today 12/20)