From left to right, Lois Risling, Hoopa Valley Tribe Land Management Department, Linnea Jackson, Hoopa Valley Tribe Public Utilities District, Chris McCray, Pawnee Nation Planning Department, Monty Matlock, Pawnee Nation Natural Resources Department, Amy Wilson, SEE Renewal.
12th Annual Tribal Land Staff National Conference
Hosted by the National Tribal Land Association & Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Date: March 21-23, 2023
Location: Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA
Titled: “Planning Basics II”
Presented by: Amy Wilson, Founder & Principal Consultant, SEE Renewal
Amy Wilson, Founder & Principal Consultant at SEE Renewal, was invited to speak at the 12th Annual Tribal Land National Conference at the Pechanga Resort Casino, where she brought together distinguished guest speakers representing the Metlakatla Indian Community, Genelle Winter, David Boxley, Dawn Pringle, and Gavin Hudson, as well as Monty Matlock and Chris McCray from the Pawnee Nation, and Linnea Jackson and Lois Risling from the Hoopa Land Commission to discuss their unique experiences related to planning. Their participation highlighted a collaborative effort across tribes to address shared challenges and opportunities.
The session focused on the successful planning projects facilitated by Amy for the Metlakatla Tribe, Hoopa Indian Tribe, and Pawnee Nation. Each tribe has faced unique obstacles in developing effective infrastructure, land use plans, and economic strategies. The discussions emphasized the necessity of not only overcoming these challenges but also ensuring that the tribes’ traditions and cultural heritage remain central to any development initiatives.
Participants shared experiences about working with consultants who often struggled to align with or grasp their vision. In contrast, Amy’s approach has been characterized by empathy and understanding, allowing her to translate the tribes’ aspirations into actionable plans which articulate tribal goals more clearly and foster a more inclusive approach that acknowledges their traditions and strengthens public recognition of their identity. Many tribes expressed that they had not seen significant progress in years, but with Amy’s guidance, they are now establishing solid foundations for future development.
The session fostered a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration, reinforcing the idea that successful planning is reliant on strong relationships, both within the tribes and with external partners. By sharing insights, resources, and strategies, attendees left empowered to navigate the complexities of tribal planning with renewed vigor and commitment to their communities.
Visit the National Tribal Land Association to learn more about past conferences.
