Wonder what the state of your relationship is with a particular Indian tribe or tribes? Many agencies/organizations have a false perception that relations are “just fine.” However, when visiting with tribal representatives one finds that these relationships are often ineffective, sometimes strained and in need of repair. Only an objective Relationship Assessment can determine the issues, root causes and actions needed to improve working relationships with Indian tribes and organizations.
LDK Associates, LLC offers Relationship Assessments between tribes and agencies/organizations. Too often, agencies/organizations are overwhelmed with the magnitude of the issues they are addressing. LDK Associates, LLC gets up on the “balcony” and views the situation in an objective approach. These assessments provide the agency/organization with critical information they can use to improve or rebuild effective working relationships with Indian tribes.
Benefits of a Relationship Assessment
The Relationship Assessment provides agencies/organizations critical information they need to build effective working relationships with Indian tribes and organizations. Agencies/organizations may use the assessment to:
- Prioritize tribal issues within their organization
- Prioritize work needed to address tribal issues
- Develop budgets to address tribal issues
- Develop strategic plans to address tribal issues
- Organize programs to address tribal issues
- Realign their organization to best manage tribal issues
- Develop more effective tribal participation for programs and projects
- Develop training programs to improve the effectiveness of working with tribes
- Build long-term trust and effective working relationships with tribes
How the Assessment is Conducted
Relationship Assessments use a qualitative analysis to determine root causes of relationship problems and/or issues. Tribal representatives and agency/organization staff are interviewed using an open ended objective questioning strategy. No leading questions are posed and interviews allow free dialogue and discussion of issues agencies/organizations and tribes are facing.
Responses to questions are compiled and analyzed to determine issues and
potential causes of issues. Compiling the information into manageable issues,
the agency/organization is better prepared to develop a strategic approach to
building effective working relationships. This qualitative analysis allows
agencies/organizations to prioritize and focus efforts on the most pressing
issue(s).
A final report is prepared and duplicate copies are provided to the contracting
agency/organization. The report contains an executive summary, background
statement, findings, a list of issues by importance, suggested actions to
address the issues, and conclusion. A matrix of findings, issues, and suggested
actions is included to provide a easy to understand overview of the assessment.
What will a Relationship Assessment Cost?
Cost of a Relationship Assessment will vary depending on a number of elements, such as:
Number of tribes
Number of issues
Complexity of issues
Distances between the agency/organization and tribal office(s)
Follow-up Work
A pre work meeting (face to face or phone) is required for LDK Associates, LLC to provide the requesting agency/organization with a firm quotation. Please contact us at:
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