Connecting Communities

Building bridges between reservation communities and urban Indian communities.

"We must find a way to cross over from tribal issues into urban Indian issues so [together] they become American Indian and Alaskan Native issues."

       - Ben Sherman, Western American Indian Chamber
         Comments to the General Assembly of the National Congress of American Indians
         November 2007



The needs of reservation-based and urban Native people are not a cause for division but instead for united action to achieve a better future for all Native people. The Connecting Communities program develops linkages among reservation communities and urban Indian communities to leverage the necessary resources and expertise for building stronger, healthier Native American families and communities.



Building Connections Among Tribes and Urban Indian Communities

It is the belief of the NUIFC that when Indian communities (on and off reservation) focus on working together, the whole Native community benefits. It is clear that more could be done to connect urban Indians with reservation and other non-urban Native communities. By engaging their citizens who do not reside on the reservation, tribal leaders are offered the opportunity to:

Enhance Native political influence: This is expressed through increased numerical voting power at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels and a more diverse constituency that can engage a broader range of policymakers.

Revitalize and protect culture: Some research indicates that urban Indians would prefer to move back to the reservation if adequate socioeconomic conditions and opportunities existed. By engaging citizens that do not reside on the reservation, tribal leaders can enhance connections to urban Indians and, as citizens desire, prepare them for a potential return home.

Access valuable human capital: Urban Indians include very accomplished professionals, many of whom would like to contribute to their community and some of whom would like to return to live in the community permanently. Structures that encourage regular visits or permanent relocation to the reservation will significantly increase the human capital available to the tribe.

 - Urban Indian America: The Status of American Indian and Alaska Native Children and Families Today