I think what's important--part of that mission said that the Federal government probably ought to have is how do you start eliminating those programs that make sense to eliminate--to wean that dependency on Federal structure.

From an economic development point of view, what can tribes do to become more economically diverse?

Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call to order this field hearing of this Senate Indian of Affairs Committee.

Our tribes are a model for tribes around the country on economic development, education, health care, and countless other areas.

If we really as a country wanted to make a commitment to Native American entrepreneurs, we could do that through doing that same type of program.

What can the Federal government do away with to help tribes in their economic development?

This is a very important conversation.

Oklahoma tribes have been incredibly successful on the whole and there are many things that can be shared with other tribes.

What have you seen, as far as the success rate in the 8(a) programs, as far as, at the end of that 9 years; by your 10, 11, 12, that business still exists?

You have spent a great deal of your time serving, so thanks for doing that.

If it's not possible to do that--if a business or a home or whatever it may be, is still locked into that system, you can't build a growing sense of wealth.

Thank you for being here and the way that you invest in your tribe.

I am pleased that this Committee is elevating the issue of economic success in Indian Country.

There's still a lot of work to be done to ensure Native American children grow up with the same opportunities as every American child.

If the tribes don't work together, if they are not trying to work out their differences... then you have a really fractured situation.

So it takes an act of Congress, literally, to move water from one area to another area within a State.

OK. Any other ideas on that specifically?

We are trying to gather other insight from other individuals as well.

Let me just throw one thing in there as well.

Best time to be able to negotiate this, in a time of drought or a time of plenty?

I want this panel to know that we are very interested in hearing the specific ideas because we want to help in this process.

I think program implementation is extraordinarily important.

Gentlemen, thank you for being here. I appreciate the conversation on this. These are obviously extremely complicated issues.

I think we need--or if there is going to be demonstration, for instance, the demonstration project authority we have now is awkward, bulky, and it was set up in 1978.

The federal government has a responsibility to uphold its commitments to Native Americans.