Trish and the Indians

As we travel around the country, Trish keeps rattling off the names of little-known native tribes she's worked with.  There are a lot more native groups than most people think.  Most of us have heard of the larger, fiercer groups like Apache, Sioux and Comanche, but darn few of us could name more than a couple dozen tribes if our life depended on it.  In fact, there are 565 federally recognized 'Indian Nations'.  All 565 are included inside the USA, all are included in one or more of 50 states, all are included in one or more of thousands of counties, and some are included, partially or wholly, within thousands of incorporated cities.  Imagine the hassle and legal ramifications of all those interacting governments, each with its own set of laws and regulations.

Hang on, there's more.  Now, imagine the numerous treaties twixt the feds and each of the 565 Native groups.  No 2 treaties are alike, some treaties replace previous treaties, some modify or add to previous treaties.  There are also numerous federal 'Indian Acts' that impact all 565 Native nations.  And finally, there's annual legislation at all government levels - deleting, modifying, adding, redefining, gag me with an addendum.

You now have an idea of the god-awful mess the Natives have to wade through.  Trish helped dozens of tribes, one-on-one, wade through the federal stuff, the housing issues in particular, helping them make culturally relevant decisions that achieved compliance with federal law.  Wearing her educator hat, she pitched classes to dozens more.  I can't imagine myself in that job; within a week, I'd have been a prime candidate for permanent residence in the rubber room.

Trish's role was (she says she's retired now) outside consultant.  My niece, Carina, works with native groups on housing also, but at the pointy end of things, actually getting the structures built.

Trish said that, in addition to the 565 recognized tribes, there about 100 more that are seeking recognition and independent nation status.