Sitka Tribe of Alaska Strategic Plan. A Three-Year Plan to Transform Tribal Government for our Citizens

Transcription

1 Sitka Tribe of Alaska Strategic Plan A Three-Year Plan to Transform Tribal Government for our Citizens January December 2016

2 Ted A Wright, General Manager January 2013 The Tribe s 10-Year Vision The following three-year strategic plan was based on information collected from the 10- year Tribal Council Vision (2004), and the 2004 and 2008 STA Tribal Needs Assessments. STA goals and priority areas include: Consolidate offices under one roof Positive balance sheet with more unrestricted funds Positive Intergovernmental relations/agreements Exercise sovereignty and expand land base Continue to develop tribal court Reduce need for services and assistance by increasing employment and family health Continue to educate community about racism Improve ferry and transportation services Improve Citizen/Native hire throughout Sitka Work with local organizations/agencies/businesses to increase numbers of Native administrators/managers Work to ensure all traditional foods are available Advocate on Subsistence issues locally and statewide Eliminate native drop-outs in SSD Provide more funding for scholarships Preserve Tlingit language and culture Increase participation in tourism and other profitable Sitka enterprises and diversify

3 Expand Boy s & Girl s Club and develop Teen Center Substantially reduce drug and alcohol abuse Develop Elder care program for tribal citizen

4 Human Resources S-P-C Resources Sitka Tribe Vision Mission<> Goals Objectives Financial Resources Physical Resources

5 1. We will have compacts with federal agencies and agreements with regional Native providers so that the Sitka Tribe Manages all the programs and services provided in Sitka that we are eligible to manage under PL and PL , and Is so coordinated in its efforts to work with other providers that services to tribal citizens are seamless, culturally relevant, comprehensive, and family/child centered. Action in 2012: Much time and energy went into maneuvering to (a) rescind the so-called Stevens Riders, which mandates that Welfare and Health Care reform Act (s) services to Alaska Natives are provided through Native regional entities and not through tribes, and (b) negotiate a compact with the National Park Service to manage all or part of the operations of the Sitka National Historical Park. Originally I had recommended that the Tribe lobby for an exemption to parts of the two laws so that Alaska tribes with more than 1000 citizens could, either directly or through agreements with the Native regional entities, receive block grants or contracts to operate behavioral health programming and provide Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. In a Council meeting in May I was told to seek a rescission not an exemption. [Plan for 2013] In a preliminary meeting with CCTHITA Employment & Training Director Georgia Finau, I requested information about the TANF program as applied in Sitka. The next step is to assess the extent to which the program is working for our citizens and develop a plan for STA to subcontract its operation. Similarly, in preliminary meetings with SEARHC CEO Chuck Clement, some common ground was found in the form of sharing caseworkers and facilities. The next step is to grow our ability to take on more of the SEARHC personnel and programming over a three-year period

6 2. We will have facilities throughout Sitka that are new or remodeled so that we can work in a healthy environment, provide better services to citizens, and spend fewer of our limited funds on utilities, maintenance and repair of substandard structures, including: New 2 nd floor offices above 1 st floor parking on our Tribal Way property that will also serve as tribal court and Council chambers. Remodel of existing administration building for department-program office space and/or Community Service Center Develop Community Center on Healing House property to serve youth, elders, veterans and other tribal citizens. (Via Capital Campaign & ICDBG Grant) Address Community House deferred maintenance needs and remodel via a capital campaign and grants. Change location then complete Tribal Transit Center design phase, and work with FTA to allow Tribe to service non-transit vehicles thereby ensuring the facility will be operated -maintained without running a deficit. Expand Tannery, Gaming and other for-profit enterprise based facilities in Sitka Action in 2012: Conceptual design sketches completed by Jensen, Yorba, Lott (Juneau)... USDA loan applications for 429 and 458 Katlian projects completed in June and still pending an agency decision on the status of community facilities direct loans nationwide. Zoning change for Tribal Way approved by CBS, so maximum use of property now allowed. Tidelands and variance for 429

7 Katlian access through city parking submitted in fall, pending CBS decision. Capital Campaign initiated for Community House and Center projects with kick-off slated for March Successfully petitioned FTA for authority to relocate STA Bus Maintenance facility. An offer letter has been prepared and submitted to Prewitt Enterprises for their Price Street property. Action Proposed for 2013: Consolidate office space development at 456 and 458 Katlian and obtain bank financing if USDA loan is no longer available. Pool $50,000 of 2011 carryover to add to value of property to meet 20% down requirement if bank financing for $1,000,000 is necessary. Revise plan so Healing House property is repurposed for seafood venture or Youth/Elders Center. Budget funds for remainder of 2013 Capital Campaign. Continue site selection and development for bus maintenance facility. 3. Narrow focus of Sitka Tribal Enterprises on Tribal Tours, Transportation and Tannery while also developing targeted opportunities, like high-quality seafood products, to increase profit margins. The gaming machine broke down completely mid-year after having significant breakdowns prior. It was under warranty, but the manufacturer is refusing to replace it or pay us back for our investment. So we are preparing to take legal action. Meanwhile, we are uncertain that bingo will ever be profitable in Sitka, so we are taking our time looking at prospective sites to relocate when we do obtain a new machine. The tannery operation is stabilizing as more workers have been added and are staying in their jobs the past 90 days. The new Deputy GM will help lead the tannery through its next phase of growth. We are working with the Cruise industry to lower insurance requirement as a part of our contract to provide land tours in Sitka.

8 We will await grant funding before continuing development of a tribal seafood company, though I am still doing market research when the opportunity presents. Action Proposed for 2013: Under Development 4. Increase capacity to educate and employ Tribal Citizens Double the amount of funds available to tribal citizens for Employment & Training by 2015 (from 2011 levels), and triple that amount by additional tribal citizens employed by additional tribal citizens employed by additional tribal citizens employed by 2017 and additional tribal citizens employed by 2019 Action Proposed for 2013: Education, Employment & Training will be re-structured under a new Deputy GM position and refocused on Work Readiness and development of a tribal day care center. This work will be coordinated with regional workforce development programs and integrated with STA Cultural Resources and Social Services. 5. Renew populations and control subsistence and tribally operated commercial fisheries for herring, abalone and other species. And work with state and federal agencies to ensure that non-tribal, commercial fisheries for all species do not adversely impact our subsistence and commercial goals.

9 Action Proposed for 2013: Under Development 6. Dramatically increase the depth and breadth of our work with the Sitka School District to ensure the success of our students within a culturally relevant academic program. Action Proposed for 2013: This is part of the re-structuring discussed above. A work plan for the Cultural Resources Commission/Division will be presented at a work session as soon as we can schedule time with Council. 7. Provide a program that ensures the survival of Tlingit language beyond 2019 and into the future. Action Proposed for 2013: Under Development 8. Develop new, effective services for elders, youth and other underserved populations Action Proposed for 2013: Under Development 9. Create a Cultural Resources Commission that ties together the work of the reconstituted SEAICC, SNEP, SSD and STA to focus on the educational and training needs of pre-k through adult citizens using a culture and family-centered approach.

10 Action Proposed for 2013: Under Development

11 How Do We Get There From Here? Stability Cooperation Commitment 2016

12 Wooch.éen!: Working Together

13 Organizational Changes Needed STE Independently chartered and governed by an accomplished, professional Board of Directors. Gaming expanded with Alaska Wild Games on Lincoln Street with Made in Sitka. Tribal Transportation/Transit moved from under STE and established as a new department by Transit Center completed as multi-use facility. Cultural Resource Division formed and guided by an advisory council of educators, artists, elders and culture-bearers. Community House transferred from STE to the Cultural Resource Commission by 2015 Education, Employment & Training to redirect focus on Employment & Training with expansion to Vocational Resource Center or other facility in Recruit regional, state and national partners to carry herring sac roe fishery battle forward. Renew effort to establish a Southeast Alaska Inter-tribal Council. Additional personnel in development - grant writing - facilities management - and project support, as funds allow. Improved communications through more complete website, dashboard e-government tool, high quality newsletters,

14 frequent press releases, meetings-at-a-glance, and engagement in the community/region by Council and management. Add an Associate Tribal Court judge and an alternate by Review and revise codes and ordinances. Clear realty backlog and focus on most critical cases without leaving out those who need routine service. Add to STA property and clear title to property owned. Obtain vessel for research as well as biologist perhaps shared with a regional organization of consortium for herring and other species. Renew the work of the Kayaani Commission and help STE develop tribal harvest sauces and other products. Seek and obtain CTAS, SOC and/or COC grants to integrate and expand social and family services with employment & training. Develop tribal day care center with head start program Develop survey system and then relevant, useful databases for resource development and to guide policy.