A Nation hires a new accountant at $58,000 because that is what the market required to fill the seat. Three doors down sits an accountant with eleven years of service earning $59,200. The gap between them is $1,200 for eleven years of loyalty. In a workplace where...
A compa-ratio is one number: an employee’s pay divided by the midpoint of their pay range. An accountant earning $52,000 in a range with a $61,000 midpoint has a compa-ratio of 85%. She is paid 15 percent below the middle of her own range. Tracked across a workforce,...
The Time to Diversify is Now
The Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) is one of the largest federal investment packages passed in recent years, touching nearly every sector of government, infrastructure, and public services. While the bill does not target Tribal Nations exclusively, its provisions could...
We’re proud to announce that Blue Stone Strategy Partners will be attending the 2025 NNAHRA Annual Conference, the leading forum for Tribal Human Resources professionals committed to building stronger, more resilient Tribal Nations. Across Indian Country, many Tribes...
A Law That Changed Everything Fifty years ago, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) marked a monumental turning point in federal Indian policy. Prior to its passage in 1975, U.S. policy was dominated by assimilation, relocation, and...
As concerns continue to rise about the future of rural America—its economy, healthcare access, housing availability, and job opportunities, a critical truth remains too often overlooked: Native American communities are not just a part of rural America. In many places,...
From the Desk of Dustin Haverkamp: In an increasingly competitive and complex labor market, Tribal governments and enterprises must ensure their compensation practices are fair, competitive, and aligned with long-term strategic goals. However, determining where your...
For decades, Tribal Nations have climbed the summit of economic sovereignty, trailblazing through challenges with resilience and vision. One of the greatest peaks conquered was the rise of Tribal Gaming. With the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in...
Across Indian Country, economic development has long been a pillar of Tribal sovereignty and prosperity. From gaming operations to renewable energy ventures, Tribal Nations have harnessed new enterprises not simply as revenue generators but as catalysts for stronger,...
“The federal-dependency model is terminally ill, and no amount of political optimism willresurrect it. Tribes can either design their economic future or have it designed for them.”— Joe Nayquonabe, Chief Strategy Officer, Blue Stone Strategy Partners Carpe Diem “Seize...
Indian Country Priorities in the changing Federal landscape: Economic Development as a Path to Self-Sufficiency
By Joe Nayquonabe