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Exercising Sovereignty and Expanding Economic Opportunity Through Tribal Land Management

Author(s)/Creator(s): Karen Edwards; Peter Morris; Sharon RedThunderPublication Date: 2009-07-01

Copyright Info: Copyright 2009 by the First Nations Development Institute and the National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center

Summary/Abstract:
While the United States faces one of the most significant housing crises in the nation's history, many forget that Indian housing has been in crisis for generations. This report seeks to take some important steps toward a future where safe, affordable, and decent housing is available to Native people in numbers sufficient to meet the housing needs that exist in Indian country today. This study provides first-of-its-kind analysis of a critical barrier to homeownership on Indian lands. It analyzes the success of tribes that have taken responsibility (in whole or in part) for administering the land title process on tribal lands. It also addresses the challenges those tribes have faced. Section 1 outlines the significant obstacles to homeownership strategies for Native communities. In Section 2, the report delves into the experiences of five tribes that are managing aspects of the land title process in their communities. In Section 3, the report details findings from a site visit and in-depth interview at the Bureau of Indian Affairs regional offices in Portland, Oregon and Aberdeen, South Dakota. Finally, Section 4 of the report draws conclusions and makes specific recommendations about the future of land title processing on Indian lands. This report is the culmination of two years of research funded by NeighborWorks America and Stewart Title Company.

Audiences Served: Advocates; General Public; Policy Professionals; Researchers

Type/Format: CaseStudy; Text

Language code: English