101 Things Everyone Should Know About Tribal Employment

Book excerpt: 101 Things is about working for a Native American or Indian employer. The phrase “tribal employer” is used to refer to working for a Native American tribe, nation, pueblo, rancheria or community. Many aspects of working for a tribal employer are exactly like working for a non-tribal employer and many aspects are different. This book’s objective is to assist tribal leaders and employees who manage others in a tribal workplace understand some of the differences in a tribal workplace and ways to be more effective in those circumstances. Tribal employers are unique from non-tribal employers and each tribe is unique from other tribes. Because tribes are sovereign governments, the laws and regulations which apply to non-tribal employers may, or may not, apply to tribal employers. That unique aspect of tribes as employers requires leaders and employees to have a working knowledge of self-determination, sovereignty, immunity, jurisdiction and whether certain laws apply. Understanding these legal concepts and how they impact employment related matters will make tribal leaders and employees more effective in performing their roles. The book starts with those legal concepts and moves into employment practices like hiring, managing and discipline.