Collaborative interaction: Military managers consulting with American Indians

Abstract

This research paper outlines methods for American Indians’ and military land managers’ collaborative work of accomplishing resource stewardship aimed at achieving both the Indians’ “One Earth” and military “Mission Preparedness” postures. The research goal is to benefit military facility managers’ by providing tools to establish interaction programs with Indian Tribes and organizations. The paper provides a process framework, gleaned from on-going programs, directives, and policies identified by reviewing books, journals, and reports. A comparison of the process-streams from several programs was conducted determining steps recurring in the programs. These repeated steps form key processes for use by installation managers in starting and conducting government-to-government relations with American Indians. The research goal is to provide valid ideas, to be implemented leading to improving methods for conducting American Indian Interaction Programs, providing cooperative team management of military installation land. The process strategies are derived from reviewing interaction programs and research into cooperation, collaboration, and management strategies.