Module 3 Blog Post - United South & Eastern Tribes

I would like to share with you my findings after reviewing the United South & Eastern Tribes Website.  Prior to being exposed to this Website in this course, I had no knowledge that the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) organization even existed.  According to the Website, the organization itself was established in 1968 with four original founding tribes including Eastern Band of Cherokees, Mississippi Band of Choctaws, Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, and Seminole Tribe of Florida, and they recognized the necessity to unite as a means of having a stronger voice east of the Mississippi River.  To me, this was interesting, as everything that we have learned thus far about Native American Tribes, has been more about individual differences between nations, with diverse cultures and heritage.

 

Given the title of the organization “United South & Eastern Tribes,” it seemed evident to me that this was a conglomerate of tribes, each with their own distinct tribal heritage and culture, coming together, or uniting as a means to establish greater leverage as a regional group.  After reading further, I discovered that USET is comprised of membership from over twenty five different tribes throughout the southeastern region of the United States and was established for the purpose of enhancing the growth and evolution of federally recognized Indian Tribes, while advancing their Tribal government capabilities, and providing aid to members and their governments in navigating public policy issues.  The overarching purpose of USET is to serve the broad spectrum of needs of Indian people.  This organization is truly committed to promoting the welfare and benefit of all tribal members and has outlined a number of objectives to help them accomplish this.  For example, a few of the many objectives are to “promote Indian leadership in order to move forward in the ultimate, desirable goal of completing Indian involvement and responsibility at all levels in Indian affairs; To promote a forum for exchange of ideas; and to combine voices so as to be heard clearly by local, state, federal, and international governments.”  The group’s slogan is “Because there is Strength in Unity.”

To give you a better idea of the shear size of membership, USET consists of member tribal nations spanning the entire eastern seaboard, and extending westward in the south as far as the eastern portion of Texas.  USET represents the interests of its members through functional working groups involved through committee work in culture and heritage, economic development, education, health, housing, veteran affairs, natural resources, social services, transportation, tribal administration, as well as tribal emergency services and tribal justice. 

I really got the feel through the information available on their Website that this organization is quite established, committed, and involved in many areas.  It was also interesting to learn about their intense focus on younger generations, and the recognition of these individuals as critical resources.  The organization has established a Youth Leadership Council as a means to educate and provide exposure to American Indian youth on Tribal cultures, and the legislative and policy making process in Washington, D.C., As stated on USET’s Website, “Youth and younger generations are a critical resource to Tribal Nations to rebuild and thrive.”

USTE is very involved with governmental affairs and closely engages in and monitors key legislative as well as policy activities as related to Indian Affairs.  There is a plethora of testimonies delivered by USET representatives on a number of different legislative and policy issues such as Tribal Recognition Act; trust modernization and reform for Indian land; the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act, and much more.  There are also links to congressional calendars and contacts in this area of the Website.  There is an abundance of information and support links for environmental resource management.  This office was established in 2004 as a means of assisting members in areas such as Solid waste; Technical Assistance  & training; USET Exchange Network, Mutual Aid; Agriculture, and other environmental programs.

References:

United South & Eastern Tribes.  Accessed at http://www.usetinc.org/ on 25 March, 2016.