Tribal Leaders Institute

A service of Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc.

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The Tribal Leaders Institute (TLI) has two goals:

1. Provide character education that will decrease funds lost by tribal programs through ethical violations, and
2. Galvanize tribal members to demand ethical behavior from their leaders and themselves. What makes SLC’s ethics workshops unique? Our training is based on traditional Native American values of honesty, courage, perseverance, and generosity. We focus not on theory but on leading by example.

"Among the Dakotas lying and stealing from other tribal members was a capital offense. A person who was capable of lying was believed to be capable of committing other cowardly crimes against the tribe and was put to death to prevent the evil from doing more harm. If a person stole from another tribal member he was forever after called Wamanon (thief) and this distinction followed him for the rest of his life. " - Charles Eastman, Dakota 1858 – 1939

1. Introduction to Ethical Issues on Indian Reservations
This “introductory” course gives an overview of ethical issues on Indian Reservations today.

2. Courageous and Ethical Managers Managers need four basic functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling but even more they need four traditional values of courage, honesty, perseverance and generosity to guide them.

3. Courageous and Ethical Governing Boards Encourage governing board members to make courageous and ethical decisions.

4. Becoming a Responsible Worker How values of courage, honesty, perseverance and generosity will help you become a valuable employee.

5. Ethical Decision-making for Tribal LeadersCourageous, ethical and responsible government.

Dr Longie’s Most Recent Entries

Editorial: Request to Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D to End Feud

This version was sent to the Grand Forks Herald today. They may, or may not print it. If they do they may modify it:We Dakotas are easy to get along with, after all; our very name signifies, friends and/or...

The History of the Fighting Sioux by Franklin Sage

In North Dakota, one the most controversial social issues encompass the University of North Dakota's school nickname "Fighting Sioux" and logo of an Indian Head.  I will begin with some editorial quotes that manifest the language to describe the perception...

Nickname committee doesn't speak for Sioux

FORT TOTTEN, N.D. -- My mother, a fluent Dakota language speaker, said this about her beloved Dakota language: "It's very descriptive; you say what you mean and you mean what you say."   This inherent honesty in our Dakota/Lakota/Nakota...

Tanyan wowunkdakapi (Dakota for good conversation) is our free, on-line discussion forum. Join tribal members from around the country to discuss:

• Reservation Ethics Reservation Ethics – discuss contemporary reservation ethics; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
• Ethics in the News Ethics in the News – Comment on and/or post links to news articles
• Ethics in History Ethics in History – Post examples of our ancestors highly ethical behavior and comment on them.
• Joe The Tribal Worker and Susie Sainte. Have your own Joe or Susie story? Share it here.

Dr. De Mars’ recent entries:

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