Native peoples are telling their success stories on radio and television, building on more than two decades of research from university professors who have spent decades trying to figure out why some tribal governments succeed where others don't.

"Studies are good, but it's more important when we claim that kind of information and bring our own stories forward," said Sophie Pierre, president and chief of the Ktunaxa Nation in Cranbrook, British Columbia. "It's more meaningful for our people when it's us telling our story."

The Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona produced those stories for a 10-part radio and TV series featuring roundtable discussions with Native political, business and community leaders, as well as scholars and educators.

The series explores five basic elements that propel some tribal governments to success and others to falter. The shows aim to help Natives and non-Natives gain a deeper understanding of successful tribal governance.

"The Native Nation Building series is an excellent opportunity for us all to learn and explore contemporary indigenous sovereignty, self-governance and economic development," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who is learning the true meaning of nation building through recent attempts to negotiate a state-tribal gaming compact with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

"Often non-Indian societies have a hard time grasping political sovereignty," Manley Begay, director of the Native Nations Institute, said in the video. "The thought is, 'We have to take political sovereignty away from Indian Country. And then we need to tell them what to do.'

"It's seems as though it's in the best interest of non-Indian society to support political sovereignty. In the long run, when economic development takes place in Indian Country, it affects nearby communities, it affects the region, and in turn it affects the nation as a whole."

The series "helps shed some light on the strength of tribal governments and the role in our society," said Jaime Pinkham of the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission in Portland, Ore. "Tribal governments have to deal with the same complex issues any other government has to deal with. Tribal governments are the oldest and most misunderstood governments out there."

The video pieces are based on academic studies, culminating through two decades of community-based research from professors and researchers at the Native Nations Institute and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The research lists five key areas that help lead to tribal government success. They include the following: asserting sovereignty, respecting culture, solid governing institution, exemplary leadership and a plan for the future.

The work provides a blueprint for tribes to move forward. "We can put it to use ourselves," Pierre said. "We don't need to have outside people coming in, whether they're academics or corporate people, to fix things. We can do it ourselves."

Reach reporter Jodi Rave at 1-800-366-7186 or jodi.rave@lee.net.

Show times

"Native Nation Building," a 10-part television series, is airing on the Big Sky Channel Channel 20 on Bresnan Communications cable in Helena Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m., through January 2007.

Visit the Native Nation Building Web site at www.nni.arizona.edu/nativetv for research studies or to order the DVD series, or call 520-626-0664.