take that to heart every day.” Idaho State Representative Paulette Jordan started by acknowledging her grandmother the late Lucy Covington. Jordan said, “She was extremely proud and confident in her words and movement when it came to standing up for what was right, against all the odds. It is something that I learned to utilize as an inspiration, at every level of government, you must present your authority in a respectful manner.” Pata asked when you have a vision in moving forward, how do you inspire others to follow? Benjamin said, “Practice makes perfect. If you don’t go out and talk to the people in your Communities, you cannot make adequate decisions on their behalf. I sit and listen and become the voice of my people at their direction.” She continued, “We have a lot of talent in Indian Country, and our leadership is always there to lift each other up.” Burnette added, “Bring your people into a circle, communicate with them in every way.” She talked about her early leadership skills. “I guess I was blessed early on. I found myself in leadership in my early schooling days in our dormitories. I think it just came to me. It has always been about coming together to make it right. However, you learn, apply it, but working together and valuing the opinion of others is always important. Share, don’t be afraid, don’t be shy, it’s okay to make a mistake because, in the end, we are all going to be one.” Jordan told the audience, “When asked how I get into these roles, I say that I had elders in my community and leaders saying ‘let’s bring this young woman forward,’ one of which was my grandmother who gave me the microphone. I was a shy young girl, but that constant push from the people I respect helped me out. Part of my balance is my mother would encourage me to visit my elders every day after school. I learned and have applied those teachings and have projected those values in leadership. It is all about service and only
wanting to help.” “In speaking about the tough positions you are put in, how do you lead in those challenging situations, how do you center yourself?” Pata asked of the panel. Benjamin remarked, “I had the good fortune of going through a tough political time in my life when I was pushed away. My mother instilled values to her children in the way she raised us that gave us a base to deal with hardship. I always learned to draw strength from my ceremonies, my family and my friends and that has kept me grounded and gave me the ability not to strike back.” Burnette replied, “I learned from my grandmother to ‘just listen, don’t talk back.’ I’ve had lots of challenges also being a female leader. My ideas would often be pushed to the side. My desire was always to be a tough, effective leader. I always go back to the teaching in my life, and I am proud to say that has brought me to where I am at today in leadership, I always remember those lessons from grandma.” Jordan added, “When I go home, I get flattery or arrows, but my mother is the person who keeps me grounded. She makes sure I acknowledge all of the people, and she keeps me in the right space. I learned to ask my elders to give me the right to speak. We learn to do it the right way as a unique Indigenous woman. It is important to stay connected to our cultural and spiritual values to stay grounded and centered.” Pata commended the panelist for their part in having these real-life conversations. She closed by saying, “As Native leaders, we make decisions about the values we take into the future and because it is so much a part of our lives and the generations to come, what you heard today is how they value that future and those contributions they make to it. Ultimately, what is at stake for them is not about them. It has everything to do with how we shape the world that our children will want to live in.”
Native Women’s Leadership Panel brought together four of the most influential American Indian women leaders throughout Indian country. In the photo L-R: Bernadine Burnette, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Paulette Jordan, Idaho State Representative and NIGA , Melanie Benjamin, Executive Chief of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Jackie Pata, Executive Director of NCAI. e.
21 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - TRADESHOW EDITION 2017
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