Collaborations across Indian Country are vital to the success of any organization, and the Native Nations Institute (NNI) knows this first-hand. The Minnesota-based Native Governance Center (NGC) has been an important partner in our mission to support Indigenous communities and nations as they work to strengthen their governance systems. In February 2020, NGC invited NNI to help facilitate a Nation Building Seminar for the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council. This was NNI's second opportunity to partner with NGC and Rosebud Sioux Tribe—also known as the Sicangu Lakota Oyate—leadership and citizens.

"We were fortunate to have two professional organizations come to the Rosebud and provide some excellent training. They gave us the tools to develop strategies to make our government more effective and accountable to our tribal members. I would recommend every tribal nation to invite them to assist them in their continued development."

– Rosebud Sioux Tribal President Rodney Bordeaux

NNI's Tribal Services team of Davida Delmar (Navajo Nation/Diné), Danielle Hiraldo (Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina), and Joan Timeche (Hopi) traveled to Rosebud, SD, to deliver the two-day Native Nation Building planning session. Timeche added, "It's always great when we can meet with nations on multiple occasions. We have a chance to provide education in stages and to facilitate priority-setting seminars where participants can chart growth and begin to see results over time." For the Sicangu Nation, this was a space where they could learn about the principles of Native Nation Building and engage in strategic exercises to plan for the future of their nation. Participants identified five strategic priorities, and action plans were drafted to begin to strengthen the Sicangu Oyate and their government. The result of their commitment to this process is being realized in stronger governance practices and a healthier community. NNI looks forward to continued work with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Native Governance Center.