CEDAR CITY — Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s visit with tribal council leaders of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah marked a unique day in state history, said chairwoman Lora Tom.

"No governor has sat here with us at this table before," Tom told Huntsman during their meeting Wednesday. "We've had representatives before, but no governor. Let's start anew, government to government. Let's network and partner together."

Huntsman met with the tribal leaders at the Cedar Band of Paiute Tribe headquarters, which sits on reservation land in the middle of Cedar City.

"I appreciate more than you know being here and having you here," Huntsman told the six tribal leaders around the table. "We should be able to work together on economic-development ideas. Let's rally around that."

Leaders of Utah's five Indian tribes each voiced concern over a lack of economic-development opportunities and jobs on reservation land.

Glenn Rogers, chairman of the Shivwits Paiute Band, said he had some concerns and was glad Huntsman was there to listen. Rogers pointed out that people constantly encroach on reservation land in Washington County with off-road vehicles, and little is being done to keep outsiders from tearing up sacred ground.

"Until things are done, it's just words," Rogers said.

Huntsman said monitoring those areas might not be within the state's purview. "We're here to represent the state, not the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the federal government," he said. "I'm not sure we need more in the way of bureaucracy. We do need to know what you think we're responsible for and what the state can do."

Tribal sovereignty and self-sufficiency were central themes echoed by each council member in their remarks to the governor, who took notes and asked questions throughout the two-hour meeting. Tribal leaders mentioned options for economic development that included a golf course near Cedar City with restaurants and a cultural center. Gaming or gambling operations are another option, although tribal leaders said that idea was on the far back burner and would be considered as a last resort.

Other tribal concerns centered around educating children, experiences with discrimination and bigotry, protecting sensitive archaeological and cultural resources, and the lack of funding to provide health clinics and housing for tribal members.

Huntsman said Utah's economy is rebounding and providing opportunities for everyone.

"We'll deal leader to leader so that our children, the next generation later in life, will want to work together," the governor said.

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