A time of change — Industry plans cause discord in, out of tribes

Some are "actually bold enough" to question whether Indian tribes can be trusted to stand by the terms and conditions of commercial agreements they sign with those wanting to do business on tribal land, according to a May 2006 report to the departments of energy and interior.

Larry Blackhair knows that sentiment well. One of his duties as manager of Uintah River Technology is to market the Ute-owned business.

"It's very difficult to convince companies that we do exist and that we do have a track record," he said from Washington, D.C., where he was attempting to secure new contracts.

For the past five years, Uintah River has digitized and encrypted immigration documents for the Department of Homeland Security. It's currently looking to expand its services to keep up with new technology.

Prosperity, controversy

"You have to take a deep look at what your skill sets are," said Carey Wold, senior vice president for Suh'dutsing Technologies, a Paiute computer services company. "You can't bring jobs to people they can't do."

Wold, who worked in economic development offices in Uintah County and the state, said tribal businesses become stigmatized if they don't succeed.

"You have to make sure everything plugs in right. Failure is not an option," he said.

Suh'dutsing, which means cedar tree, last month signed a five-year, $8 million contract with Dugway Proving Ground. The 2-year-old company also was recognized this year among the nation's top multicultural businesses exceeding $10 million in revenue.

CEO Travis Parashonts made it clear when the company started that it was not a "jobs program." It exists to make money, and providing jobs is secondary. Suh'dutsing currently employs 28 people in its Cedar City headquarters and plans to hire nine more.

"Best business practices is what these companies run by," Wold said. "They've done a good job not making these companies into political machines."

Still, pursuing a plan to prosper often causes disharmony within the tribe.

The Ute Tribe has experienced much strife since adopting a financial plan to maximize returns on oil and gas leases in the Uintah Basin. The new vision was set in motion with the hiring of Jurrius, a Texas investment banker and financial consultant who turned the tribe's old way of doing business on its ear.

Tribal Chairwoman Maxine Natchees, who stands firmly behind the aggressive proposal, has faced at least three recall elections. She is still in her first four-year term.

Change, she said, has "been very difficult, painful."

Natchees says her vision for the tribe is to follow the financial plan and gain financial stability and sufficiency. The tribe is well on its way, Natchees said. "The most difficult thing is that some people don't fully understand where we are."