Alternative Energy in American Indian Country: Catering to Both Sides of the Coin
This article looks at both sides of the renewable energy “coin” in relation to American Indian country. On the one side, it appears that tribal governments are opposed to any energy development on their lands. All told, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth – tribes merely seek a seat at the table when decisions are made regarding developments that will adversely affect their lands and/or areas of cultural significance. Indeed, contrary to being opposed to alternative energy development, tribes are very actively seeking to develop their lands in a manner that is consistent with their cultures and traditions. But, large-scale alternative energy projects are virtually absent from Indian country. This article argues that the oft-overlooked other side of the renewable energy “coin” are the federal regulations that hinder these projects from coming to fruition. The final section of the article will discuss what Congress is – and is not – doing regarding the two sides of this “coin.”
Indian sovereignty and religious freedom : United States public land management and Indian sacred sites, 1978-2014
Combining historical and policy analysis, this study argues that executive and congressional actions have strengthened and deepened the consultation process instituted by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, which requires federal authorities to take into account the preferences of Native Americans regarding the uses of public lands that violate their sacred sites. The consultation process has helped bridge the gap in cultural understanding and knowledge of the Indigenous peoples, federal authorities, and private developers at odds over the management of public lands encompassing Indian sacred grounds. On the other hand, a continuing lack of First Amendment free exercise constraints on official land management choices has left open the door for administrators to allow cultural prejudices shape their decisions in ways inimical to the protection of tribal religious grounds. Improved understanding of Native American religions and of federal policy regarding Indian lands can help advance a new understanding of sovereignty for Native Americans and protect their constitutional right to religious freedom.
Using Activity Theory in Developing Instructial Tools for Project Management Studies
Competence and skills of the project manager are significant to project success. The skills needed in project managersâ work cannot be learned only by reading the books or a lecture hall; one learns them by practice. Therefore, an important challenge for educational institutions is to develop pedagogical practices that allow students to participate in working life projects and to confront real-life problems. Project-based learning (PBL) offers a model that enables students to practice the skills and competences needed in working life projects by utilizing real-world work assignments in time-limited projects. Using PBL method alone does not necessarily guarantee learning result. In order to be successful, PBL method requires effective and competent supervision and guidance of students as well as appropriate tools for instruction. In this study the concepts from activity theory (AT) are applied to development tools for supervising project-based learning.