On Native Ground!

Gone Fishing ... On Native Ground!

2009-09-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I've been out fishing, and I'm back. No, not for bass but for the next contract. Now, that I have a few potential clients lined up, I feel more comfortable spending some time blogging. After all, blogging is my outlet.

Now, lets talk about what it means to cast out a line w/the appropriate bait to catch the right contract. First, I make direct contact with a potential client and invest time in getting to know the who, what, where, when and mission of that client and/or organization.

After assessing the client's mission, it is easier to write a proposal to fill the need and offer the right solution that will gain the confidence of the potential client. My personal mission is not just to write a proposal to win the contract but to achieve the best final project result to satisfy both the client and my commitment to bring positive visibility On Native Ground!
- patricia

Overcoming Obstacles On Native Ground!

2009-08-19T07:04:00.001-07:00

The young people had a great time hosting their new show at KRBS, yesterday. Aside from the first 15 minutes of chaos in the radio booth, everything was educational, hands-on training and an exciting moment for all! Unfortunately, the person responsible for providing in-the-radio booth orientation decided to do it when the show began. Even though, we arrived 40 minutes early for the scheduled "operating board" orientation. I have hosted and operated the board for two radio shows and have a pre-recorded show, "On Native Ground - Where Art Speaks!" An orientation is still required by the public radio station and all we needed to know is where the operating buttons were: audition, panic delay, telephone patch, etc.

My colleague and I were not surprised by this woman's behavior in the studio because when we applied for the radio show, we had already witnessed a dysfunction in the process. In the studio, this woman fiddled with the headset hookups, walked in and out of the booth and truly seemed to not want to tell us where the "on and off" buttons were placed in the studio. During the show, she abruptly took the headset off of one of the kids and cut another off during her poetry reading and the kids continued without let up and were resilient. They continued hosting the radio show that they worked all month long to plan. Also, I must add that her behavior is not representative of that radio station. Everyone else we have met and with whom we have interacted, is very encouraging to the kids and supportive of their radio show.

The kids told us after the show that they felt this woman did not want them to have a radio show at KRBS. Instead of harping on it, they continued to plot out their show for next week. They are excited about being hosts and radio Djs and continuing to bring positive visibility to themselves, their tribal nations and the community.

The experience that these four young people, ages 13 to 18 went through was also a good lesson in entrepreneurialism. Many times, you are up against the unknown and the unexpected. However, the dream must prevail! In order to reach your greatest aspirations and to realize the dream you set out to achieve then you must remember "first you dream it, plot it out...ask Creator to bless it and only then will you achieve it, On Native Ground!"
- ppena

It's a beautiful day...On Native Ground!

2009-08-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

Today's guest:
Charlie Mariano, a self-published author of "The Whole Enchilada," a memoir & celebration of his beautiful mother, Maria Alonzo Mariano (11/3/28 - 6/8/05). The author introduces his mother's spirit to us through her recipes, poetry, photos and stories of growing up Californian... while preserving his family's culture and history On Native Ground!

New ventures to seek and plenty of work to complete today. First, I will head out to the Berry Creek Rancheria and prep the radio youth show and encourage the youth hosts of "The Maidu Nation Station" to be themselves. They are young, healthy, confident - but most importantly, they have good hearts. And, you know they love their music, too! These kids want to bring positive visibility to their tribal nations. They are representative of our youth and are ready to meet you, today, via the internet. And, all you have to do is go to:

http://www.radiobirdstreet.org

So, listen in and "watch" (webcam) the young ones bring the station down ....On Native Ground!
- ppena

Managing Time ... On Native Ground!

2009-08-18T01:05:00.000-07:00

Time management is practiced and just may never be perfected. I spent most of my 20s checking my designer watches (one for each occasion: casual, dressy, etc.) to be sure to make it into a lecture on time or arrive to a business meeting at least 15 minutes early. Why? Because growing up Native American, the "Indian Time" stereotype offended and burdened me. It still does. I'm past my bloom of youth and people still impose that old "Indian Time" excuse on me if I show up a little late to an event. Yes, that's right, I do not pull my hair out, or drive over the speed limit because I'm running a bit late. Life happens. That's what I love about maturing.

Okay, it may also be attributed to a 'pausel outburst from time to time As an Entreprenuer, I manage my time and it does not manage me. You can count on me to respect your time. I will schedule to meet with you if I know that I can be respectful of your time.

So, the next time you see me, please do not feel the need to remind me that we are on "Indian Time". Because "Time" isn't going to stop for any of us and like my dad always told me, "It's better to get there in one piece..." Oh, look at the time! It is 1:31 a.m. and I'm blogging about time...On Native Ground!
-patricia:)

I want to be a healthy business owner...On Native Ground!

2009-08-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

In April 2009, my family and I attended the Taking Control of Your Diabetes (http://tcoyd.org) workshops and seminar held in Sacramento. Only one of my sister's is diabetic (type I). My mother is 73 and me and my siblings range from 45 to 55. We are so fortunate that other than my 45 year old sister, none of us have developed this dreadful disease that inflicts so many of us Native Americans. Although, I am overweight since having my first and only child 9 years ago when I was 38 years old, I am strong and very physically active. However, I am concerned about my weight and my son's weight. We are both considered overweight and my son was born at 11 lbs. and I've been consulted many times during his growth to be very careful that he does not develop childhood diabetes. So, today, is a good day for a bike ride! My nine year old son and 13 year old nephew and I will be exploring the bike trails and enjoying Creator's land. It is always a good day to be a healthy Entrepreneur... On Native Ground!
- ppena

First you dream it! (Entreprenurialism)

2009-08-16T02:45:00.000-07:00

"First you dream it! plot it out, ask Creator to bless it, only then will you achieve it, On Native Ground!" - ppena, Kickapoo Nation KS

Yes, and I still believe in those very words that unfolded (or untangled) in my thoughts during the intensive 2007 Entrepreneurial Leadership Training program sponsored by the California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc. (CIMC). I print my mantra on all of my e-mails and proposals and business correspondence because those very words take me back to the first class when our teacher, Peter H. Hackbert, Ph.D., presented to us the one-page business plan and the "3 minute elevator pitch". An elevator pitch is a short presentation that should be descriptive enough to whet the appetite of a prospective business client. The first time he asked me to introduce myself and my business, I couldn't believe that I was at a loss for words. The stuff that I dreamed about doing just didn't seem to come out the way I wanted it to be verbalized. Dr. Hackbert sent us back to our hotel rooms each evening full of hope and with a whole lot of homework to be turned in the next morning. And, you know, our class of 15 came through each time. It was a very rewarding and exciting learning experience for us all. Since graduating from that entreprenuerial training program, I've worked my way into a nice little niche in my community, and I can truly say that I realized my potential thanks to all the thought provoking material and techniques used by the CIMC Entreprenurial Leadership Training program. - ppena

Casino Names overshadowing Tribal Names...On Native Ground

2009-08-15T23:25:00.000-07:00

Something I've been noticing, lately, is that many tribes are becoming more known for their Casino name than their tribal names.

I hear people say things like: "Oh, they're the Thunder Valley people." Or,"she's from the Red Hawk tribe.. "and I'm also guilty of bringing to mind the Casino name, first, because there are so many commercials that remind us where the Winners go! On Native Ground!

Beware of the GateKeepers...
Many of us who are entrepreneurs are constantly up against "The Gate Keepers"!
Do you know who they are? They are the one's who block your every move to ensure that you are not going to get a proposal in to the people who may be interested in what you have to offer them and/or their tribal community. Sometimes, they are Native American themselves and sometimes they are not. One thing they are? Is very insecure with themselves.

Hey, we'll talk more...soon!
-patricia