Morgan Howard

Personal Blog of Morgan Howard

THE NATIVE ENTERPRISE: Business Backwards

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Every Alaska Native corporation (ANC) and many Tribal businesses started a company without having a business.

Businesses are usually created because a product or service provides value and attracts paying customers.   Behind the product/service is an extremely talented individual or group which brings the product/service into existence.  Regardless of available talent, Native enterprises first created a business then searched for a product or service.  This is business development in reverse.

I currently serve on two Native enterprise boards, one is an Alaska Native village corporation board and the other is a Tribal enterprise board.  There are major differences between the two business entities with the major one being land ownership.  The ANC has land and the Alaska Tribal business does not.  However, both entities seek to start and grow new businesses for the benefit of their tribal members and shareholders.  Many village ANCs and Tribal businesses attempt this with little to no capital.

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The Connected Power of Music

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Jason Mraz on the “Professor of Rock” https://youtu.be/jBAHO5s4TD4

Have you ever been to a concert and when singing along to a song, felt connected to everyone there?  Why is that?  Jason Mraz offers up some thoughts on this:

“When we sing along with a song, it’s about, subliminally, it’s about conscious breath work.  When we sing along with a song we have to know when we are going to take that next breath, so we can sing that next lyric.  So, we are awake.  We are not worried about tomorrow, we’re not dwelling on the past, we are awake and alive in the moment.  That’s why concerts feels so good, because you’re singing along with your favorite songs with all these other bodies and your harmonizing and everyone is awake and having a great time.”

This reminds me of a quote from Joseph Campbell:

“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive…”

Here’s three great examples of connected crowds, connected to the artists, their music and each other.

The power of Grandparents

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My grandmothers in Yakutat, Susie Abraham, Betty George and Pauline Henry.

As I was speaking in several SE Alaska villages while campaigning for a Sealaska board seat, I talked about growing up with adversity and the saving grace of the unconditional love of a grandmother. And for me, my Aunt and Uncle, Augusta and Jerry and cousin Mel.

Without identity you are lost. I’m certain I would be lost if it wasn’t for my grandmothers in this photo – especially my great-grandmother Susie Abraham (third from the left) who let me know where I belong.

I felt very vulnerable speaking about this until I met an Elder named Virginia Mata in Ketchikan. Without knowing my speech, she came upon this subject of grandparents and showed me how a grandparent would pull her close – (she pulled me close by holding my hands) – Now, as she was describing what we both knew growing up, I felt her power – Wow! She left me empowered and I gave my speech with self-assurance. What would we do without grandparents?

 

Alaska Native Corporations: Dividends do not define Success

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During campaign season at Alaska Native Corporations you hear the slogan of “more dividends” in many board candidates’ speeches. Candidates promise “more dividends” and “larger dividends” when they talk to shareholders because many Alaska Native shareholders believe that the purpose of a Native corporation is to benefit its shareholders financially.

For these candidates and shareholders, large dividends are the definition of success. To them, a large dividend means the company is doing well and is fulfilling its purpose.

Likewise, no dividend or a small dividend means the corporation is struggling and is failing.

Their definition doesn’t tell the real story. Financial benefits are important, but providing them does not show a Native corporation has succeeded.

Actually, dividends are a poor measure of success. They can conflict with our values and, in some cases, can even hurt our future.

Providing dividends is not the purpose of a Native corporation.

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