Although tribes are developing programs to expand the number of businesses on the reservation, most residents find it difficult to find a job near their homes. Few, if any, large companies are based on tribal lands. As a result, on some reservations the unemployment rate is as high as 70 or 80 percent. Moreover, reservation jobs are often low paying or seasonal and offer limited opportunities for promotion.

Government Jobs

Because there are so few private companies operating on the reservations, the majority of residents work for public agencies. One of the largest is the tribal government, which employs administrative assistants, clerks, secretaries, and bookkeepers. Not all tribal employees work in offices, however. Some tribes employ groundskeepers to mow grass, trim trees and shrubs, plant flowers, and pick up trash. Still other tribes hire individuals to service and repair equipment.

Many people are employed by the...