The recent 2019 Tribal Management Institute (Institute), which took place on March 19–22, 2019, at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, provided technical assistance to tribal lead agencies in the areas of capacity‑building and the enhancement of supports for effective administration and program management to successfully implement the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule requirements.
The Institute began with an Invocation by Billy Friend, Chief of the Wyandotte Nation, and Welcoming Remarks from Shannon Christian, Office of Child Care Director, on Setting the Stage for Skill-Building and Leadership Development. The Keynote Speaker was D.J. Vanas—the President and founder of Native Discovery, Inc., and a member of the Odawa Nation of Michigan—who uses “Native American warrior spirit principles to inspire audiences to lead with courage; thrive in tough conditions; and build united, resilient tribes in business and in life.” His presentation, Victory by Design, addressed several topical areas, such as ideas for tribal CCDF administrators and staff members to improve the delivery of services for children and families who are part of the tribal CCDF program, the need to manage the element of change in the context of CCDF program administration and new ways to deliver services, and the importance of taking care of oneself while helping tribal children and families. Please click on this link to view Mr. Vanas’ Keynote Speech .