Throughout our existence we have engaged in economic development policy. From a 1990 major conference on Arizona economic development, through our close examination of the impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the mid-1990s, to our pioneering and ongoing work to link Indigenous economic development with modes of self-governance, we have acted on this strand of our charter. Topics in Indian Country have included analyses of tribal gaming, effectiveness of credit institutions, promotion of entrepreneurship and tribal know-how, and issues relating to home ownership. Most recently, our involvement in economic development is evidenced in research on the economic impacts of outdoor recreation, ecosystem services, wetlands preservation, and local small-scale food production.
