{"id":14924,"date":"2021-04-02T10:35:42","date_gmt":"2021-04-02T15:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/jim-james-santee-construction-giant-2\/"},"modified":"2021-04-02T10:35:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T15:35:44","slug":"jim-james-santee-construction-giant-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/jim-james-santee-construction-giant-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Jim James \u2013 Santee construction giant"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a>Native Americans are often encouraged to seek and heed the advice of elders, a hallmark of respect in our culture. Henry James, \u201caka Jim\u201d has done that.\u00a0 As a young man, he took his grandmother\u2019s advice seriously, \u201cIf you cannot feed your family, you are not free,\u201d she often reminded.<\/p>\n

Another prominent elder to influence Jim was his great-great-grandfather Red Leg, one of the Santee Chiefs at the Santee Rebellion of 1862 who survived and then converted to Christianity.\u00a0 Red Leg passed advice which still echoes in the James family: \u201cBe generous and kind. Always help those less fortunate.\u00a0 You must be strong to do that and able to care for your own first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jim shares a story of early reservation days which has been passed down in the family. \u00a0When Reg Legs found out that kin at the Crow Creek Reservation were starving, he organized a buffalo hunt, somehow finding some of the last of those magnificent creatures yielding meat which he personally delivered. \u00a0Conditions at Crow Creek were so horrific that the women picked corn kernels from cow manure to make soup.\u00a0 Then that reservation, like many in the Great Plains was leased to large non-Indian ranchers who paid a pittance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever, I think of that story, I realize we are not so bad off,\u201d Jim noted.<\/p>\n

Thus, as materially poor young man, James was gifted by family traits that have served him well:\u00a0 honesty, integrity, a hard work ethic and the desire to help other Indian people.\u00a0 However, when he started his adventure as one of the first large Indian construction contractors in the late 1970\u2019s there were few mentors; he and a hardy handful of like-minded people across the country were traveling a new trail, figuring things out as they went.\u00a0 While many failed, others, such as James succeeded. \u201cI think we saw the opportunities and managed to take advantage of the help offered.\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n

Though now retired, James still sees much opportunity for enterprising young Indian people.\u00a0 Thus, he shares some insights and recommendations learned from his 30-year success story.<\/p>\n

Develop skills to make choices: <\/u>\u201cYou don\u2019t have to stay on reservation,\u201d James said.\u00a0 \u201cIf you do decide that it is fine, but then you should work to make it a better place for you and your family, more homes, better jobs etc.\u00a0 But you shouldn\u2019t feel you have<\/em> to stay there.\u00a0 In order to leave, skills and education are necessary, and you must pay your<\/u> own way.\u00a0 It\u2019s not always easy.\u00a0 I, for example was born and raised on the reservation and after high school went to college, which was too intimidating.\u00a0 I had low-self-esteem and did not know how to handle the prejudice, being called \u2018Chief\u2019 and all that.\u00a0 The Army provided me with education and skills \u2013 a chance to be successful.\u00a0 That is one option some could consider.\u201d<\/p>\n

Take Advantage of Indian\/minority preference: <\/u>\u00a0Indian preference programs still exist, he reminds, and a first step is to gain certification with your own Tribe and then other federal and even State agencies.\u00a0 \u201cThat will get you the lists of jobs and it is possible to be 100& Indian owned and operated,\u201d he stressed. \u201cThe days of fronts are coming to an end. Indian owned and operated from the top down is what I like to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Promote your business:<\/u>\u00a0 While developing a good working relationship with your own tribe is essential; contractors must also generally travel to other locations for jobs.\u00a0 The quality of your work will speak for itself and word-of-mouth is powerful, but advertising is also necessary he recommends. In his case he credits former Ft. Peck Tribal President Norman Hollow with helping him expand after a first successful big job on that reservation.<\/p>\n

Jim mentioned his company logo which came to him in a dream \u2013 a vision.\u00a0 It features a colorful sunburst of color with the outline of an Indian whose hands are tied behind his back.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I see is a bright future for Indian people,\u201d he predicts. \u201cWe just need to break the bonds of poverty and prejudice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Network\/develop working relationships: <\/u>All agencies have an \u2018Indian desk\u2019, he says, that is overseeing minority contracting.\u00a0 \u201cGet to know these people, ask for their help and advice. That\u2019s why they are there.\u201d\u00a0 He recalls John Catta, a Hopi Indian in the southwest who held that position and was extremely helpful to him. Though you don\u2019t want to become a \u2018conference\u2019 Indian, attending some conferences and training sessions is a good way to make valuable industry contacts he remarks.\u00a0 \u201cThey like to know who they are dealing with.\u201d.<\/p>\n

Creative Financing: <\/u>\u00a0Contrary to public opinion, forget about grants, Jim noted. Getting financing for larger construction projects is a real challenge.\u00a0 He recommends the BIA and SBA Loan guarantee programs which he has used to good effect. \u00a0Much paperwork, including the formidable Business Plan, is required, a particularly good idea in his opinion noting that there are now a variety of technical assistance organizations which will help with that. Suppliers, such a lumber yards are also good sources of credit from his experience.\u00a0 \u201cGive the local businesses a chance, they need to move their product too and are often easier to work with than big chain outlets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Give Back: <\/u>The easiest way for a to give back through construction is to provide well-paying jobs to tribal members, according to James. \u00a0\u201cThere is great skilled workforce of Native people on every reservation and the funds are meant to help Indian people he stresses.\u00a0 \u201cIt is also critical for the owner or the boss to work right alongside of his crew.\u201d He also urges contractors to actively support and use Tribal Employment Rights (TERO) programs. \u201cThey know who the good workers are. And remember that every Tribe has an annual celebration where donations are very much appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n

James now makes his home in Lincoln, Nebraska in order to be near his children, grandchildren and other family. One of his sisters Meredith DeCora who also lives there recently retired from 43 years with the railroad.\u00a0 In her youth she was Miss South Dakota, another success story. \u00a0Jim still sings in the choir based on his experience as a tribal college history instructor, and book about the Santee Sioux is in the back of his mind. Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The post Jim James \u2013 Santee construction giant<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Native Americans are often encouraged to seek and heed the advice of elders, a hallmark of respect in our culture. Henry James, \u201caka Jim\u201d has done that.\u00a0 As a young man, he took his grandmother\u2019s advice seriously, \u201cIf you cannot feed your family, you are not free,\u201d she often reminded. <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> April 2, 2021<\/p>\n

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