Five Tips For Ethical Practices When Doing Business In Indian Country

Tara S. Kaushik is an attorney in Holland & Knight's San Francisco office

What is doing the "right thing" for ethical business practices in Indian Country? It is a challenge for a business to determine the best practices to follow when operating a business on tribal lands, or for a Native American tribe to consider investing in a project for economic development. So it is crucial to establish and follow ethical business practices in Indian Country. An ethical protocol will reduce the risk that the proposed project or business will fail.

To that end, it is important for businesses serving Native American communities to do their due diligence beforehand, whether it's for a solar project, housing project, or a new business line. It is equally important that the leadership of the Native American communities conduct due diligence on the project. The goal is for tribal leadership and the businesses serving tribal communities to know the potential costs, benefits and