Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE)

On June 4, 2009 Walter Lamar and Patrick Shining Elk conducted a session on Methamphetamine in Indian Country at the Annual SAIGE Conference held in San Diego, CA. Walter talked about the history of meth and Mexican cartel case studies that relate to Indian Country.

Patrick, a Shoshone from the Wind River Reservation, is a veteran Hollywood movie actor and stuntman. He offered candid insights into his personal struggles with meth. His presentation was a powerful message that needs to get out to our youth, Indian Country-wide. His story riveted folks to their seats.

Both Walter and Patrick appreciate being invited to speak to American Indian Government Employees.

Click the title to visit the SAIGE website.

Tulsa Anti-Meth Training

Pictured is Lamar Associates' Vice-President Steven Juneau with James L. Capra, Dallas Division DEA Special Agent in Charge.

On the morning of May 18, 2009 SAC Capra welcomed 70 plus participants of the Lamar Associates Anti-meth training convened in Tulsa, OK.

Three Lamar Associates instructors, including VP Juneau, presented the attendees two days of training that offered information on the methamphetamine issue in Indian Country and affirmative steps to collaborate through problem solving and community policing. Materials included an agenda; Indian Country Anti-meth CD-ROM containing dozens of documents, Power Point presentations and templates; DOJ-COPS publications - Combating Methamphetamine Laboratories and Abuse; Drug Sales In Open Air Markets; Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs; and DOJ-COPS CD-ROMs of Tribal Resources and Drug and Crime.

One participant wrote, "Great Training!! Will definitely be able to help us develop a coalition at our tribe."

Native America Calling

Walter appeared on Native American Calling to discuss Lamar Associates July 22-23, 2009 Prescription Drug abuse/diversion training. The following is from NAC's website description of the show, you can use the "listen" link to hear the program:

"Thursday, May 28, 2009 – Prescription Drug Abuse: (listen)
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a shocking 40 percent of teens and an almost equal number of their parents think abusing prescription painkillers is safer than abusing “street” drugs, causing widespread problems across America and Native America is not immune. Reports of people stealing and selling prescription drugs are common. People staking out hospital parking lots and soliciting people to sell their prescription medications are not uncommon. What can tribal communities do to combat prescription drug theft and abuse? Guests are Walter Lamar (Blackfeet/Wichita) CEO & President/Lamar Associates and John Burke, President of the National Drug Diversion Investigators Association."

Click on the title and you will be directed to the NAC website.

Earl Devaney - Chairman

In February, 2009 Earl Devaney was named the chairman of the new Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. Mr. Devaney will work with Vice President Joe Biden to monitor for wasteful spending and issue periodic reports to the public.

Mr. Devaney is known for his tenacious pursuit of the infamous Jack Abramoff.

Click the title to read more.

Walter at the White House - March 16th

On March 16th, Walter Lamar attended a White House announcement by President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. They announced plans to unlock credit for small businesses. Walter urged the President to ensure that the Buy Indian Act is used to the fullest extent possible to assist Native Business to completely engage in the Stimulus process and to further ensure unemployment in Indian Country is positively impacted.

Click on the title to see the President's remarks.

Walter Lamar White House Visit - February 6th

Walter was invited to the White House to witness President Obama sign the Executive Order creating the Economic Recovery Advisory Board. The signing was held on February 6, 2009 and before attending the signing the group of invitees had a chance to interact with top White House staff who fielded questions regarding the Stimulus Package. There is a strong focus on engaging small business in the economic recovery plan.

The atmosphere at the White House follows with the President's promise to ensure a more open and accessible administration. Walter had a chance to shake the President's hand and said, "the job loss numbers are critical to the country's overall economic stability; they are less important to Indian Country as unemployment rates have historically hovered upwards of 60 to 80 percent. Can't lose jobs we didn't have in the first place. Native owned business is ready to help bring employment to Indian Country." The President agreed and replied, "we must work doubly hard to create employment in Indian Country. Walter gave him a "Buy Native" button.

Click on the title to veiw the CSPAN video of the event. Near the end of the video, when the President is greeting the visitors, you will see Walter talking to him.

Dr. Earl R. Smith II visits Lamar Asssociates

Dr. Smith a proven entrepreneur, seasoned senior executive, political and social theorist, published author and speaker took time to stop by our office on Capitol Hill. A veteran of Wall Street, he founded two non-profit and six for-profit companies. He and Walter enjoyed a good long visit, which included discussion regarding the valuable and important governance and entrepreneurship training Dr. Smith can bring to Indian Country.

Dr. Smith's experience includes designing and organizing companies, business/technology management, team building, strategic alliances, negotiating complex arrangements, governance & compliance, resourcing & financing, mergers & acquisitions, management/team/board assessment, coaching and strategic and tactical planning and implementation.

While in Scotland, Strathclyde University Press published his scholarly papers. Since returning to the States, he has authored a regular column for a newsletter and a series of columns focusing on management issues, turnaround management, governance, advisory and coaching.

Here he presents Walter with his latest book Amazing Pace. The book's keynote centers with the creation of a board of advisors dedicated to driving the top line and resourcing/preparing the company to capitalize on the new "turbo-charged" business dynamic. The book also delves into the all important business capture and proposal processes of companies large and small.

To learn more about Dr. Smith please click on the title.

Head West Young Woman!

An emotional day. After nearly four years Cyndi, our Chief Operations Officer, spends her last day working in her DC office. Lucky for us she is not leaving the company only the DC office, but it was a difficult day nonetheless. Cyndi and her husband Keith are relocating to beautiful Oregon.

Lamar Associates has employees and contractors all over the United States and with Cyndi being our centerpoint - we communicate by telephone and computer and as we do, we picture Cyndi in our mind's eye setting at her desk on the second floor of the grand old place just behind the Capitol, pounding the letters off the keyboard with her two finger style (she has literally beat the letters off every keyboard she's had). Her chair rolls over the wooden floor as she works at a blinding pace; not allowing the petty distractions of the street noise, creaks of the old house, or some passing street person screaming in a psychotic rage, distract her from the task at hand. In our mind's eye we see her in the morning sun out sweeping the porch and sidewalk while checking the plants, greeting the FedEx man, and a pot of coffee brews.

We know the investigations we worked to locate American Indians for the Office of Special Trustee who were owed money had such joyous and happy outcomes that her tears are forever there, etched into the fabric of the place we call our office. We reconnected families and were even able to tell those adopted at birth who they were.

She has been known, while sitting at her desk, to sing along with Johnny Cash's Burning Ring of Fire - ouch!! She has been the professional face people first see when visiting our place on the Hill. She prepared the fare for our receptions and made sure everyone was tended to and made to feel welcome.

One only take time to read her Blog entry (see Nov posts) the day after the national election to know what DC has meant to her and to learn that her presence left ripples even in the most powerful city in the world.

We will adjust to the change and wish Keith and Cyndi the best in their new surroundings - good things for good people.