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Network FAQs

Background Questions

Who is included in the Network? Are all members of the Network American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian?

Join the Network as a practitioner member or as a partner member. Network membership is based on knowledge and experience. Network members are American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and individuals of other backgrounds. The "Joining the Network" section includes information about joining.

What is the status of the Network?

The Network was established in the summer of 2003, with 52 initial members. The Network continues to grow both in membership and use. Network development is ongoing.

How does the Network operate? How do I get a referral from the Network?

Simply call the U.S. Institute's Network Administrator, Tina Gargus at 520.901.8536, email: nativenetwork@ecr.gov for a referral. The U.S. Institute will work with the referral requestor(s) to identify the types of skills and knowledge sought in a practitioner, or team of practitioners, and use that information to identify a group of Network members for the parties to consider. The search and referral can be supplemented from the Roster of ECR Practitioners, also operated by the U.S. Institute, as meets the needs of the parties in locating appropriate practitioners. The U.S. Institute can also provide assistance and guidance on selecting an appropriate neutral. Parties to an issue or dispute chose the dispute resolver.

Is there a fee to use or be included in the Network?

No. There is not a fee to use or be included in the Network.

How was the Network developed?

The U.S. Institute initiated the Network in response to input from a wide audience about the need for a mechanism to identify American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian dispute resolution practitioners who can assist in environmental conflict resolution processes involving Native governments, communities, and issues. The initial development of the Network was underwritten in part by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Why does the Network focus just on environmental, natural resources, and public/trust lands issues and not other types of disputes? Will the focus be broader in the future?

Since the U.S. Institute is providing the staff time and resources to establish and operate the Network, current efforts must be consistent with the U.S. Institute's mission to address environmental, natural resources, and public lands issues where a federal agency or interest is involved. Contingent on funding and future partnerships, it is the U.S. Institute's hope that the focus of the Network be broader in the future. To that end, the U.S. Institute has developed a two-phased approach to establishing the Network. Phase one, in which the U.S. Institute is the primary lead, will focus on identifying American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other dispute resolution practitioners who work with tribes and federal agencies in the resolution of disputes pertaining to environmental, natural resources, or public/trust lands issues. Phase two of the Network could involve the identification of dispute resolution practitioners who resolve conflicts between and/or within tribes and may extend beyond environmental, natural resources, and public/trust lands issues. The initiation of phase two is contingent upon: sufficient development of phase one, an expressed need and interest by tribes and Native American organizations, and the identification and commitment of such entities to take the lead in phase two.

Are cultural property and sacred sites considered in the scope of environmental issues for the Network?

Yes. Historic and cultural property, as well as sacred sites, to the extent they involve the environmental, natural resources, or public lands are relevant to the Network. Experience in these issues can be used to match the experience for joining the Network.

Questions About Becoming a Network Member

How can I join the Network?

Please refer to the "Joining the Network" section for information about what to provide.

What is the difference between the knowledge and experience of a practitioner member and a partner member?

Joining the Network as a partner member:
Partner members have experience with environmental issues or dispute resolution and experience with American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians. Partner members have opportunities for networking, partnering, information sharing and learning exchanges. Individuals whose experience matches elements #1 OR #2 AND element #3 are partner members.

Why are members divided into categories?

The Network is designed to encourage teaming and partnerships between Network members, and other practitioners; the categories allow members to easily identify each other for teaming on projects and "mentoring/cross-learning" in general.

Who can answer my questions about providing materials? What is the deadline for sending in my materials?

The Native Network Administrator is here to answer your questions and send your materials (hardcopy or electronic) to:

Tina Gargus
U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution
130 South Scott Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520-901-8536
Email: nativenetwork@ecr.gov,

You can send in your materials at any time; there is no deadline.

What is the review and selection process for joining the Network?

The Native Newtork administrator will review all of the information you send in to determine if the knowledge/experience you describe matches the elements for joining, explained in "Joining Network." The administrator will also review information to ensure that the verification letter is included and may also contact you if any clarification is needed.

How will the information I provide be used?

The materials you provide will be given to those asking for referrals from the Network when information in our materials matches the needs of those looking for assistance. Therefore, it is important to keep the users in mind when creating your materials.

Does joining the Network guarantee that I will receive conflict resolution work?

No. Being a Network member does not guarantee work. Parties/process participants are free to choose a practitioner to assist them from any source.

What are the responsibilities of Network members and conditions after joining?

Members of the Network using traditional dispute resolution methods should be familiar with such methods and use them appropriately. Members using dispute resolution such as facilitation, mediation, and consensus-building are expected to be familiar with and follow the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators approved by the American Arbitration Association, the American Bar Association, and the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution (now the Association for Conflict Resolution). www.acrnet.org/pdfs/original_model_standards.pdf

Will the performance of a Network practitioner be evaluated?

The U.S. Institute has a system to evaluate assessment and environmental conflict resolution processes in which the U.S. Institute staff are directly involved. The performance of practitioners is not directly evaluated as part of this evaluation system and the performance of Network practitioners will also not be evaluated. The U.S. Institute gathers feedback from users of the Roster of ECR Practitioners and the Network. See www.ecr.gov/multiagency/program_eval.htm for information about this evaluation system.

I am currently a member of the Roster of ECR Practitioners operated by the U.S. Institute. May I also join the Network?

Yes. Any member of the Roster of ECR Practitioners whose experience matches the Network elements may join the Network and needs to provide the information set out in the section "Joining the Network" You may indicate your roster member status in the general description of experience in essential element number 2 (see "Joining the Network").

Do I need to be a member of the Roster of ECR Practitioners in order to join the Network?

No. Anyone whose experience matches the elements for joining the Network need only provide the information set out in the "Joining the Network." Network members who would like to become members of the Roster of ECR Practitioners must complete the online roster application. See www.ecr.gov and follow the "Referral Services" link.