The Exploitation of Tribal Communities by Non-Native Consulting Firms
Why Indian Country deserves better — and what to watch for
A Pattern That’s Hard to Ignore
There’s an unsettling trend growing in Indian Country: non-Native consulting firms increasingly offering services to tribal governments and programs — often with very little to no cultural understanding, community experience, or Indigenous leadership.
At face value, these firms promise access to funding, program development, and “expert guidance.” But dig deeper, and a different story emerges — one where tribal communities are overcharged, underserved, and left dependent on outside help.
When Tribal Dollars Become Someone Else’s Profit
I’ve seen this firsthand.
Early in my consulting journey, I was recruited by a national consulting firm. I came in with years of federal and tribal experience, excited to use my knowledge to support tribal programs. At first, I was grateful for the opportunity. But over time, I began to see the cracks in the system — and then the exploitation.
Eventually, I learned what they were charging tribal clients for my work — and I was stunned. While I was being paid a low hourly rate in congruence with my experience, they were billing the client over four times that amount for standard work, and over six times that amount for rush projects.
They understood that tribal clients often operate with tight deadlines and limited resources, yet they profited from the pressure rather than providing compassionate, flexible support. The client valued me deeply and trusted my work because I understood their needs and culture. I was their organization's face, yet my client and I were taken advantage of.
What should have been a respectful partnership grounded in cultural understanding instead became a one-sided transaction that exploited the community and me as an Indigenous professional.
That’s not partnership. That’s extraction.
Tokenism Wrapped in a Consulting Contract
What’s worse is how often these firms use Native professionals like me to give their company credibility — without ever truly honoring or compensating our lived expertise. They market us to tribes as “proof” they understand Indian Country, while keeping us at arm’s length internally and financially.
This kind of tokenism is dangerous. It tricks tribal clients into believing they’re being served by someone who “gets it,” while the real decisions, profits, and strategies remain in the hands of people with no ties to our communities.
It’s Not Just Unethical — It Undermines Sovereignty
Tribal sovereignty is more than a legal status — it’s the ability to self-determine, to direct our own futures, and to build systems rooted in our culture, values, and strengths.
When outside firms profit disproportionately from tribal contracts, with no long-term investment in our well-being, they’re not helping us — they’re draining us. They’re extracting value without returning it.
Tribal dollars should be used to uplift our own people, strengthen our own institutions, and build Indigenous capacity from within.
We Deserve Native-Led Solutions
There is no shortage of talent in Indian Country. Native consultants, grant writers, program designers, and strategists exist — and they bring more than technical expertise. They bring cultural context, historical understanding, and community connection.
When we choose Native-led consulting, we’re not just buying a service — we’re investing in sovereignty. We’re building systems where our knowledge, our experience, and our economic power stay rooted in our communities.
What Can Tribal Clients Do?
Four Questions to Ask Before Signing a Consulting Contract
When choosing a consulting partner, tribal leaders and program directors should ask clear, direct questions:
Does this consultant have experience working in tribal communities — not just with them?
Are they Indigenous or do they meaningfully include Indigenous professionals in leadership roles?
How are they investing back into tribal economies or Indigenous capacity-building?
Are their rates transparent, reasonable, and reflective of the value they truly offer?
It’s okay — and necessary — to ask for references from other tribal clients, to review deliverables from past projects, and to ensure that any consultant understands and respects tribal sovereignty, values, and timelines. Don’t be afraid to walk away from firms that see tribes as just another funding stream.
