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Idaho Civil Rights Program
American Indian Emphasis Program (AIEP)
Hello to you all. I welcome you to the NRCS - Idaho
American Indian
Special Emphasis Program web page. I would like to tell you a little about
myself and some of my goals and accomplishments for the
American Indian Special
Emphasis Program.
I am a Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Member. I was born and raised on the Fort
Hall Indian Reservation located in Eastern Idaho. My entire immediate
family resides within 15 miles of Fort Hall. My ancestral background
includes American Indian, Hispanic, and many European ancestries, including
British Royalty!
I started my NRCS career in 1988 in the American Falls, Idaho Field Office.
The Fort Hall Office was open part time from 1993 until 2000 when it was decided
to open it full time. My thanks to Roy Fowler, DC in American
Fall/Aberdeen, who staffed the office during those years. He opened the
door to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Tribal Members to NRCS assistance and
programs. Many thanks also goes to Rich Sims, Idaho NRCS State
Conservationist for opening the full time office in Fort Hall.
I was very fortunate to be in a position to "come home" to Fort Hall when I was
picked to fill the position. Although I have never lived far from Fort
Hall, it was nice to see my old friends and be able to help with the natural
resource concerns here.
I worked with the former AISEPM to get NRCS - Idaho American Indian Heritage
Month poster up and running. This poster highlights a different American
Indian Tribe in Idaho each year. We are currently in our fourth year of
the poster. The first year we highlighted the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes,
then moved on to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and last year the Kootenai Tribe was
highlighted. This year we are working with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe and
the Nez Perce Tribe will be next year. The artwork is hand drawn by a
member of the Tribe we are featuring. This poster is a collaboration of
the USDA Forest Service, Rural Development, Farm Service Agency and NRCS.
If you have not done so, I invite you to take a few minutes and read about the
artwork and the artists who completed the artwork.
I would like to invite you all to attend some of the celebrations that Tribes
have open to the public. When you are there, talk to the Tribal Members,
most of them will be happy to explain what is happening and give you some
insight on the Tribe. There are still many misconceptions about Tribes and
Tribal People, the only way to break those down and get the truth is to ask.
As with any relationship, communication is the key to good relationships.
I thank you for taking the time to visit the website and read this letter.
If you would like any more information on the American Indian Special Emphasis
Program or just to talk about American Indian Tribes and people, please feel
free to contact me. I hope you have a great day!
Tsaangu' dudugaani (good things to you)
Kurt Cates
Idaho's American Indian Emphasis Program applies sound program practices in
administering the program. These practices include:
- Assess the problems, needs, and opportunities critical to success;
- Identify available resources;
- Establish long range and annual goals consistent with the objectives of
the program;
- Develop and implement an annual plan of operations that identifies
specific activities to be initiated and/or completed during the fiscal year;
- Monitor and evaluate progress in completing activities and meeting
established objectives;
- Increase the total number of American Indians in all Professional,
Administrative, Technical, Clerical, and other categories, series, and all
grade levels;
- Eliminate concentrations of American Indians in single interval series
to diversify and create advancement opportunities;
- Encourage the participation of American Indians in all NRCS-sponsored
programs and activities;
- Provide a network of professional support for American Indians;
- Ensure that the American Indians community receives equal treatment in
all aspects of employment; and
- Provide opportunities to participate in training and training programs
such as career enhancement, graduate studies, and others.
Related Links
Idaho Program Contact
Kurt Cates,
American Indian
Emphasis Program Manager, (208) 478-3778
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