Red Lake Chairman Floyd “Buck” Jourdain (below) prays every morning before he tackles his daily leadership work. The extra strength and guidance is a valuable commodity to an elected leader whose aspirations and skills are tested—and graded—every day. Tribal leaders are tested during tragedy and storm, as well as the grueling tests that come in times of prosperity.

During a recent meeting, he told me the fanfare and accolades when he was first elected lasted one day. He grinned, saying it started fading the moment he took office. A few months later, in March 2005, one of the darkest days at Red Lake occurred with a school shooting.  Sympathetic and sometimes prying eyes focused on Red Lake.

Although tribes are the longest surviving governments, they remain one of the most unknown authorities in this country. Combining this with unique traditions and beliefs is likely to lead to differences and conflict. Such was the case when Chairman Jourdain guarded Red Lake’s politically sovereign lines in order to protect another sacred sovereign: a sovereignty of heart where a community relies on inherent traditions to handle grief and healing. The press was kept at bay. Not a popular move among the media, but as a leader he was not afraid of the test.

The Foundation’s Native nations goal commits to supporting tribal self-determination. The strategy to achieve our goal respects tribes as distinct political governments with inherent rights of self-rule. That is why you find us working through the guidance of the elected leaders. Boil it down, and it means that we don’t get to pick who we work with at each of the tribes. That decision is made for us, not by us, and it is made every time the citizens of each Native nation elect their leaders. We honor their decisions.

Tribal self-determination is about answers that come from within. We are just a partner trying to support tribes in finding their own long-term solutions to address their tough challenges. It’s not an easy goal for the Foundation, and it is a tougher task still for the tribal leaders. Chairman Jourdain recognizes the tasks ahead. He embraces them all, including the first one when he pauses to start his day by acknowledging a sacred bond with the people, the land and with his Creator.

Inside his office is a framed jersey and across the room is an autographed sneaker. Basketball legend Magic Johnson sent both gifts as gestures of hope and compassion following the 2005 tragedy. As we were leaving, the Chairman and Sam Strong (a member of the Foundation’s inaugural class of Native Nation Rebuilders from Red Lake) talked about their upcoming basketball game on a local “rez” league. It made the Chairman sound like an ordinary guy, and to me that made him amazing: an ordinary guy who gets tested every day to do extraordinary things.