Brig. Gen. John R. McMahon, division commander for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division, addresses the Oct. 23 general assembly at the 65th annual convention and trade show for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). According to a message from NCAI president Joe A. Garcia, the NCAI has a long history of protecting tribal sovereignty and improving the well-being of native people. McMahon addressed and confirmed the Corps’ commitment to these ideals during his speech to the general assembly. (USACE photo by Daniel J. Calderón)

McMahon spoke on several topics including the Corps’ tribal relations program, progress the Corps has made in the area and how the Corps can benefit American Indian nations within the region.

“The Corps of Engineers has a well-established tribal policy and principles founded on mutual trust and respect,” he said to members of the assembled American Indian nations. “Among these are recognition of tribal sovereignty, promoting self-reliance and capacity building and protection and management of cultural and natural resources.”

McMahon cited several examples of progress between American Indian nations and the Corps of Engineers. Among them was the Pueblo of Santa Ana which involve two riparian and aquatic habitat restoration projects. One of the projects involve several tribes and the Corps.

“We have begun a $7 million examination of (the environment) and flood risk along 20 miles of the Rio Grande in Northern New Mexico,” he said. “The project is located on the lands of three tribes – the OhKay Owingeh, the Santa Clara and the San Ildefonso Pueblos.”

As South Pacific Division commander, McMahon’s area of responsibility covers 10 states along the Pacific Ocean, the Southwest and parts of America’s heartland. During his speech, McMahon talked about the successful projects involving tribal and Corps partnerships of direct benefit to American Indian tribes.

One was the Va Shly’ay Akimel project. The project is designed to improve the overall ecological health of the Va Shly’ay Akimel Salt River in Maricopa County, Ariz. and re-establish a more stable condition in and around the river. Urban development and water diversion to support agriculture and livestock are among the reasons cited for the river’s degradation. Currently, phase one of the project is in design.

Another project is the Navajo Nation Watershed Management Plan. The mapping will provide the Nation with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-level maps of its floodplains. The results from the mapping project can help the Nation as it develops its critical infrastructure.

“One of the greatest needs tribes have identified for us is that they want to know where the floodplain that affects their population and developments lies,” McMahon said. “The Corps is making progress in this area working with the Navajo Nation that may show promise for other tribes.”

Once the mapping is completed, the Nation will have a more comprehensive map of floodplains. With it, leaders can bring in builders that have been reluctant to come in and build.

In addition to overall benefits to American Indian nations, McMahon also spoke about opportunities with the Corps for small businesses and for individual job seekers.

“This is also a time of expanded opportunities for Native American-owned small businesses,” he said. “The Corps has the largest workload in history. We depend on the private sector. If you are, or know of Native American-owned small businesses, let me assure you great opportunities to work (with) the Corps abound.”

On its workforce, McMahon said the “Baby Boom” generation is nearing retirement in great numbers, but the Corps is still in need of talented engineers and employees to maintain its professional workforce. He said the Corps is actively recruiting at colleges and throughout professional circles. McMahon stressed the Corps is not only seeking engineers.

“The Corps includes people from all walks of life,” he said. “We have tribal liaisons, park rangers, archeologists, biologists, budget analysts and several other career opportunities. There are also a number of programs to help our veterans and wounded warriors coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan find jobs in the federal work force. So, spread the word.”

McMahon closed his speech reminding the assembled members of the Corps’ commitment to tribal rule.

“We honor you as sovereign nations and we will honor our trust responsibility to you,” he said. “Consultation is your right and our responsibility. We realize that you, as keepers of the land and water for millennia, may have better answers than ours and we would like to work in collaboration with you for a better future.”

During the meeting, speakers, at various times, asked American Indians who had been members of the military to stand and be recognized. At the end of the general assembly, the members paused for a ceremonial chant to recognize veterans, including McMahon, who were among the assembly.