Collaboration at the Speed of Trust: Keystone’s Tribal and Indigenous Partnerships

In the mid-1970s, on a ski weekend in the Colorado Rockies, a chance meeting changed the course of Keystone Policy Center’s history. Ed Gabriel, then head of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), met Bob Craig, founder of the Keystone Center. That conversation launched a relationship that would become one of Keystone’s most meaningful and enduring areas of work—partnering with tribal nations to advance sovereignty, foster collaboration, and build lasting solutions.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re proud to reflect on that legacy and share how our tribal engagement work continues to shape the future.

Origins Rooted in Sovereignty

The 1970s were a time of transformation for tribal nations. The Indian Self-Determination Act had recently passed, and Native leaders across the country were asserting their sovereignty—not just politically or culturally, but economically. CERT was born from that spirit of self-determination, uniting 22 tribes to reclaim control of their mineral and energy resources.

Keystone’s model of non-adversarial dialogue and consensus-building resonated deeply with tribal leaders seeking new ways to engage with governments and industry.

“Bob Craig and Keystone really taught me about non-adversarial conflict resolution—how to bring people together and find consensus, how to develop trust across the table,” Gabriel recounted.

That foundation of trust helped tribes chart a new path forward, together.

Building from the Ground Up

From those early conversations emerged the Indian Business Roundtable, a space for tribal leaders and energy executives to learn from one another and explore new partnerships. What began as a meeting around mineral rights and water access soon expanded to broader discussions of policy, governance, and Indigenous self-determination.

John Echohawk, founder of the Native American Rights Fund and a key figure in this work, recalled how transformative the experience was.

“We put together the Indian Business Roundtable, sponsored by Keystone, to bring together the tribal leaders and the energy business leaders to get to know each other. We had a series of meetings that were very productive and informative for both sides—learning how to work together on these energy deals. It also helped the Keystone Policy Center realize that tribes were getting organized, exercising their sovereignty, and that they needed to be involved in those discussions.”

Keystone didn’t just facilitate those conversations—it evolved because of them. CERT’s pioneering leadership directly inspired Keystone’s broader energy program, a cornerstone of the organization’s work for decades. As Gabriel put it, “The Indian tribes gave a gift to Keystone.” That gift continues to ripple outward.

Embedding Engagement Across Our Work

Today, Keystone’s Center for Tribal and Indigenous Engagement carries this legacy forward. Led by Ernest House, Jr.—whose father was a founding member of CERT—the center is not a standalone initiative. It’s woven throughout all of Keystone’s work, from natural resources and education to governance, agriculture and community development.

This approach ensures that tribal perspectives are centered not only in tribal-specific work, but across every policy area we touch. Whether supporting local governments in building more authentic consultation processes, helping states engage respectfully with tribal nations on environmental and wildlife issues, or partnering on culturally responsive education initiatives, our work is grounded in trust, respect, and long-term relationships.

Each project reflects a core principle: tribal sovereignty isn’t a policy footnote. It is a fundamental lens through which we approach every decision, every partnership, every step forward.

A Vision for the Next 50 Years

Keystone’s role is not to lead for tribal nations, but to walk beside them—to support their vision, amplify their voices, and build the relationships that turn intention into action.

“Bob used to say we have to dare to fail. If we’re not out there trying to put heads together, we won’t know what’s possible,” said Gabriel.

That daring spirit remains at the heart of our mission.

As we look to the next 50 years, Keystone will continue to elevate Indigenous leadership, honor sovereignty, and cultivate the trust necessary for meaningful change. Our past is rooted in partnerships built on respect. Our future will be shaped by them.

Listen to our 50th anniversary podcast series examining this work below, including a powerful conversation between Ernest House, Jr. and Ed Gabriel reflecting on the beginnings of Keystone Policy Center’s work with tribal nations.