REVOLVING DOLLARS. “A dollar spent here turns over in our community, creating a more sustainable economic environment for us all.” Dylan Olson (right) works with assistant store manager Jim Goodreau, Jr. Photo by Tom Urbanski

As a new gas station and convenience store rose from the ground of the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota last year, many people drove by each day. Some felt proud to see a new tribally owned business; some probably didn’t notice it at all. But Dylan Olson recognized an opportunity.

Olson was a business student at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC, Cloquet, MN) and struggling financially. On his way to school each day Olson looked at the construction progress and thought about applying for the manager’s position. At first he hesitated, not knowing if he was qualified. Finally he applied, got an interview, and was hired in summer 2004.

“When I was being interviewed, I asked all kinds of questions based on what I had learned in my business program. I found I was giving advice to the interviewers about how to operate the business—things they had not thought about,” Olson said. “At that point I knew I was qualified for the job!”

The “Nagaachiwanong Aadeweewigaamig” (Fond du Lac Store in Ojibwe) where Olson works is the newest of the 13 businesses on the Fond du Lac Reservation (FDL). Olson manages 14 full- and part-time employees at the 6,000 square-foot facility.

Olson feels the business is important to the community. “We have loyal customers, and that makes the business self-sustaining. A dollar spent here turns over in our community, creating a more sustainable economic environment for us all on the reservation.”

Statistics confirm that the tribal businesses are improving the community. The Fond du Lac Reservation has a 12-13% unemployment rate. In the 1990s unemployment rate of American Indians on Fond du Lac Reservation was estimated to be between 30-40%. Those numbers were cut in half with the recent prosperity, which is driven by gaming.

According to 1990 and 2000 census numbers, the number of American Indians living on the Fond du Lac reservation has increased by about 35% (1,106 to 1,492). The number of non-Indians living on the reservation has increased by more than 15% (from 3,229 in 1990 to 3,728 in 2000).

This population increase can be attributed to the increase in employment opportunities, retirees returning home, and improved healthcare, human services, and schools.

As the tribal government slowly begins to diversify the reservation economy from gaming into other businesses, tribal officials expect that the unemployment rate will continue to decline. Currently the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Indians is the largest employer in Carlton County with 1,950 employees. In addition to its casinos on the reservation and in Duluth, the tribe owns a construction company, hotel, and golf course. Individual tribal members own many businesses both on and off the reservation.

Like most students, Olson arrived at his career decision after trying other paths. Initially he studied law enforcement, but when he took a business course, Olson instantly connected with his American Indian instructor and changed his major to business/finance (with an emphasis in small business/entrepreneurship).

Olson took many more credits than he needed for graduation. “There was a core group of instructors that I really liked, and I kept signing up for their courses. I loved courses that had to do with culture and interpersonal skill development.”

As part of the business course requirements, Olson developed a business plan for a small business in auto detailing. “It looked like a lot of work, but when I finished my business plan in the ‘Introduction to Business’ course, it all made sense. It was feasible, and I realized it could be done.”

He has used his tribal college courses often on the job. “That knowledge really comes in handy today. I deal with all types of people everyday, and I have to be able to work well with them. I have had to learn to communicate with people in many different ways.”

The biggest obstacle Olson faced while a student was paying for college. He worked full time at various jobs through college, including as an assistant manager at a local convenience store.

“My final spring semester 2004 was really tough. I had used all my loan money and had nothing left. I was determined to complete school that spring!” Olson says. “I was working full time and taking 22 credits so I could graduate in May. I competed with my team in the national American Indian Business Leaders’ (AIBL) Conference where we won the AIBL Chapter of the Year award.”

“In addition to all that, I bought an engagement ring, became engaged, and the transmission went out on my car! I was really broke!”

Although difficult at the time, he found that his experience at the AIBL competition helped prepare him for his future. “After competing in front of lots of people for the National AIBL Chapter of the Year and winning, I was not afraid to interview before a panel for the manager’s position. In my new position I am often required to present formal requests to the tribal council. I am confident because I learned in my AIBL experience to always be well prepared.”

Olson grew up on the Fond du Lac Reservation, and he was always encouraged to complete his education. His grandmother worked in Indian education for 33 years, and his mother was the principal at the Fond du Lac Elementary School. His junior high school football coach, Larry Anderson, encouraged him to attend the tribal college. Anderson later became the vice president at the college.

Olson attributes his success in school to his ability to create personal relationships and connections with students and faculty in and out of the classroom. As Olson describes his learning style, “It was only when I couldn’t make a connection to the teacher that I really had to read the textbook for meaning.”

What’s next for Olson? He recalls his interest in auto detailing — the business plan that got him started down this path to business management. Olson may develop that business someday, but right now he is enjoying being a manager.

He also hopes to see two more gas stations on the Fond du Lac Reservation. He believes this expansion will increase employment for tribal members and sustainability for the reservation as a whole. Olson also feels the gas station expansion will advance his personal management opportunities.

Later he hopes to return to FDLTCC to receive a bachelor’s degree in Small Business-Entrepreneurship. The tribal college is developing a four-year degree program entitled, “Gidakiimanaan: An Interdisciplinary Degree in Sustainability.” This degree will have four emphasis areas: 1) small business-entrepreneurship; 2) environmental science; 3) clean energy; and 4) policy, planning, and law in American Indian communities.

This program has been designed to appeal to many two-year graduates from FDLTCC, including Olson. As Olson puts it, “There is no other college that would meet my needs, where I would have the personal relationships, or where I would enjoy getting up and going to school each day.”

Jean E. Ness, Ed.D., is the project director of the Title III Project at FDLTCC. She has worked extensively in the field of transition and retention of American Indian high school and college students for over 10 years.