This paper is a product of NCAI's 2002 Midyear Session in Bismarck, ND, a session focused on the theme, "Creating our Own Roads to Success: Building Tribal Economic Prosperity". Over the course of the session, NCAI's committees developed short "white paper" discussion pieces laying out substantive, proactive recommendations for steps within their committee areas that could contribute to comprehensive economic development. These recommendations have been further developed and refined, and ultimately drawn together to form a comprehensive tribal leaders policy statement on economic development. While by no means an exhaustive list of changes needed for successful economic development, these recommendations can serve to help move us forward toward healthy, sustainable reservation economies.