before I entered the field to gain a better understanding of the population and region of study (Babbie, 1998; Sullivan, 2001). The Cherokee Nation's Natural Resources Department and the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce provided maps of the 14 county jurisdiction, historical information, demographic information, library references and local festival and events important to members of the Cherokee Nation. I entered the field for a period of one month in August 2005 where I administered the research instruments. Four employees of the Cherokee Nation's Natural Resources Department and an employee of the Strategy Department were key informants who were familiar with the population of study. They helped me access initial cases and offered insight into local etiquette and the historical context of Cherokee farming (Krannich, & Humphrey, 1986). Many individuals were recruited over the phone, at the Bell community Pow Wow, by other participants and at stomp dances. I asked participants if they were interested in participating in the research. I contacted approximately 55 individuals, of which 42 agreed to participate in the study. I contacted consenting participants to schedule an interview and complete a self-completion questionnaire at a place and time of convenience to the participant. Upon meeting with participants, I gave them a letter of informed consent. They were given an introduction to the purpose of the research, the consent process and instructions about how the meeting would progress, with a general reference to the length of the process. I gave participants the self-completion questionnaire which consisted of scales, indices and one or multiple check-box response format questions. I offered to administer this portion of the packet verbally if it made the participant more comfortable. One participant chose that the questionnaire be administered verbally. I reviewed the index