The Yavapais in the Verde Valley do not have a large enough land base for self sufficiency from agriculture. Other approaches must be tried. Attempts at cultivating tourism are being made. Bingo halls and gambling casinos have been built on reservations to create economic opportunities. Despite providing jobs, unemployment and underemployment remains high on Yavapai reservations.
Education is one of the keys for self sufficiency.
The Yavapai have one of the highest percentages of students attending college of reservation Indians in Arizona.