Feature
From a fictional thriller to a leading report on Native children, the HKS Project on Indigenous Governance and Development shares recommendations for must-reads this summer.
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Summer reading recommendations from the Project on Indigenous Governance and Development feature compelling articles, books, and podcasts. From fiction to factual reports, this list was curated for students and lifelong learners interested in better understanding Indigenous culture and tribal sovereignty.
Angeline Boulley
This YA thriller is set in Sault Ste. Marie against a backdrop of limited choices for young Indigenous people – hockey or drugs. Quickly, and following the horrible murder of her friend, the novel’s Ojibwe hero Daunis is thrust into the dark underbelly of her hometown forcing her to face the violent impacts of colonization on her community. Half White and Ojibwe, she strikes a difficult balancing act code-switching throughout Ojibwe author Angeline Boulley’s first novel.
Angeline Boulley
Ojibwe author Angeline Boulley’s second book follows the curiosity of a character from the bestseller “Firekeeper’s Daughter.” In pursuit of a lazy summer, Perry must instead get a job and finds herself interning at a museum where she learns about stolen artifacts and the desecration of Indigenous graves. Themes of repatriation, repairing harms, and the urgency of missing Indigenous persons cases invite YA readers to gain awareness as they follow Perry’s journey of self-discovery.
Charles Wilkinson
In time for the 50th anniversary of the landmark Boldt Decision, Wilkinson unlocks a unique view into the players and actions behind the fight for civil rights for tribes in the Pacific Northwest and the lasting significance of the decision which set a new legal precedent for the relationship between tribes, the federal government, and the states.
Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children
Named after two advocates of Native children, in 2016 Congress established this Commission with the charge to conduct a study of the programs, funding, and supports of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from birth to the age of 24. This report is the most recent comprehensive study providing recommendations for improvements to support Native children better.
Gov. Bill Anoatubby
Being a part of a certain community, whether it be a neighborhood, an ethnicity, or otherwise, should not impact your health. Many communities are medically underserved creating unique challenges for their community members. Hear Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby discuss how his leadership shaped the healthcare transformation of Chickasaw Nation. You’ll also hear a diverse panel that includes healthcare providers, leaders, and policymakers as they discuss their experiences and the strategies to work towards a healthier America.
This event was recorded on Jan. 18, 2024, on the Harvard Medical School campus.
Episode 464, Eric Henson on The Rippling Impact of Effective Tribal Governance
Impact Boom Podcast
On Episode 464 of Impact Boom, Eric Henson of the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development discusses honoring First Nations people, communities, and stewardship in the United States and how tribal governance can help reimagine what’s possible when addressing systemic social issues.
Feature
This list, curated by the GETTING-Plurality Research Network at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, highlights a mix of foundational texts and new thinking on the timely issue of how AI will impact democracy, especially as we head into election season.
Feature
15 noteworthy recent releases handpicked by the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability (IARA) Project.
Feature
A collection of must-reads curated by Ash Center’s Tova Wang showcases new ideas and efforts to build a more inclusive democracy in the US.
Media Release
The Harvard Kennedy School’s Project on Indigenous Governance and Development is pleased to announce Chief Sophie Pierre as its inaugural Senior Fellow in Indigenous Governance and Development for Spring 2025.
Policy Brief
This policy brief analyzes the likely effects of newly Proposed Rules by the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. These Rules would (1) expand the governmental authority of federally recognized American Indian nations to design programs for the general welfare of their citizens, and (2) clarify the federal tax status of tribal government-owned enterprises. The study finds that adoption of the Proposed Rules would greatly strengthen the capacities of tribal governments, to the benefit of tribes and the United States as a whole.
Feature
Back-to-school recommended reads from the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development include books, articles, and podcasts that highlight Indigenous governance narratives.
Policy Brief
This policy brief analyzes the likely effects of newly Proposed Rules by the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. These Rules would (1) expand the governmental authority of federally recognized American Indian nations to design programs for the general welfare of their citizens, and (2) clarify the federal tax status of tribal government-owned enterprises. The study finds that adoption of the Proposed Rules would greatly strengthen the capacities of tribal governments, to the benefit of tribes and the United States as a whole.
Feature
Back-to-school recommended reads from the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development include books, articles, and podcasts that highlight Indigenous governance narratives.
Media Release
Nine tribal governance programs have been selected by the Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development’s Honoring Nations program as 2023 All-Stars from the family of 142 Honoring Nations awardees.
