When Native nations make their own decisions they consistently outperform external decision-makers. Today, we’re answering the question: How can Indigenous governments exercise their sovereignty for better outcomes across the board?
Research from the Project on Indigenous Governance and Development shows that when Native nations exercise their sovereignty it leads to better outcomes across the board —from education to natural resource management. Yet, the path to sovereignty and self-governance isn’t always straightforward.
Our work aims to arm Indigenous people themselves with the tools to build thriving self-governments and strengthen their economic, social, and cultural fabrics. From events to research, we encourage you to explore the below to learn more about how we’re fostering Indigenous governance and nation-building.
Media Release
The Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development’s Honoring Nations program is thrilled to announce the selection of six outstanding tribal programs advancing to the site visit round for the 2025 awards.
Feature
Chief Sophie Pierre, a respected leader of the Ktunaxa Nation, has been named the Inaugural Senior Fellow in Indigenous Governance and Development at Harvard Kennedy School, starting in Spring 2025. Known for her groundbreaking work in governance, economic development, and cultural preservation, Pierre’s career has spanned over three decades, with significant contributions to Indigenous rights and self-determination. Her appointment to Harvard is a testament to her decades of leadership, resilience, and dedication to empowering future generations of Indigenous leaders.
Media Release
The Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development’s Honoring Nations program is pleased to announce the selection of 18 semifinalists for the prestigious 2025 Honoring Nations awards.
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
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.
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.
Media Release
Recent gifts will significantly expand the impact of the Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development.
Feature
Harvard Kennedy School Project on Indigenous Governance and Development gets $15 million in gifts to expand research, sharing innovation, best practices.
Feature
Every year, “Native Americans in the 21st Century: Nation Building I” brings students from around the world to learn where and when tribal sovereignty leads to improved economic, social, and cultural outcomes for Indigenous nations.
Feature
During a discussion at Harvard Kennedy School, activists featured in the film “There’s Something in the Water” warn that environmental racism continues to stymie efforts for clean water in Black and Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia.
Feature
Testifying before the Commission on Native Children, Kalt urged the federal government to continue to support tribal self-governance, and maintain supportive federal funding.
Additional Resource
“The onset of tribal self-determination through self-government in the late 1980s ushered in the only policy that has ever worked to improve economic and social conditions in Indian Country.”
Media Release
A team of researchers from the Harvard Kennedy School today released a research report documenting the costs to the Wabanaki Nations in Maine and to Maine’s non-tribal citizens of the state’s being screened off from federal policies of Indian self-determination and self-governance.
Policy Brief
The subjugation of the Wabanaki Nation’s self-governing capacities is blocking economic development to the detriment of both tribal and nontribal citizens, alike.