Indigenous Governance

Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development’s Megan Minoka Hill delivers land acknowledgment at 2022 Kennedy School diploma ceremony

Joel Chastain MC/MPA 2022 is taking lessons learned from the Chickasaw Nation and Harvard Kennedy School to promote tribal economic development.

Listening to and learning from people of color and Indigenous people is critical to tackling climate and racial injustice.

Patrick Lynch MC/MPA 2019 partnered with Indigenous filmmakers to tell the story of native sovereignty in Alaska.

Six exceptional tribal programs were selected by the Harvard Project’s Honoring Nations Program as finalists for the prestigious 2021 awards in American Indian governance. At the heart of Honoring Nations is the principle that tribes themselves hold the key to generating social, political, cultural, and economic prosperity and that self-governance plays a crucial role in building and sustaining strong, healthy Indian nations.

2021’s outstanding finalists were:

• Agua Caliente People Curriculum
  Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Cherokee Nation ONE FIRE
  Cherokee Nation
• Energy Lifeline Sector Resilience: Low-carbon Microgrids
  Blue Lake Rancheria
• Pe Sla
  The Great Sioux Nation
• Sitka Tribe of Alaska Environmental Lab
  Sitka Tribe of Alaska
• Swinomish Tax Authority
  Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

Through its latest round of awardees in the Honoring Nations program, the Harvard Project highlights how Indigenous people are tackling the challenges of (re)building healthy, vibrant nations.

From setting tribal priorities to building infrastructure to managing and sustaining projects, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities. As the tribes take on the challenges presented by the Act, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development hosted a series designed to assist tribes, to help tribes learn from each other and from a wide array of guest experts.

During this session, the seventh in the series, following a round of discussion between the panelists, a brief Q+A session was held to maximize the opportunities for audience participation.

This session, titled “Direct Relief for Tribal Citizens: Getting beyond Per Caps” featured:

• Rodney Butler, Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
• Cathy Chavers, Chairwoman, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
• Miriam Jorgensen, HKS 1991 MPP 2000 PhD, Research Director, Native Nations Institute, University of Arizona
• Kevin Killer, President, Oglala Sioux Tribe
• Karen Diver, Moderator, HKS 2003 MPA, Board of Governors, Honoring Nations, Harvard Project

From setting tribal priorities, to building infrastructure, to managing and sustaining projects, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities. As the tribes take on the challenges presented by the Act, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development hosted a series designed to assist tribes, to help tribes learn from each other and from a wide array of guest experts. During this session, the sixth in the series, following a round of discussion between the panelists a brief Q+A session was held to maximize the opportunities for audience participation.

This session, titled “Investing in Your Tribes’ Infrastructure” featured:

• Lael Echo-Hawk (Pawnee Nation), Principal, MThirtySix, PLLC
• Wendy Helgemo (Ho-Chunk Nation), Senior Legislative Attorney, Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP
• Joe Valandra (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), Executive Director, Native American Contractors Association
• Moderated by Karen Diver (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), HKS MPA 2003, Board of Governors, Honoring Nations, Harvard Project

From setting tribal priorities, to building infrastructure, to managing and sustaining projects, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities. As the tribes take on the challenges presented by the Act, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development hosted a series designed to assist tribes, to help tribes learn from each other and from a wide array of guest experts. During this session, the fifth in the series, following a round of discussion between the panelists a brief Q+A session was held to maximize the opportunities for audience participation.

This session, titled “Investing In Your Tribes’ Behavioral Health” featured:

• Stacy Bohlen (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), CEO, National Indian Health Board
• Del Laverdure (Crow Nation), Attorney, Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Department of Interior
• Lynn Malerba (Mohegan Tribe), Lifetime Chief, Mohegan Tribe
• Moderated by Karen Diver (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), HKS MPA 2003, Board of Governors, Honoring Nations, Harvard Project

From setting tribal priorities, to building infrastructure, to managing and sustaining projects, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities. As the tribes take on the challenges presented by the Act, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development hosted a series designed to assist tribes, to help tribes learn from each other and from a wide array of guest experts.

Where do you want to see your nation in 100 years? What decisions in the short and long term will help you achieve this vision? In this session, the fourth in the series, we looked at strategic decision making and the value of long-term planning, investing in human capital, data collection, and how incremental implementation can strengthen your tribe into the future. Each panelist presentation was followed by a brief Q+A session to maximize the opportunities for audience participation.

This session, titled “Strategic Planning and Implementation – How to Pick the Winners and Help Your Tribe” featured:

• Cheryl Andrews-Maltais (Aquinnah), Chairwoman, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah
• Patricia Riggs (Tigua), Indigenous Consultant
• Joan Timeche (Hopi), Executive Director, Native Nations Institute University of Arizona
• Amy Besaw Medford (Brothertown Indian) Moderator, HGSE 2002, Ed.M., Research Affiliate, Harvard Project

From setting tribal priorities, to building infrastructure, to managing and sustaining projects, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities. As the tribes take on the challenges presented by the Act, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development hosted a series designed to assist tribes, to help tribes learn from each other and from a wide array of guest experts.

During this discussion, the third in the series, each panelist presentation was followed by a brief Q+A session to maximize the opportunities for audience participation.

This session is titled “A Conversation with Bryan Newland – How Tribes Can Maximize their American Rescue Plan Opportunities” and featured:

• Bryan Newland, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs U.S. Department of Interior
• Del Laverdure, Attorney and Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior
• Moderated by Karen Diver HKS 2003, M.P.A., Board of Governors, Honoring Nations, Harvard Project.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides the largest single infusion of federal funding into Indian Country in the history of the United States. More than $32 billion is directed toward assisting American Indian nations and communities as they work to end and recover from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic – which was made worse in Indian Country precisely because such funding has been so long overdue.

From setting tribal priorities, to building infrastructure, to managing and sustaining projects, ARPA presents an unprecedented opportunity for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations to use their rights of sovereignty and self-government to strengthen their communities. As the tribes take on the challenges presented by the Act, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development presented a series designed to assist tribes, to help tribes learn from each other and from a wide array of guest experts.

This second session, titled “Where Other ARPA Monies Live — How to Avoid Tribes Leaving $12 Billion on the Table” featured a range of experts including:

• Stacey Ecoffey, Principal Advisor for Tribal Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Heather Dawn Thompson, HLS 2000, J.D, Director of the Office of Tribal Relations, USDA
• Burton Warrington, President, Indian Ave Group
  Moderated by Karen Diver HKS 2003, M.P.A., Board of Governors, Honoring Nations, Harvard Project