News and Analysis

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.

Organizers and practitioners around the globe have long utilized “public narratives” as a way of connecting their work to leadership by learning to tell a story of self, a story of us, and a story of now. In this panel discussion, Ash Center Democracy Fellow Dr. Emilia Aiello examined how public narratives can contribute to community building and power building even under constrained conditions. Dr. Aiello was joined by leaders and practitioners of the Qom Ma’al Muallem (Stand Up with the Teachers) Campaign, which has been organizing for female workers rights in Jordan. The campaign was originally supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO), and coached by Ahel, a community-based organization that has aided organizing efforts that promote freedom, justice, and human rights for over ten years in countries across the Middle East, such as Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon.

Panelists include:

• Nisreen Haj Ahmad, Director of Ahel; Alumni of Harvard Kennedy School
• Nariman Al-Shawaheen, Coordinator of Stand Up with the Teachers Campaign, Jordan
• Reem Aslam, International Labor Organization, Jordan
• Dr. Emilia Aiello (Moderator), Marie Sklodowska-Curie Post-doctoral Fellow, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School

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

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 first session, titled “How Tribal Governments Can and Can’t use ARPA” featured:

• Joseph P. Kalt, Ford Foundation Professor (Emeritus) of International Political Economy & Co-Director, Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development
• Del Laverdure, Attorney and Former Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior
• Burton Warrington, President, Indian Ave Group
• Jennifer Weddle HLS 2000, J.D., Principal Shareholder, Co-Chair American Indian Law Practice Group, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
• Andy Werk, Jr., President, Fort Belknap Indian Community
• Moderated by Karen Diver HKS 2003, M.P.A., Board of Governors, Honoring Nations, Harvard Project

This public discussion highlighted key challenges of racism, misogyny and other discrimination faced by our Asian and Asian-American community, the responses of local organizations who have long sought to address such challenges, and what more needs to be done in our own communities. Speakers represented perspectives from the Harvard Kennedy School’s staff, faculty and student groups, as well as leading local non-profits.

Speakers included:

• Anisha Asundi, Research Fellow: Gender Specialist, Harvard Kennedy School Women and Public Policy Program
• Carolyn Chou, Executive Director, Asian American Resource Workshop
• Dr. Kathy Pham, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
• Nick Sung, Harvard Kennedy School MPP ’21
• Dr. Kaori Urayama, Senior Program Manager, Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center

William Huang, Harvard Kennedy School MPP ’22, gave the welcome.