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Read the latest news, commentary, and analysis from the Ash Center.

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In what ways does Inauguration Day 2025 symbolize the resilience or fragility of American democracy?

On January 20, 2025, as Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, the nation reached a critical turning point.

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Building Back Better: Intelligent Infrastructure and Civil Works

Video

Building Back Better: Intelligent Infrastructure and Civil Works

Join us for an Ash Center virtual discussion on how developing intelligent infrastructure is crucial for helping the United States tackle the challenge of inequitable, inaccessible, and inadequate roads, bridges, dams, sidewalks, and water systems throughout the country. In this talk co-author Betsy Gardner introduced the recent paper, “Toward a Smarter Future: Building Back Better with Intelligent Civil Infrastructure — Smart Sensors and Self-Monitoring Civil Works”, followed by co-author Jill Jamieson and subject matter expert Professor Luna Lu spoke about innovation in infrastructure. The conversation was moderated by co-author Professor Stephen Goldsmith.

Tune in us as Gardner, Jamieson, Lu, and Goldsmith made the argument for a strategic, smart infrastructure plan that integrates digital technology, sensors, and data to not only address existing issues but to mitigate risks and improve the conditions and structures that shape our daily lives.

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 7

Video

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 7

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

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 6

Video

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 6

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

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 5

Video

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 5

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

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 4

Video

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 4

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

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 3

Video

Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 3

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.

Public Narratives and Organizing: A Case Study of the Stand Up with the Teachers Campaign in Jordan

Video

Public Narratives and Organizing: A Case Study of the Stand Up with the Teachers Campaign in Jordan

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