News and Analysis

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

Video

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

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

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

Video

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

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

Combatting Anti-Asian Racism and Misogyny: What is our Local Community Doing?

Video

Combatting Anti-Asian Racism and Misogyny: What is our Local Community Doing?

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.

Police Violence, Memory, and Mobilization in Brazil
Graphic of event details

Video

Police Violence, Memory, and Mobilization in Brazil

The Ash Center’s event featured members of Mães de Maio (Mothers of May), a collective of mothers whose children were killed by police in May 2006 in one of the largest police massacres in Brazilian history.