CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – 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. Since 1999, the Honoring Nations program identifies, celebrates, and shares excellence in American Indian tribal governance. Applications are evaluated on the basis of a program’s effectiveness, significance to sovereignty, cultural relevance, transferability, and sustainability.
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. The program’s director, Megan Minoka Hill (Oneida), states, “Honoring Nations recognizes innovative programs and initiatives operating throughout Indian Country and provides a unique opportunity for local governments around the world to learn about and replicate lessons from these outstanding tribal governance success stories in their own communities.”
Looking back on the past several years especially, we have witnessed tremendous resilience and strength throughout Indian Country. The efforts made by the Honoring Nations awardees are no exception. Programs adjusted, readjusted, and adjusted again to support and serve their tribal nations and citizens, navigating a multitude of health, environmental, and economic crises. For these reasons, the Honoring Nations Board of Governors invited all former awardees to apply to this special All-Stars cycle to share their lessons in sustainability and good governance.
Chairman of the Board of Governors, Hon. Regis Pecos (Cochiti) signals that by sharing their work, the All-Stars bestow on all of us their vision and wisdom by “protecting the givers of life, nurturing the spirit of sovereignty and self-governance, and serving as good stewards and protectors to keep in balance all living things, all our relations.” The gifts from all nine All-Stars are promises for an even better tomorrow for all of Indian Country and the world. The nine Honoring Nations 2023 All-Stars are:
Alaska Rural Utility Collaborative*
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Fort Peck School Based Health Centers*
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Department*
Nez Perce Tribe
Owe’neh Bupingeh Rehabilitation Project
Ohkay Owingeh
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Child Welfare Program
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
Treaty Rights/National Forest Management MOU
Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission
Umatilla Basin Salmon Recovery Project, Cultural Resources Protection, Čáw Pawá Láakni
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
In recognition of their important work to strengthen their nations, All-Stars are gifted a beautiful storyteller, created by world-renowned Jemez Pueblo potter, Caroline Sando, reflecting the award and the importance of sharing their stories thereby offering solutions to universal challenges around the world. They will be celebrated through a variety of dissemination channels, including digital platforms and other multi-media as well as a variety of virtual and in-person events and symposia. Additionally, the work of the Featured All-Stars (noted by the asterisk) will be highlighted in docu-shorts to showcase their work and impact.
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About the Project on Indigenous Governance and Development
The Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (formerly the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development) is based in the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Through applied research and service, the Project aims to understand and foster the conditions under which sustained, self-determined social and economic development is achieved among American Indian nations. The Project’s core activities include research, education, and the administration of Honoring Nations, a tribal governance awards program. In all of its activities, the Project collaborates with the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy at the University of Arizona. The Project is also formally affiliated with the Harvard University Native American Program, an interfaculty initiative at Harvard University.
For more information about Honoring Nations, please visit the Project’s website at www.IndigenousGov.hks.harvard.edu or email IndigenousGov@hks.harvard.edu.
About the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective government problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens.
Contact Information
melissa_yazzie@hks.harvard.edu
Daniel Harsha
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
daniel_harsha@hks.harvard.edu
