#  Conference on Democracy in Indian Country: Voting Rights and Freedom of the Press 

 



    ![Democracy in Indian Country Flyer](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_5_4__480x385/public/2026-08/%28Public%29%20Democracy%20in%20Indian%20Country_0.png?h=bd2831f2&itok=rXfdK5NZ) 

 



 

####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **September 11, 2026** 

 08:30AM - 04:00PM EDT 

####  pin\_drop Location 

 **Malkin Penthouse, Littauer Building, HKS**  



 

 



 

> ### This event is co-presented in collaboration with the [Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development](https://indigenousgov.hks.harvard.edu/), the [Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance](https://imfreedomalliance.org/), the [Harvard University Native American Program](https://hunap.harvard.edu/), and the [Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation](https://ash.harvard.edu/).

## Agenda:

*8:30 A.M. Registration/Breakfast*

**8:50 A.M. Welcome: Randall Akee, HPIGD and Archon Fung, Ash Center**

**9:00 A.M – 10:15 A.M. Panel 1: Pillars of Democracy - Freedom of the Press and Voting Press**

*This session will set the tone for why Freedom of the Press and Voting Rights are essential in Indian Country and how these issues are similar and different from mainstream American challenges.*

- Moderator: 
    - ***Thomas Patterson***, Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press Shorenstein Center at Harvard Kennedy School
- Panelists:
    - ***Jodi Rave Spotted Bear***, Buffalo’s Fire & Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance
    - ***Randall Akee***, Director, Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development
    - ***Regis Pecos***, Former Governor, Cochiti Pueblo

*10:15 A.M – 10:45 A.M. Break*

**10:45 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Panel 2: Voting Rights, Obstacles, and the Current View**

*This session will illuminate distinct historical, contemporary, and future voting challenges for Native America.*

- Moderator: 
    - ***Tova Wang***, Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice, Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
- Panelists:
    - ***Melissa Rogers***, Claremont Graduate University
    - ***Joseph Dietrich***, Towson University

*12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Buffet Lunch*

**1:00 P.M. – 2:15 P.M. Panel 3: Pathways Towards Increased Press Access**

*This session will discuss how to maintain cultural values while codifying Freedom of Information and Press Access.*

- Panelists:
    - ***Chris Mercier***, Tribal Council for The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

**2:15 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Panel 4: Advocacy in Voting**

*This session will highlight various advocacy initiatives focused on "Getting out the Native Vote."*

- Moderator:
    
    
    - ***Jean Schroedel***, Claremont Graduate University

*3:30 P.M. Closing Remarks*



 

 



 

 

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