Nation Building I
Contemporary Native nations are actively (re)building their communities and pioneering approaches that can inspire governments everywhere. Research shows that “one size fits all” doesn’t apply when addressing the challenges before tribes, but it does show that viable approaches for nation building must be compatible with individual societies’ cultures. Through case studies, field research, and guest presentations from distinguished Indigenous leaders, students gain a deeper understanding of the core objectives. Occuring in the Fall semester, this course is co-taught by Profs. Randall Akee and Miriam Jorgensen and is cross-listed with the Graduate School of Education and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Past Distinguished Guest Speakers
Kate Anderson, Director of Public Relations, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)
Governor Bill Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation
Chairman John "Rocky" Barrett, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Former Attorney General Ethel Branch, Navajo Nation
Terry Brockie, CEO, Island Mountain Development Group
Chairman Rodney Butler, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Dr. Andrea Carmen, International Indian Treaty Council
Professor Kristen Carpenter, University of Colorado
Ambassador Jonodev Chaudhuri, Muscogee Nation
Dr. Carnell Chosa, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School
Amy Bowers Cordalis, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group
Secretary/Treasurer Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Former Chairwoman Karen Diver, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough, International Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council
Former President Diane Enos, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Gabe Galanda, Managing Lawyer, Galanda Broadman
Chairwoman Gwendena Gatewood, White Mountain Apache Tribe
Professor Joseph Gone, Faculty Director, Harvard University Native American Program
Principal Chief David Hill, The Muscogee Nation
Norbert S. Hill, Jr., AISES, Council of Elders & Former Executive Director
Attorney General Sara Hill, Cherokee Nation
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskins Jr., Cherokee Nation
Hindou Ibrahim, Co-Chair, International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change
Former Governor Richard Luarkie, Pueblo of Laguna
Chairman Mark Macarro, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
Lifetime Chief Marilynn "Lynn" Malerba, Mohegan Tribe
Former Chairwoman & Current Councilor Alfreda Mitre, Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
Kellie Mosteller, Former Executive Director, Harvard University Native American Program
Muscogee Nation Court, hosted by Judge Greg Bigler
Anders Oskal, Executive Director, International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry
Jason Packineau, Assistant Director and Interim Executive Director, Harvard University Native American Program
Former Governor Regis Pecos, Cochiti Pueblo & Honoring Nations Chairman, Board of Governors
Saint Regis Healing to Wellness Court, hosted by Judge Carrie Garrow
Chairman Greg Sarris, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
Professor Wenona Singel, Michigan State University
Kenny Smoker, Director, Fort Peck Tribes Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
Professor Aleksei Tsykarev, former Chairperson, Rapporteur of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Lisa Wade, Executive Director, Administration Department, Chickaloon Native Village
Attorney General Denise Turner Walsh, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
Alvin Warren, Vice President of Policy and Impact, LANL Foundation
Jennifer Weddle, Principal Shareholder & Co-Chair American Indian Law Practice Group, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
