#  Nation Building I 

 



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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](https://www.gse.harvard.edu/) and the [T.H. Chan School of Public Health](https://hsph.harvard.edu/).

[Fall 2025 Syllabus (PDF)](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/2025-08/Syllabus%20HKS%20DEV-501%20Fall%202025%20v6.pdf "Fall 2025 Syllabus Native Americans in the 21st Century: Nation Building I")

### 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