Nation Building II

The Native Americans in the 21st Century: Nation Building II course addresses current issues facing Native & Indigenous nations or organizations and requires students to work directly with a client to conduct research or provide scholarly support to a project proposed by that client. These projects are a partnership between the community client and our students and provide an opportunity to study contemporary issues facing Indigenous nations and communities.

Recent Projects

2020

Ka’ananiau, Managing the Beauty of Time, Waianae, Hawai’i
Intertribal Agriculture Council: CDFI Agricultural Lending, Billings, Montana
Santa Clara Pueblo: Kha’p’o Community Endowment, Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico
Chippewa Cree Business Development, Box Elder, Montana
Mapping Suicide Prevention Services, New Mexico
Metrics for STEM K-12 Education, Brimley, Michigan
Ho-Chunk: Multi-Generational Treatment Options, Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Strategies to Prevent Financial Exploitation of Tribal Elders, Fort Hall, Idaho
Sacred Site Protection, New Mexico
Southern Ute Indian Tribe: Cannabis Business Plan, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Colorado
Navajo Nation Business Development, Window Rock, Arizona

2021

Toward Energy Sovereignty: Investigating Renewable Energy Investment for the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Box Elder, Montana
Youth Hockey and Health Outcome Project, Canada
GLIFWC Member Tribe Groundwater Governance Report 2021, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Wisconsin, Michigan & Minnesota
Santa Clara Pueblo and the 2021 New Mexico Legislative Session: Policy and Financial Analysis, Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico
New Mexico Indian Affairs, Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives Task Force, New Mexico
Overcoming the Distance: New Mexico Tribal Behavioral and Mental Health Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, New Mexico
Igyaramiuni Ciunerkaput: Stewardship Vision and Land Management Strategies for the Village of Igiugig, Igiugig, Alaska
Dual Taxation on Navajo Land Legal Frameworks and Economic Implications, Window Rock, Arizona
Quapaw Nation Land Use Plan, Quapaw Nation, Oklahoma

2023

Dual Taxation Legislation on behalf of the Tribal Economic Tax Reform Advocacy Alliance
Measuring Prosperity and Wellbeing on Navajo Nation on behalf of Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development and the Dineh Chamber of Commerce
American Samoa Museum Scoping Project on behalf of ClearRock Sustainable Energy
Land Management & Permitting at the Bears Ears National Monument on behalf of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition
Treatment as State Status Under the Clean Water Act on behalf of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Rock the Canyon Arts and Music Festival on behalf of Building Communities and the Shonto Group
Digitization of Prioritized Government Services on behalf of Building Communities and the Navajo Nation
Hopi Governance Report (Where can we go from here?) on behalf of Building Communities and the Joint Village Strategic Planning (JVSP) Committee
Santa Clara Pueblo’s Scholarship Revisions and Automation on behalf of the Santa Clara Pueblo’s Department of Youth and Learning (DYL)
The Stronghold Long-Term Housing Strategy on behalf of The Stronghold
From Colonial Harm to Decolonial Healing on behalf of The Stronghold
The Development of Cannabis Production and Sales on behalf of the Eastern Bank of Cherokee Indians’ (EBCI) Qualla Enterprises

2025 Projects and Descriptions

Value of Subsistence Ways of Life / Chilkat Indian Village

Research and document the value of subsistence lifestyles and pristine watersheds to challenge state and federal claims of extractive industry benefits; support government-to-government advocacy and coalition-building.

Vivienda Digna: Sustainable Housing Solutions for Indigenous Communities in San Luis Potosí

Seeks to support Indigenous migrant communities by assessing housing and infrastructure needs, developing culturally appropriate and sustainable housing policies, creating long-term resource and planning strategies, and aligning recommendations with national and international Indigenous rights frameworks.

Enhancing Tribal Co-Management and Co-Stewardship in Offshore Wind Development / Tribal Climate Resilience Network

Develop frameworks for Tribal co-management of renewable energy and infrastructure projects to protect sovereignty, cultural heritage, and environmental interests; model for other regions.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous People: Follow the Law & Policy / International Women’s Media Foundation

Centralize and maintain accessible hub of policy, data, and research to support awareness, advocacy, and coordinated action on MMIP; ensure ongoing relevance and use.

Creating a Preferred Landlord Network to Support the Chickasaw Nation’s Housing Rental Assistance Program

Explore strategies to increase availability and quality of low-income housing for Tribal citizens; address landlord participation barriers and improve housing outcomes.

Rhythm & Ride Expansion / The Cultural Intelligence Project

Expand cultural and economic impact of flagship event in Northern Australia; enhance training, employment, and representation opportunities for Indigenous youth; explore domestic and international markets.

Traditional Owner Economy Investment Logic Framework / Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation

Develop and consolidate economic strategies to strengthen Traditional Owner Economy; enable culturally grounded self-determination and sustainable business growth.

Eastern Shoshone Tribe / Cultural Hub Development

Plan and design a centralized facility to consolidate cultural, educational, archival, and historic preservation resources; explore sustainable funding and best practices.

Eastern Shoshone Tribe / Governance Structure Reform

Generate an analysis of its current governance, explore successful tribal governance models, and develop recommendations for constitutional reform to streamline decision-making, enhance political stability, and build member consensus.

Eastern Shoshone Tribe / Language Revitalization through Technology

Leverage the tribe's online dictionary and language app by developing lesson plans, activities, and curriculum strategies that increase language fluency, usage, and cultural preservation across the community.

United Houma Nation / Tribal Resilience Plan

Implement Tribal Resilience Plan across five phases, including resilience hubs, communications, economic development, and community-led migration; enhance regional resilience and capacity-building.

Igiugig Village Council: Co-Management of National Parks/Lake Iliamna Region

Develop land management priorities, policy recommendations, and stewardship strategies for meaningful co-management; reinforce sovereignty, cultural preservation, and sustainable economic development.

Mashpee Wampanoag Land Planning and Use Committee: Recycling and Waste-To-Energy Plants

Establish Tribal wastewater and recycling infrastructure to restore water quality, recover resources, generate energy, and build Tribal economic independence.

The Stronghold: Native Peer-Run Curriculum

Develop culturally responsive, Native-focused peer curriculum for reentry/diversion; strengthen community support, criminal justice engagement, and public health connections.

Bay Mills Ojibwe Community/Department of Defense: Expanding Access and Awareness for the Great Lakes Region and Tribal Nations DoD K12 STEM Saturday Zoom Learning Sessions for Grade 6-9 Students

Expand virtual STEM education outreach to Tribal students; leverage social media and Tribal networks to increase engagement and participation.

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi/Waséyabek Development Company, Best Practices and Grant Opportunities for Tribal Internships at Waséyabek

Research best practices and grant opportunities to build internship programs for Tribal Members; support career development, mentorship, and workforce growth.

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi/Waséyabek Development Company, Bridging Cultures: A Comprehensive Guide to Engaging with Tribal Businesses

Develop white paper for non-Tribal businesses to navigate engagement with Tribal enterprises; increase awareness, collaboration, and economic growth in Indian Country.

Santa Clara Pueblo: Head Start Full Enrollment Initiative

Address under-enrollment by developing a comprehensive recruitment strategy, creating an under-enrollment action plan, and researching best practices to ensure sustained program growth and alignment with federal Full Enrollment goals.

Eastern Woodland Revitalization: Library and Research Portal

Build a comprehensive digital and physical archive to reclaim, preserve, and share traditional knowledge, practices, and cultural heritage of Eastern Woodland tribal communities.

Rocky Boy Health Center (Chippewa Cree Tribe): Mīyō Pimātisiwinkamik, (Good Life Lodge) Youth Center

Develop holistic youth center offering clinical, educational, cultural, and wellness programs; refine business plan, curricula, assessment tools, and food sovereignty initiatives.

Alaska Native Nations #Landback / Chilkat Indian Village

Research strategies for reclaiming Federal and State lands; analyze historical records, treaties, and jurisdictional issues to implement successful #LandBack initiatives.

Government-to-Government Consultation Process / Chilkat Indian Village

Explore strategies to improve government-to-government consultation between Alaskan tribes and the State; assess policy, regulations, and practices post-state recognition to enhance sovereignty.