#  Project on Indigenous Governance and Development 

 



##  Sovereignty Matters 

When Native nations make their own decisions about what development approaches to take, they consistently out-perform external decision makers—on matters as diverse as governmental form, natural resource management, economic development, health care and social service provision.



 

 [ The Future of Nation Building arrow\_circle\_right ](https://youtu.be/gIY-lJGF1Ik) 

 

       ![18 squares with images of nature and people from across Indian Country](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2026-03/2026%20version%20%281%29.png?itok=i4RSCeoK) 

 

 



 

 



 

##  Featured 

 



  [### Spotlight

 ](https://ash.harvard.edu/articles/the-harvard-project-announces-2025-honoring-nations-award-winners/)The 2025 Honoring Nations Awards [recently awarded 6 governmental initiatives](https://ash.harvard.edu/articles/the-harvard-project-announces-2025-honoring-nations-award-winners/) for outstanding excellence in tribal self-governance.



 

   ![spotlight](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/_mg_1768.jpg?itok=v4XIXN8a) 

 

 

 

  [### Key Research

 ](https://ash.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Experts-Not-Obstacles-Indigenous-Conservation-FINAL-FINAL.pdf)Researchers [release global review](https://ash.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Experts-Not-Obstacles-Indigenous-Conservation-FINAL-FINAL.pdf) finding Indigenous conservation practices achieve equal or superior conservation outcomes.



 

   ![key_research](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/_mg_2297.jpg?itok=Si33R3Oj) 

 

 

 

  [### Tools for Tribal Leaders

 ](https://sites.google.com/g.harvard.edu/nationbuildingtoolboxes/home#h.p_DhcV8jCDpqqT/)Explore [Nation Building Toolboxes](https://sites.google.com/g.harvard.edu/nationbuildingtoolboxes/home#h.p_DhcV8jCDpqqT/) to learn strategies and gain resources from tribal nations across Indian Country to strengthen governance.



 

   ![tools_for_tribal_leaders](/sites/g/files/omnuum6806/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/hn_05_site_photos_606.jpg?itok=_qhCkhyS) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

##  Recent Publications 

 



  Download 2 citations  download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=bibtex)
- [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=endnote8)
- [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=endnote7)
- [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=tagged)
- [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=marc)
- [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=pubmed_id)
- [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1610071&content_filter%5B1%5D=1596336&content_filter%5B2%5D=1536396&&format=ris)
 


 

### 2024

Joseph Kalt. 2024. [Self-Government, Taxation, and Tribal Development: The Critical Role of American Indian Nation Business Enterprises](/publications/self-government-taxation-and-tribal-development-critical-role-american-indian)



 

 

Joseph Kalt. 2024. [Self-Government, Taxation, and Tribal Development: The Critical Role of American Indian Nation Business Enterprises](/publications/self-government-taxation-and-tribal-development-critical-role-american-indian)



 

 

 

- add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract
- [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://ash.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Policy-Brief-8-Taxation-Enterprises-10-07-24-vFIN-for-DIST.pdf)
 
Under federal policies of self-determination through self-government, the 574 federally recognized American Indian nations in the United States are now expected to perform essentially all of the functions performed by state and local governments...



 

 

- [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://ash.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Policy-Brief-8-Taxation-Enterprises-10-07-24-vFIN-for-DIST.pdf)
 
 

Alejandro Rodríguez and Martín Rodríguez. 2024. [Environmental and Social Risks and Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Climate and Nature Finance](/publications/environmental-and-social-risks-and-opportunities-indigenous-peoples-climate-and)



 

 

Alejandro Rodríguez and Martín Rodríguez. 2024. [Environmental and Social Risks and Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Climate and Nature Finance](/publications/environmental-and-social-risks-and-opportunities-indigenous-peoples-climate-and)



 

 

 

- add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract
- [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/hpaied/files/policy_analysis_exercise_-_alejandro_martin_rodriguez_and_martin_rodriguez_rodriguez.pdf)
 
The critical role of Indigenous Peoples in the world’s responses to the climate crisis is highlighted by their guardianship of over 80% of the world’s biological diversity and their rich climate and nature knowledge. Still, we find a striking disparity in...



 

 

- [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/hpaied/files/policy_analysis_exercise_-_alejandro_martin_rodriguez_and_martin_rodriguez_rodriguez.pdf)
 
 

 



 

 

 

 [ See All Publications arrow\_circle\_right ](/publications) 

 

 

 

##  Recent News 

 



  [### How Tribal Self-Governance Advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

 ](/news/2026/06/how-tribal-self-governance-advances-sustainable-development-goals-sdgs) June 11, 2026 

 

   [### Patrice Kunesh (MC/MPA 2010) Receives HKS Alumni Public Service Award

 ](/news/2026/05/patrice-kunesh-mcmpa-2010-receives-hks-alumni-public-service-award) May 20, 2026 

 

   [### Navajo, Hopi share grant to aid communities hurt by coal mine closures

 ](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2026/04/10/grant-will-help-navajo-hopi-towns-hurt-by-coal-mine-closures/89491839007/) April 10, 2026 

 

  

 

 [ See All News arrow\_circle\_right ](/news) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Land Acknowledgement 

The Project acknowledges the land on which Harvard University sits is the traditional territory of the Massachusett peoples. We also recognize the continuing presence of the neighboring Wampanoag and Nipmuc nations.



 

 

##  Follow Us on Social Media 

 



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