Interior Department to Collaborate with Harvard on American Indian Economic Development

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »


Harvard University's Project on American Indian Economic DevelopmentHarvard Project

WASHINGTON - The US Department of Interior and Harvard will collaborate on promoting tribal economic development through research, outreach and leadership education. Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk and his principal deputy assistant secretary, Donald "Del" Laverdure, on Monday announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Harvard University's Project on American Indian Economic Development. The Memorandum of Understanding was finalized July 12.

"Through this memorandum of understanding with the world-renowned Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, the Department of Interior has access to the best possible minds and expertise in the field of creating and promoting self-sustaining tribal economies," Echo Hawk said.

"It will be the tribes who benefit from the creativity of this collaborative partnership, and they will reap the rewards of its efforts," said Laverdure. "We are confident that the outcomes of this collaboration will spur greater economic activity and increase employment in all areas of Indian Country."

The Department of Interior and the Harvard Project have identified areas of possible collaboration:

  • Research efforts that focus on improving economic opportunities in tribal communities, that facilitate tribal development of the legal and political infrastructure that will promote economic development in tribal communities, and that address disparities in economic indicators.
  • The identification and development of outreach efforts having high potential impact on economic development initiatives in tribal communities, the capacity of those communities to promote economic development, opportunities for productive research and curriculum programs on economic development and tribal government management.
  • Expanded outreach and recruitment opportunities for graduate education at Harvard University and its allied organizations in leadership, management and other professional fields relevant to Indian Country economic development policy, as well as the orientation and training of DOI and Indian Affairs managers to foster a climate of economic growth in tribal communities.

In addition to Echo Hawk and Laverdure for the DOI, the signatories to the MOU from Harvard University are Kennedy School of Government Dean David Ellwood and Harvard Project Director Joseph P. Kalt.

Founded in 1987, the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development is housed within the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Through applied research, teaching and service, the Harvard Project aims to understand and foster the conditions under which sustained, self-determined social and economic development is achieved through American Indian nations.

The Project's core activities include research, advisory services, mid-career executive education, and the administration of a tribal governance awards program.

posted August 9, 2011 8:50 am edt

Like Us on facebook »

Have a Story or Photo about Today’s News?

Do you have a comment about this news brief? Share it!

Enter Your Title


Other Article Links:


Large Tribes Form New Coalition

American Indians Reaching Out to All Nations

Return to the Home Page


Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave a comment in the box below.


Most Popular

  1. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Arrested in White Clay
  2. TransCanada Caught Training Police to Treat Anti-Keystone XL Activists as "Terrorists"
  3. South Dakota Six Sioux Tribes Announce Wind Power Initiative
  4. Documentary that Highlights Conflicts between Tribes & Energy Companies to Premiere
  5. Navajo Code Talker Milton Gishal Passes - Second Code Talker during this Past Week
  6. NFL Commissioner Uses Faulty Evidence to Justify Washington Football Team's Name
  7. Muscogee Creek Delegation Travels to Alabama for Hickory Ground Court Hearing
  8. VOTE to Send Navajo Code Talker David Patterson to MLB All-Star Game
  9. "Rez Ramblings" Tells the Behind the Scenes of Life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
  10. Congress Tackles Education Bill This Week: Native Education Policy Debated


Welcome

Thank you for visiting. We are loading the new Native News Network website. Visitors always come first, so if you click on a link only to find the corresponding page is unavailable, please use this link to contact us here ».

Then, tell us how we can help you.

I will contact you personally.

Thank you,

Mike Mohan
Publisher