On the Front Lines: Tribal Nations Take on COVID-19

Like governments around the world, America’s 574 federally recognized tribal nations are racing to protect their citizens from the coronavirus. Impacting tribes at a rate four times higher than for the US population, the pandemic is testing the limits of tribal public health infrastructures. Simultaneously, shuttered casinos and other business enterprises are crippling tribal economies. Coupled with an inefficient federal response, resources to provide critical governmental services are being rapidly depleted, intensifying the crisis. This conversation, facilitated on May 26th, 2020 by Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center, features the following leaders:

• Dr. Laura Hammitt, Director of Infectious Disease Programs, Johns Hopkins University Center for American Indian Health
• Prof. Joe Kalt, Ford Foundation Professor (Emeritus) of International Political Economy & Co-Director, Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development
• Mr. Del Laverdure, Attorney. Former Acting Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary & Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, US Dept. of the Interior
• Hon. Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community, HKS MPA 2006 
• Megan Minoka Hill, Moderator, Program Director, Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development & Director, Honoring Nations