NNI and Harvard Project Research

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Making First Nation Law: The Listuguj Mi'gmaq Fishery

Making First Nation Law: The Listuguj Mi'gmaq Fishery

This is a case study that explores Listuguj Mi'gmaq law, an assertion and manifestation of the nation's right to fish and to govern its people, lands, and waters in its own ways. It discusses the genesis, application, and effects of the law and how a First Nation not only reclaimed their inherent…

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Cherokee National Youth Choir

Cherokee National Youth Choir

The Youth Choir presents an innovative approach to promoting and encouraging the use of the endangered Cherokee language among its youth while also instilling Cherokee cultural pride. The award-winning choir — comprised of 40 young Cherokee ambassadors — has performed in venues across the US,…

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Borrego Springs Bank of the Viejas Band

Borrego Springs Bank of the Viejas Band

The first American Indian-owned bank in California, the Borrego Springs Bank (BSB) offers a full range of services to tribal governments and Native-owned businesses in order to facilitate the entrepreneurial growth of American Indian tribes. With more than $74 million in assets and two full service…

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The Financial Literacy of Native American Youth

The Financial Literacy of Native American Youth

Tests of high school students conducted by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy indicate that Native American youth are less prepared to make informed financial choices than most of their peers. Jump$tart and the members of the Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC) are…

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Per Capita Distributions of American Indian Tribal Revenues: A Preliminary Discussion of Policy Considerations

Per Capita Distributions of American Indian Tribal Revenues: A Preliminary Discussion of Policy Considerations

This paper examines policy considerations relevant to per capita distributions of tribal revenues. It offers Native nation leaders and citizens food for thought as they consider whether or not to issue per capita payments and, if they choose to do so, how to structure the distribution of funds and…

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The Concept of Governance and its Implications for First Nations

The Concept of Governance and its Implications for First Nations

What is governance? What is government? What does each do? And what distinguishes good governance - or good government - from bad? Why is the quality of governance important to the success of human societies? And what is the significance and meaning of self-governance? And What does effective self-…

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Social and Economic Consequences of Indian Gaming in Oklahoma

Social and Economic Consequences of Indian Gaming in Oklahoma

Much has been written in the mainstream press about Indian gaming and its impact on Indian and non-Indian communities. The debate, however, tends to be focused on Class III or “casino-style” gaming. The effects of Class II gaming have largely been overlooked by the press and, unfortunately, by the…

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Indigenous Peoples, Poverty and Self-Determination in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States

Indigenous Peoples, Poverty and Self-Determination in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States

Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States are among the world’s wealthiest nations. It is an often noted irony–and an occasional source of embarrassment to the governments of these countries–that the Indigenous peoples within their borders are in each case among their poorest citizens.

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Rights, Governance, and the BC Treaty Process

Rights, Governance, and the BC Treaty Process

The keynote address given at the BC Treaty Commission Conference for First Nations that discusses the rights, governance and the BC treaty process. Cornell emphasizes the fact that treating making can be more than a process. It can lead to the phenomenal concept of nation building that is sweeping…

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ONABEN: A Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network

ONABEN: A Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network

Founded by a consortium of Native nations in the Pacific Northwest, ONABEN's mission is to increase self-reliance by promoting the development of tribal-citizen-owned small businesses and the diversification of reservation economies. ONABEN's programs provide financial counseling, business…

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Bad River Chippewa Recycling Solid Waste Department

Bad River Recycling/Solid Waste Department

The Bad River Recycling/Solid Waste Department created environmentally sound practices of managing and disposing of waste generated on the reservation, ending cycles of harm to tribal citizens, lands, and water. Historically, waste was not only hazardous, but noticeable and abundant on reservation…

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Two Approaches to Economic Development on American Indian Reservations: One Works, the Other Doesn't

Two Approaches to Economic Development on American Indian Reservations: One Works, the Other Doesn't

As much of the world knows, American Indian nations are poor. What much of the world doesn't know is that in the last quarter century, a number of these nations have broken away from the prevailing pattern of poverty. They have moved aggressively to take control of their futures and rebuild their…

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Tribal experience with children's accounts

Tribal experience with children's accounts

“Accounts at birth” is an important idea at the frontier of savings and asset-building policy. How to make them effective is an important topic for research. This paper presents ideas and initial findings from the experience of American Indian nations–America's first asset-builders–with such…

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Statement before the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing on Economic Development

Statement before the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing on Economic Development

Why is it that, amidst the well-documented and widespread poverty and social distress that characterize American Indian reservations overall, an increasing number of Native nations are breaking old patterns and building economies, social institutions, and political systems that work? What explains…