How did indigenous peoples organize themselves before European contact?
How have persistent colonial policies affected indigenous communities?
How are tribal leaders rebuilding their nations and renewing indigenous economies?

The Hoover Institution student seminar on Renewing Indigenous Economies will help Indigenous college students and recent graduates think critically about the interface between federal Indian policy and self-determination. During the week, students will learn about the evolution of property rights and trade networks before European contact; the philosophical underpinnings of indigenous notions of individualism and governance; the effects of persistent colonial policies on indigenous people and communities; and the innovations in Indian Country that are spurring economic growth.

Seminar Faculty
Terry Anderson, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution
Books include: Unlocking the Wealth of Indian Nations

John Cogan, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

Deanna Kennedy, Cherokee Nation of OklahomaUniversity of Washington - Bothell
Books include: American Indian Business: Principles and Practice

Stacy Leeds, Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law

Robert Miller, Eastern Shawnee, Professor at ASU College of Law & Chief Justice of Grand Ronde Tribe
Books include: Reservation Capitalism: Economic Development in Indian Country and Creating Private Sector Economies in Native America: Sustainable Development through Entrepreneurship

Dominic Parker, Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution

Daniel Stewart, Spokane, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director, Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Gonzaga University
Books include: Creating Private Sector Economies in Native America: Sustainable Development through Entrepreneurship and American Indian Business: Principles and Practice

John Taylor, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

Bill Yellowtail, Former Montana state senator and Katz Professor in Native American Studies at Montana State University

friday, october 1

Time Content Presenters

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Trade, Property Rights, and Governance: Back to the Future for Renewing Indigenous Economies

What did traditional governance and ownership structures look like before European contact? How have they evolved?

Terry Anderson, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

10:15 - 11:15 AM

Technology, Economics, and Governance

John Taylor, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

11:30 - 12:30 PM

Government Transfer Payments: Their History and their Economic Benefit

John Cogan, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

1:30 - 2:30 PM

Indigenous Economies by the Numbers: What We Learn fro Research

Dominic Parker, Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution

4:00 - 5:45 PM

Indian Nations’ Sovereignty and Jurisdiction

Stacy Leeds, Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law
Robert Miller, Arizona State University

 

saturday, OCTOBER 2

Time Content Presenters/panelists

9:30 - 10:45 AM

Indigenous Entrepreneurship

Being Native American, is it appropriate for you to be an entrepreneur? How does being Native American prepare you to be an entrepreneur or business leader? How does being an entrepreneur or business leader prepare you to advance Indigenous economies?

Deanna Kennedy, University of Washington
Daniel Stewart, Gonzaga University

11:00 - 12:15 PM

Radical Hope: Indian Futuring

How could a nine-year-old’s dream become the guiding philosophy for an entire tribe navigating the transition from buffalo days to modernity? Can we find meaning in Plenty Coups’ childhood vision that helps native peoples into constructive futuring? What is radical about hope?

Bill Yellowtail, Former Montana state senator and Katz Professor in Native American Studies at Montana State University


For questions about the Indigenous Student Seminar, please email Wendy Purnell: wendy@indigenousecon.org

Upcoming Events

Friday, January 10, 2025
Building a Ruin: The Cold War Politics of Soviet Economic Reform
Book Talk: "Building A Ruin: The Cold War Politics Of Soviet Economic Reform" By Yakov Feygin
The Hoover Institution invites you to attend a Book Talk: Building a Ruin: The Cold War Politics of Soviet Economic Reform with Yakov Feygin on … Annenberg Conference Room, George P. Shultz Building
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 10:00 AM PT
Young Black Man with I voted Sticker stock photo
Restoring Trust In American Elections: Challenges And Opportunities | Reimagining American Institutions
The fourth session discusses Restoring Trust in American Elections: Challenges and Opportunities with Benjamin Ginsberg, Justin Grimmer, and Brandice…
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Challenges Facing the US Economy
Challenges Facing The US Economy
The Hoover Prosperity Program will host Challenges Facing the US Economy on January 21, 2025. Hoover Institution, Stanford University
overlay image