Harvard University Native American Program

Mission

The Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP) is an Interfaculty Initiative. The HUNAP Community is comprised of individuals interested in the academic, historical, and cultural study and celebration of Native American Nations and communities. HUNAP aims to do this work through academic programming, community events, travel and research grants, and diplomacy efforts.

hunap turtle drum
women dancing at a powwow

 

 

 

Date: Saturday September 20th, 2025
Theme: Matriarchs Leading the Way
Time: Grand Entry is at 1:00 pm (event ends at 5:30 pm)
Location: McCurdy Track (145 N Harvard St, Boston, MA 02134)

This year’s Harvard Powwow theme honors the prominent matriarchs whose vision, leadership, and resilience have shaped not only the Harvard University Native American Program, but Indigenous communities everywhere. We recognize their contributions and celebrate the strength they continue to inspire across generations.

Please join us for drumming, singing, dancing, vendors, and food. 

This event is free and open to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A flyer for a Harvard Kennedy School Fall 2025 course titled Native Americans in the 21st Century: Nation Building I. Professors Randall Akee and Miriam Jorgensen are listed at the top left. The flyer background shows colorful bundles of dried corn against a stone wall. The course meets Wednesdays from 4:30–7:30 pm at Starr Auditorium (Belfer, Kennedy School).

This course examines the challenges that contemporary Native American tribes and nations face as they work to rebuild their communities, strengthen their cultures, and support their citizens. Students will engage in case studies and simulations based on real-world fieldwork and community experience.

The class also features presentations from prominent Indigenous leaders and scholars who bring firsthand perspectives on the choices and challenges Native nations navigate today.

Course Syllabus

Who Can Enroll?- Harvard Kennedy School students
- Graduate students across Harvard (via cross-registration)
- Harvard College Students (upperclassmen only)

🗓 LIVE Virtual Shopping Session

Wednesday, Sept 3 | 11:30–11:55 a.m. ET
 

Course Syllabus

Upcoming Events

HUNAP Social Media

Fall 2025 Indigenous Focused Courses

Check out our course page for a list of Fall 2025 courses that are taught by members of HUNAP’s faculty board and courses that cover Indigenous topics as their primary focus.

Fellowships, Scholarships and Grants

HUNAP Fellowships and Grants

HUNAP provides support to Harvard students to conduct research on Native American and Indigenous issues, for professional development activities, and for conference attendance.

HUNAP Indigenous Health Seminar Series

The HUNAP Indigenous Health & Well-Being Colloquium is a series of lectures and discussions highlighting the latest research and policies related to Native and Indigenous health issues. This seminar was established by HUNAP Faculty Director Joseph P. Gone and is co-sponsored by the Harvard Medical School Department of Global Health & Social Medicine. See recordings of all past events from this series here

Most Recent Event:

Professor Teresa LaFromboise - The Potential for School as Sacred Spaces in American Indian/AK Native Adolescent Suicide Prevention. Recorded October 26, 2023