Mercer Times

Every morning at sunrise, New Mexico State University student Brad Louis pays tribute to his home, the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico, the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America.

In a daily ritual practiced by many of Acoma’s citizens, "we get to give thanks to the sun and Creator for giving us life and opportunities to grow and learn," says the incoming first-year student.

This summer, Louis was one of 16 scholars selected by teachers and community leaders to attend the Santa Fe Indian School Leadership Institute’s annual Summer Policy Academy, held on the Princeton campus. Here, visiting high school students and recent graduates study how government policies affect tribal communities.

This year’s students represented the Navajo Nation and six Pueblo Nations in New Mexico.

Working in a small group led by academy faculty mentor Rebecca Rae (Jicarilla Apache) of the University of New Mexico College of Population Health, Louis developed a policy proposal to coordinate services for hospitals, public transportation, and other critical infrastructure within the Acoma Pueblo and nearby communities. His proposal suggested that these could better serve residents using an interconnected community services model aligned with a more holistic Indigenous approach to governance.

Regis Pecos (Cochiti Pueblo), a Class of 1977 Princeton alumnus and former University trustee, co-founded and co-directs the Santa Fe Indian School’s Leadership Institute. The summer academy at Princeton is part of a broader three-year curriculum that helps Indigenous students become "architects and authors of policy," he said.

Louis and other Summer Policy Academy fellows studied at Princeton from June 8 to 14 before spending a week in Washington, D.C., where they presented their findings to senators, members of Congress, and stakeholders.

Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) has hosted the academy 18 times since its inception in 2008 with support from Princeton's Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity. More than 300 students have attended.

The goal is to develop promising scholars who can be "new architects and authors of policy,” according to Pecos.

Student fellows at Summer Policy Academy participate in policy discussions, consider case studies, attend lectures by Native leaders and subject matter experts. They then break into teams to research policy issues and develop proposals.

In addition to Rae’s community planning group this year’s cohort worked on proposals targeting health care led by Dr. Kristyn Yepa (Jemez Pueblo) from James Bell Associates; education led by Preston Sanchez (Jemez Pueblo/Navajo) from the ACLU of New Mexico; justice system reforms led by attorney Casey Douma (Laguna Pueblo/Hopi-Tewa).

The summer academy at Princeton is part of a broader three-year Leadership Institute curriculum administered by the Santa Fe Indian School.

"At Princeton we share the Leadership Institute's aspirations," said Shawn Maxam, Princeton's associate provost for institutional diversity and inclusion. The University continues expanding its engagement with Native American communities through Indigenous scholarship partnerships outreach historical recognitions partnerships outreach historical recognitions partnerships outreach historical recognitions partnerships outreach historical recognitions

On-campus partners include NAISIP PAIISWG Natives at Princeton Effron Center for America which houses both NAISIP PAIISWG In March Kēhaulani Kauanui Kanaka Maoli inaugural Eric Wendy Schmidt Professor Indigenous Studies Anthropology Effron Center endowed professorship advance interdisciplinary studies Indigenous communities departments

Students focused research proposals around “most desirable future” conceptualized posters first step developing policy proposals present senators Congress stakeholders Washington DC

Elizabeth Ellis Peoria Tribe Oklahoma associate professor history among featured speakers specializes Native American early American history She told students her pursuit historian underscore data collected outside observers misrepresented people leading poor decisions replicating bad understandings needs real needs encouraging turn tide

Throughout week central theme “most desirable future” Mara Kahn Navajo/Pima-Maricopa incoming first-year Arizona State member Rae’s group worked recommending additional federal funding Native health centers deeper understanding process valued opportunity study “learn more world continue expanding knowledge help our people"

In Washington fellows presented Department Interior Senate Committee outlining ranging public school curriculum inclusive culture language innovative leases supporting agriculture met Secretary Deb Haaland Laguna Senators Ben Ray Luján Martin Heinrich Kevin Gover Class Pawnee Smithsonian Under Secretary Museums Culture Jennifer Romero Monaco '97 Santa Clara Democratic staff director chief counsel Senate Cynthia Chavez Lamar San Felipe director National Museum showcase people tribal shape dialogue locally nationally

Douma faculty member inception realized value bringing perspectives decisions experience important voice contributing discussions best interest important part Previous SlideNext Slide Laila Romero Jemez/Cochiti other met participants Junior another hosted SPIA Matthew Raspanti Communications Student fellows study leaders voices values policymaking Pecos closing reflection completed studies