HEEF Awarded High Honors from Harvard Kennedy School of Government

On October 4th, 2006, Harvard's Honoring Contributions in the Governance of American Indian Nations (Honoring Nations) awards program selected the Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) as a recipient of High Honors. In its sixth year of honoring tribal nations, the Honoring Nations program identifies, celebrates, and shares exemplary tribal governance programs among the 560+ Indian nations in the U.S. As a recipient of "High Honors" the HEEF was not only recognized as one of the top seven programs in Indian Country, but also received a $10,000 award.

As one of fourteen finalists chosen from among 86 organizations representing more than 60 tribal nations. The final honorees were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, and based upon evaluations in the areas of effectiveness, significance to sovereignty, cultural relevance, transferability, and sustainability, seven were chosen to receive "Honors" along with $2,000, and the remaining seven were chosen to receive "High Honors". As part of the final phase, the HEEF staff and Board members Dr. Willard Gilbert, Loris Taylor, Lynelle Hartway, and Christine Gilbert traveled to Sacramento, CA for a final evaluation, which included a public presentation and questions from the Honoring Nations Board of Governors. HEEF Executive Director LuAnn Leonard stated, "The application process for the Harvard Honoring Nations award was rigorous as we competed against the best programs in Indian Country. Through a team effort we were successful in sharing our story and the importance of the fund to the future of the Hopi people." In addition to HEEF staff and board members, Hopi Tribal Council members Nada Talayumptewa and Cedric Kuwaninvaya, as well as former Hopi Tribal Chairman, Wayne Taylor, Jr., were in attendance to support the Hopi team as well as share in the celebration of the "High Honors" award for the HEEF, and "Honors" award received by the Hopi Child Care Program.

Amy Besaw, director of the Honoring Nations noted, "Tribes are solving complex governmental issues in meaningful ways. Their work is inspiring, and each holds examples for other governments to learn from." As an award recipient the HEEF joins 92 other initiatives and can be looked to and serve as a model for other tribes. HEEF Vice President Loris Taylor stated, "This honor signifies the importance of the Fund not only to the Hopi people but to other Native Nations as well. We've demonstrated that our successful model in determining our own educational destiny can be replicated by others."

At the awards ceremony, Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Indian Nation and chairman of the Honoring Nations Board of Governors, said, "The world is changing quickly and in major ways. The Native nations we are honoring are teaching us all how to succeed and lay the foundation for seven generations to come." LuAnn Leonard echoed these statements as she said that the receipt of High Honors not only reflects the dedicated work of the HEEF Staff and Board, but also the Hopi Tribal Council and the Hopi people in general. She stated,"Many event participants were impressed with how the HEEF is engaging both Hopi and non-Hopi donors in philanthropy as well as the incorporation of Hopi values and concepts in our work."

Based at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, Honoring Nations is administered by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. The Harvard Project's goal is to understand the conditions under which self-determined social and economic development is achieved among American Indian nations. Honoring Nations is funded by the Ford Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and private donors.

For more information about Honoring Nations, visit the Harvard Project's web site at http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/hpaied/

2006 "High Honors" and "Honors" Award Recipients
* denotes "High Honors"
*Alternative Sentencing Program: Tulalip Tribal Court, The Tulalip Tribes
Bad River Recycling Solid Waste Department: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Band of Chippewa
*Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation: Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Cultural Education & Revitalization Program: Makah Cultural and Research Center, Makah Nation
Homeownership: Financial, Credit & Consumer Protection Program
Umatilla Reservation Housing Authority, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
The Hopi Child Care Program: The Hopi Tribe
*Hopi Education Endowment Fund: The Hopi Tribe
Indian Child Welfare Services: Department of Indian Child Welfare Services, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
*Morongo Tutoring Program: Social Services Department, Morongo Band of Mission Indians
*Navajo Methamphetamine Task Forces: Navajo Department of Behavioral Services, Navajo Nation
*Red Lake Walleye Recovery Program: Red Lake Department of Natural Resources, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
Task Force on Violence Against Women: National Coalition of Native Nations and Organizations Affiliated Through the National Congress of American Indians
*Tribal Land Title & Records Office: Housing Department, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
Winnebago Community Development Fund: Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska