Harvard University Native American Program

We are so excited for this announcement!!!! Go Amy!!!

We’re excited to welcome Amy Besaw Medford (Brothertown) back to the Harvard Project as Senior Program Director! 🎉

Amy brings more than two decades of experience in Indigenous governance and development and previously served as Director of Honoring Nations. We’re thrilled to have her leadership, knowledge, and deep engagement with Indian Country guiding the work ahead.

Please join us in welcoming Amy back to the Harvard Project!

1 more sleep until powwow! See you tomorrow for 1PM Grand Entry at the McCurdy Outdoor Track! 🎉🎉

✨ Join us for the 2025 Harvard Powwow ✨

📅 Saturday, September 20th, 2025
📍 McCurdy Track (145 N Harvard St, Boston, MA 02134)
⏰ Grand Entry at 1:00 PM | Event ends at 5:30 PM

This year’s theme, Matriarchs Leading the Way, honors the visionary leadership of the women who have guided the Harvard University Native American Program and inspired Indigenous communities everywhere.

We are proud to celebrate our HUNAP Honorees:

🌿 Kelli Mosteller (2022–2024)
🌿 Shelly Lowe (2009–2021)
🌿 Carmen Lopez (2003–2008)
🌿 Eileen Egan (1992–2000)

Come enjoy a day of drumming, singing, dancing, food, and vendors. 🎶🍴✨

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome!



Photo credits:

Kelli Mosteller Headshot photographed by Erin Page.

Shelly Lowe Headshot photographed by Cheriss May, courtesy National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Eileen Egan Headshot photographed by Vito Alui.

Carmen Lopez Headshot photographed by Florence Low.

Shout out to the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development at Harvard Kennedy School.

The blanketing of Professor Joe Kalt, co-founder and director of the Harvard Project, took place over the weekend at the 🥁 26th Annual Harvard University Powwow. Prof. Kalt was recognized for a ⭐️ lifetime of service to Indian Country and for translating his "nerdy Economics professor" research findings into stories of transformative Native nation building. Join us in wishing Professor, mentor, and friend Joe Kalt a well-deserved congratulations.

1 DAY UNTIL POWWOW! 🎉

1 DAY UNTIL POWWOW! 🎉

2 DAYS UNTIL POWWOW! 👏

2 DAYS UNTIL POWWOW! 👏

3 Days to Powwow!!!! What to bring to Powwow?

3 DAYS UNTIL POWWOW! 🎉🐢

This year, our powwow theme is “In Our Powwow Era” as we honor the generations of Native community members at Harvard that have worked to plan powwows since the 1970s. The Harvard University Native American Program began hosting the annual powwow in the mid 1990s in collaboration with students. Before that, powwows were organized by students and the community semi-annually.

Harvard Powwows have been held in many locations across campus such as the HKS courtyard, Radcliffe Lawn, the Divinity School, Lesley University, and more. Some previous themes include: A New Hope, Honoring Our Women, Brilliance and Resilience, and Embracing the Dreamers.

Over the summer, the HUNAP team researched and found wonderful photos from previous powwows. As you scroll through the pictures, can you figure out what our powwow shirt will look like? 👀👕

Thank you to Urban Native Era for working with us to design an incredible shirt. We are excited to debut it on Saturday, the 28th. See you there!

This year, our powwow theme is “In Our Powwow Era” as we honor the generations of Native community members at Harvard that have worked to plan powwows since the 1970s. The Harvard University Native American Program began hosting the annual powwow in the mid 1990s in collaboration with students. Before that, powwows were organized by students and the community semi-annually. Harvard Powwows have been held in many locations across campus such as the HKS courtyard, Radcliffe Lawn, the Divinity School, Lesley University, and more. Some previous themes include: A New Hope, Honoring Our Women, Brilliance and Resilience, and Embracing the Dreamers. Over the summer, the HUNAP team researched and found wonderful photos from previous powwows. As you scroll through the pictures, can you figure out what our powwow shirt will look like? 👀👕 Thank you to Urban Native Era @urbannativeera for working with us to design an incredible shirt. We are excited to debut it on Saturday, the 28th. See you there! To volunteer, register using the link in our bio. 💫

4 Days until the Harvard Powwow! Are you ready?

4 DAYS UNTIL POWWOW! 📢

Countdown to Powwow Begins!

The Harvard Powwow countdown starts TODAY. 🎉

Natives at Harvard College, spent a wonderful weekend together at Harvard Forest.