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Demographics on American Indians & Alaska Natives

Who Is An Indian?

Read more about Digital Divide

Despite a lack of access, higher prices for broadband and often non-existent infrastructure, leaders in some Tribal communities have developed a vision and built self-sufficient networks and community technology centers to connect and strengthen their communities. Indian Country is finding a myriad of ways to cross the Digital Divide.

Our vision

About

What we do

The American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI), a college-level unit within ASU’s Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, focuses on building strong ties to Indigenous urban and rural governments and communities through emerging trends and tribally driven innovative democratic practices. Recognizing the tremendous potential of AIPI in working with tribal communities to develop tribally driven solutions for a broad range of issues facing Indian Country today, Dr. Morris expanded the vision of AIPI to that of a national-level think-tank institute inclusive of a community advisory board that includes tribal leaders and meets regularly.

Our focus areas

Tribal Digital Sovereignty

Indigenous Leadership

Expertise

AIPI’s expertise and focus is substantively on broadband technology and tribal digital sovereignty, with expertise in tribal telecommunications, communications policy, and newly emerging systems as they impact sovereign Tribal nations.

We support Tribal sovereignty through examination, exploration, and elevation of issues impacting communities and American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.

The American Indian Policy Institute is a research institute at Arizona State University dedicated to supporting Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities across the nation. Our work involves conducting academic research on critical issues facing Indian Country and analyzing and developing policy solutions for these challenges. Additionally, we engage in capacity-building programs that emphasize lifelong learning within this ecosystem.

AIPI is firmly committed to advancing initiatives that support Indian Country, concentrating on sovereignty and community engagement. Our focus on research and governance is aimed at empowering tribal communities and leaders to identify effective solutions. AIPI aspires to play a pivotal role in developing innovative strategies that contribute positively to the landscape of Indian Country.

We aim to lead discussions on American Indian policy to improve our local impact and strengthen our commitment to serving Native Nations. Through progressive policy analysis, research, and innovative capacity-building programs, we seek to elevate the status of Tribal Nations within local, regional, national, and global communities. Our goal is to foster a dynamic dialogue using various communications methods.

We are leading the discourse on tribally-driven, informed policy-making by:

Contact

American Indian Policy Institute

MC 9520

Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Arizona State University

111 East Taylor St.

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Email: [email protected] (non-responding email)
Or contact: Dr. Morris at [email protected]

Donate

Your gift to the American Indian Policy Institute at ASU will support a unified, systematic approach to these multi-faceted issues and develop practical solutions with Native communities.

Donate

Your financial contribution is tax-deductible, and will be processed by the ASU Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Arizona State University.

Please send a check or money order payable to the ASU Foundation or use your credit card and call in your gift over the phone.

Contact Information:
ASU Fulton Center
300 E. University Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281-2033
Phone: 480-965-3759
Fax: 480-965-2484

Mailing Address:
ASU Foundation
P.O. Box 2260
Tempe, Arizona 85280-2260

Contact the executive director today for more information about how to support the American Indian Policy Institute

Contact:
Traci Morris, Executive Director
American Indian Policy Institute, ASU

Read more about AIPI Policy Brief: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – Broadband Analysis

On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, the Senate passed H.R. 3684. This historic legislation includes an extraordinary investment in Indian Country infrastructure and is the latest in a series of momentous legislation affecting Native communities. The CARES Act, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided significant investments into Indian Country to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. H.R. 3684 continues in such a direction by maintaining focus on existing adversities that circumstances brought on by the pandemic has magnified.

Read more about AIPI Policy Brief: Tribal Broadband Funding Opportunity Update

Key federal legislation over the last two years created many funding opportunities for Tribes to expand broadband access in their communities. This list of funding programs has an estimated $15.2 billion 1 available to Tribes for broadband projects, however much of the same funding is meant for other significant needs like COVID-19 mitigation. Some programs also consider Tribes as one eligible entity among many with no guarantee that Tribes will be awarded. Therefore it is difficult to say how much of the funding available for broadband will ultimately be used for that purpose.

Read more about Tribal Broadband Policy Priorities 2022

Tribal Nations have been at the forefront of connecting their communities to broadband internet because carriers often do not choose to service remote Tribal areas. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated digital inequities facing Indian Country that have long existed. Broadband is infrastructure and is an essential service with its importance of accessibility similar to other necessary resources such as water or electricity.

Broadband resources

Tribal Broadband

Information

Funding

Updated monthly

See what broadband funding is available.

View dashboard

Downloadable PDF

Research

Get Involved

Indigenous Leadership Academy

Indigenous Leadership Academy: Empowering Indigenous Leaders. Advancing Sovereignty. Inspiring Changes.

The Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) is a groundbreaking and nationally recognized leadership development program dedicated to cultivating Indigenous change-makers through a curriculum rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, being and leading.

Grounded in culturally responsive approaches, ILA honors traditional leadership values while preparing participants to meet the complex challenges facing Tribal Nations today. The program centers on community-driven learning, dialogue, and relationship-building that empowers emerging leaders to lead with integrity, accountability and cultural strength.

What sets ILA apart is its proven impact. Since launching in January 2022, ILA has maintained an impressive 92% completion rate and an average acceptance rate of just 51%, reflecting a selective yet deeply supportive program designed for success. This outstanding achievement is a direct result of ILA’s commitment to Indigenous-centered education that values collective growth, community connection and self-determination.

From Arizona to Alaska, ILA continues to expand its reach and reputation as a model for Indigenous leadership education.

Since its founding, ILA has built a powerful network of Indigenous leaders:

196 participants
Representing 94 Tribal Nations
Across 31 states and Washington, D.C.
50% of participants from Arizona

ILA is proudly sponsored by the National Congress of American Indians, Tufts University, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the Burton Family Foundation, and Arizona Public Service (APS). Together, these partners help ensure that ILA continues to advance Indigenous-led leadership, innovation, and sovereignty across Indian Country and Tribal communities.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that despite evolving legal interpretations of education policies, programs designed to support Tribal students remain legally protected under the U.S. Trust Responsibility to Tribal Nations. These programs are rooted in Tribal sovereignty, treaty obligations, and federal law, not racial classification. Universities and state governments play a critical role in ensuring that American Indian/Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian students receive the educational support promised through centuries of federal commitments.

Through this innovative program, ASU demonstrates how public universities actively fulfill their share of the trust responsibility through collaboration, consultation, and sustained investment in Native communities. Understanding and upholding these responsibilities is essential for university leaders, educators, and policymakers to ensure that American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students continue to access the educational opportunities promised to them under centuries of federal commitments.

Cohort 10: Stewardship, Sustainability and Leadership

FAQ

Eligibility Criteria

ILA is designed for working professionals who are ready to grow as leaders and drive change. This program is not currently accepting student applications.

Minimum Requirements

Age 21+ and committed to attending all 10 modules (Jan–Mar 2026)
Reliable internet access for virtual sessions
Interest in Indigenous leadership and Tribal energy development
Understanding of Tribal sovereignty and governance
A community-impact project idea related to energy sovereignty, climate resilience, or sustainability
Willingness to collaborate, share, and learn with peers
Must have a LinkedIn profile or be willing to create one for networking with fellow cohort members
Students are not eligible to apply at this time

Preferred:

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, or 3–5 years of professional experience in Tribal governance, energy, or environmental work

Program Cost

$2,650 total for the 10-week program
Scholarships available — All applicants are automatically considered

Certification & Outcome

Upon successful completion, participants will receive an official Arizona State University (ASU) digital certification in Indigenous Leadership

What our participants learn

Meet our cohorts

Engagement

What we do

The AIPI is committed to serving communities through innovative capacity-building initiatives. We collaborate with various partners both within and outside of ASU to support Indian Country. Our contributions include providing professional development training opportunities for tribal leaders, government staff, tribal members, tribal students, and individuals or entities working with tribal governments. Our goal is to support the long-term economic sustainability of Tribal nations and their governments.

Indigenous Leadership Academy

AIPI is dedicated to cultivating emerging leaders to benefit Tribal Nations and communities. Feedback from both program participants and Tribal leaders affirms AIPI’s view that the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) is not merely a local initiative; it is a national program for leadership development. AIPI has successfully hosted seven cohorts so far, with two additional cohorts already launched for the Fall of 2025. Watch for the Spring 2026 announcement coming in November.

Participants consistently report that one of the most valuable skills they gain is increased confidence in presenting their ideas in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous settings. The tools provided at the ILA help establish a foundation for participants to serve as community advocates, enabling them to implement projects that utilize Indigenous knowledge and techniques derived from cultural frameworks that prioritize connectedness and sustainability.

Learn more

Read more about ILA Alumni: Where are they now? EJ John

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