Native Nation Building

While it is difficult to think about the future in these trying times, tribes have the opportunity to emerge stronger after the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, in dealing with the crisis, many more Native nations will have recognized the importance of developing their own public health laws and policies, protecting tribal citizens and reservation residents according to tribal values and priorities. In fact, many tribes have already enacted such laws, and many others are beginning to do so as they govern through the COVID-19 crisis.

This process is an essential part of Native nation rebuilding. Tribes that are effective nation rebuilders back up the exercise of self-determination with capable governing institutions. They ask, “What systems and policies help our nation accomplish its collective goals?" They recognize that a tribe’s laws provide a distinctive opportunity for the nation to answer the question, “What kind of community are we trying to build?" Research indicates that Native nations that can effectively focus on such long-term questions are better able to achieve the outcomes they desire.

In this section of the toolbox, we emphasize the innovative, self-determined ways Native nations are working to strengthen tribal public health laws and protocols to benefit tribal citizens, reservation residents (both human and non-human), and the environment.