Nation Building Toolboxes are online, mixed media, learning tools which can assist in meeting the needs of Indigenous leaders and decision makers. Assembled from the real-world experiences of hundreds of Native nations, the toolboxes serve as a central resource of information on how to implement and sustain best practices in community self-governance. They are hosted and curated by the Native Nations Institute (NNI) at the University of Arizona and the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development (Harvard Project) at Harvard University, and feature contributions of partners with valuable knowledge to share. 

The self-guided toolboxes enable Nation Builders to explore, develop and manage their understanding of key functions of tribal, First Nation, and other Indigenous governance structures and strategies.  The Toolboxes provide Nation Builders with learning activities and resources they can use to assist Indigenous communities in their drive for self-determination. The content is supplemented with case studies, lessons learned, and first-hand explanations by fellow decision makers who have tackled the challenges of strengthening their own communities.  

We can’t tell you what will work for your community, but we do hope that having access through these toolboxes to the lessons from, and experiences of, other Native nations will provide you with ideas and useable starting points as you tackle your own community’s needs.

A Nation Building Toolbox is a collection of some of our most-used tools, examples, and lessons. Elected officials, managers, decision makers and others in leadership positions can build their own toolboxes by selecting components that might work in their own communities.  

These resources are free for you to use and share—and we hope you do.

When we say "build your own," what we really mean is take whatever you like from our toolboxes and creatively build what you need in your journey of teaching, sharing, and/or building your community’s capacities for self-determined, self-governed progress.  Here you will find a vast selection of reports, demonstrations, videos, maps, and research. Each community has its own history, culture, values, needs and concerns.  What worked for one Native nation may not work for another.  So, take whatever you think you need from the raw materials in these toolboxes. 

Learn more about how to Build Your Own Toolbox here.

Nation Building Toolboxes are a shared effort to create and disseminate concrete and usable knowledge, strategies, and approaches to the building of the capacities for self-determination and self-governance by Indigenous communities.  Do you have a manual, a guide, a how-to video, or other useful materials that you would like to make available to leaders and decision makers?  If so, we hope you will consider using these Toolboxes as a platform for reaching out to those who can benefit from your work. 

If you would like to discuss a potential contribution, contact indigenousgov@hks.harvard.edu.