A Student Reflection by Sarah Davis MPA/MBA 2025
On Feb. 27, 2025, the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership hosted a roundtable on advancing indigenous rights as part of their ongoing student-generated events series. The event was initially proposed by me and Nalini Agarwal MPP 2025, co-chairs of the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Caucus, stemming from an initial idea to bring greater discussion and visibility of indigenous rights and indigenous reconciliation to ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. We were lucky to be joined by two incredibly distinguished leaders in the field: Megan Minoka Hill, a first-generation descendant of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Senior Director of the Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, and Professor Megan Davis, a Cobble Cobble woman from Queensland, Australia and the Balnaves Chair in Constitutional Law at UNSW Sydney.
Nalini opened the discussion by highlighting the stark demographic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in both the U.S. and Australia and set the stage for a powerful exploration of the barriers to achieving sovereignty. The panel discussed the common misconceptions that prevent progress such as the ‘missing middle’ of metropolitan lower socio-economic indigenous populations that were being forgotten in many social policies.
The panel also discussed the lasting effects of history on modern legal frameworks underpinning indigenous rights in the United States and Australia. The panelists underscored how historical and legal factors have significantly impacted the pursuit of sovereignty in both countries. In the U.S., the legacy of treaties, despite their imperfections and historical violations, provides a framework for tribal sovereignty that Indigenous Australians simply don't have. Professor Davis advocated for the reframing of Indigenous peoples from a race-based grouping to cultural polities in their own right.
The discussion about the role of public education in boosting support for Indigenous issues resonated deeply. The panelists emphasized the need to change the narrative and conversation around Indigenous history and culture, moving beyond stereotypes and misconceptions. Minoka Hill emphasized the need to reframe conversations on Indigenous advancement from a zero-sum mindset to one which recognizes that Indigenous advancement has enormous economic and social benefits for the entire community. We explored ways to equip the next generation of leaders with a better understanding of Indigenous issues, encouraging the audience to become active allies. I left the conversation feeling deeply reflective on my own biases and how I can play a role in encouraging engagement in more productive conversations about these challenges.
In the wake of Australia’s defeat of The Indigenous Voice to Parliament national referendum and increasing political polarization in the United States, both panelists were asked what can be done to achieve Indigenous reconciliation without polarization. In looking forward, the panelists offered promising pathways for achieving full self-governance and sovereignty for Indigenous peoples, including constitutional recognition in the case of Australia. They challenged us to think creatively about how to overcome the remaining barriers and ensure that Indigenous communities have the opportunity to thrive on their own terms. It was clear from the discussion that, despite the challenges, there remains a strong sense of hope and determination within Indigenous communities in Australia and the United States to achieve full self-governance and political representation.
We felt deeply privileged to learn from the academic expertise and lived experience of Minoka Hill and Professor Davis on this panel. The event reinforced the need for ongoing dialogue, research, and advocacy in the pursuit of justice and equality for Indigenous peoples around the world. It challenged my own assumptions and biases, and inspired me to become a more informed and effective advocate for Indigenous rights. It's my hope that those who attended the roundtable left with a similar sense of purpose and commitment. The work of building a more just and equitable future for Indigenous communities is far from over, and it requires the active participation of all of us, no matter what country we come from.