Mission

Transdisciplinary

The American Indian Policy Institute is committed to transforming American Indian policy analysis using a trans-disciplinary approach. There are few substantive policy issues in Indian Country that can be adequately addressed by uni-dimensional approaches. In the past, one of the short-comings of policy work affecting tribes has been narrowly conceived assessments of issues. As a trans-disciplinary organization, the Policy Institute collaborates with other departments and centers at ASU as well as with organizations outside of ASU on its projects and initiatives. One of the major benefits the Policy Institute brings to research projects is the ability to organize a team of experts drawn from the vast expertise within Arizona State University.

Tribally-Driven

The American Indian Policy Institute is fully committed to tribally-driven participatory research in which tribal governments identify their own research needs and seek out collaborations with the university. As part of tribally-driven participatory research, the Policy Institute responds to tribal research direction and empowers Tribal Nations, tribal communities and American Indian students through projects that support self-determination and build tribal capacity.