Thomas Klemm, a Political Science Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan, is conducting research on the political economy of Native American assimilation policies and their implications in present-day Indian Country. As a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Thomas draws inspiration from his ancestors who survived the Indian boarding school era in the 20th century. His dissertation focuses on how capitalism influences post-Indian wars Federal Indian policy and how liberal humanitarian justifications, like the introduction of private property ownership through allotment policy, have led to significant land loss and cultural genocide in American Indian Boarding schools.
Thomas’s work has been recognized by the APSA Advancing Research Grants for Indigenous Politics program, which awarded him funding to support his research on this topic. The program aims to promote research that addresses political science phenomena impacting historically underserved and underrepresented communities. In December 2023, ten projects were selected for the APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grants for Indigenous Politics, with a total grant amount of $20,000. These grants aim to promote research that sheds light on the experiences and challenges faced by Indigenous communities. You can learn more about the funded projects on the APSA website.
Thomas’s research is particularly important because it highlights how assimilation policies have had lasting negative impacts on Native American communities. His findings will contribute to our understanding of how these policies continue to shape Indian Country today and inform future policymaking efforts aimed at addressing these issues.
The APSA Advancing Research Grants for Indigenous Politics program recognizes that historically marginalized communities often face unique challenges when conducting research due to lack of resources and representation within academia. By providing funding opportunities like these, the program aims to level the playing field and empower researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue their work.
In addition to Thomas Klemm’s project, other recipients of this grant include researchers studying topics such as Indigenous environmental justice movements, indigenous women’s rights activism in Latin America, and Indigenous representation in U.S Congress.
Overall, these grants represent an important step towards promoting diversity and inclusion within political science research by providing funding opportunities for scholars from historically marginalized communities. By supporting this work, we can better understand and address some of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous communities today.
