Thomas Klemm, a Political Science Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan, has been awarded funding from the APSA Advancing Research Grants for Indigenous Politics to research the political economy of Native assimilation policies and their impacts on Indian Country today. Specifically, his dissertation focuses on how capitalism influences Post-Indian wars Federal Indian policy and the use of liberal humanitarian justifications, such as allotment policy, which led to massive land loss and cultural genocide through American Indian Boarding schools. As an enrolled member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and Turtle Clan, Thomas’s work is inspired by his family members who were survivors of the Indian boarding school era in the 20th century.
The APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grants have awarded funding to ten projects for a total of $20,000 in December 2023. These grants aim to promote diversity and inclusion in research and support studies that address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities. The funded projects cover a range of topics related to Indigenous politics, with a focus on advancing understanding and knowledge in this area.
By supporting research that examines the political issues affecting Indigenous communities, the APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grants aim to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive field of political science. The grants are intended for researchers who are committed to advancing knowledge about Indigenous politics and contributing to meaningful change within these communities.
