The Lummi Nation, and the Port Gamble S’Klallam and Swinomish tribes each have programs that are semi-finalists in Harvard University’s Project on American Indian Economic Development’s Honoring Nations program.

The program is based on the principle that tribes hold the key to generating social, political, and economic prosperity, and that self-governance plays a crucial role in building and sustaining strong, healthy Indian nations.

Two of Lummi’s programs are semi-finalists being considered for the award: The Lummi Youth Academy and its Wetland and Habitat Mitigation Bank. The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Child Welfare Program and the Swinomish Climate Change Initiative are semi-finalists as well.

The 18 semi-finalists will all be presented to the Board of Governors, which will select six applicant programs to visit. In October, the Honoring Nations Board will select three programs as High Honors, receiving a $20,000 award, and as many as three programs as Honors, receiving $10,000.

For more information, visit the Honoring Nations website.