Dr. Morris, the Director of the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University, is a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. Under her leadership, the AIPI has grown and diversified its service to Indian Country via an MOU formalizing a long-standing partnership with the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) and forming the Tribal Economic Leadership Program offering training in Tribal Economic Governance, Tribal Financial Management, Entrepreneurship via the Inno-Nations incubator, and Tribal Economic Development Consulting; and, the formalization of the Institute via by-laws and an advisory board comprised of both internal ASU leadership and external tribal and non-tribal leadership.
Morris’s research and publications on Native American media and the digital divide is focused on Internet use, digital inclusion, network neutrality, digital and new media curriculums, and development of broadband networks in Indian Country. Her book, “Native American Voices: A Reader,” continues to be a primary teaching tool in colleges throughout the country.
In her work at both ASU and prior, Morris has worked with Native American tribes; Tribal businesses; Native American non-profits; Native media makers, artists, and galleries; written multiple college-accredited curricula; and has advocated for digital inclusion in various capacities including at the Federal Communications Commission and on Capitol Hill.
Morris has an MA and PhD from the University of Arizona’s American Indian Studies, in addition to a BA in Liberal Arts from Colorado State University.
