Project Title: Blood and Soil Liberalism: The Political Economy of Native American Assimilation Policy
Thomas Klemm, University of Michigan
Thomas Klemm is a Political Science Phd candidate (ABD) at the University of Michigan. His dissertation is looking at the political economy of Native assimilation policies, as well as their legacies in Indian Country today. Specifically, he is looking both at the ways in which capitalism often shapes the contours of Post-Indian wars Federal Indian policy, as well as how liberal humanitarian justifications, such as the introduction of liberal forms of private property ownership via allotment policy, have been made in service of policies that caused massive tribally held land loss and cultural genocide via American Indian Boarding schools. Thomas is an enrolled member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and is Turtle Clan. His work is inspired by being a descendant of multiple family members who were survivors of the Indian boarding school era in the 20th century.
About the APSA Advancing Research Grants for Indigenous Politics Recipients
The APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grants provide support for research that examines political science phenomena affecting historically underserved communities and underrepresented groups and communities. In December 2023, APSA awarded ten projects for the APSA Diversity and Inclusion Advancing Research Grants for Indigenous Politics for a combined amount of $20,000.