Meriam Centennial Initiative
In 1928, Lewis Meriam and his research team documented the devastating effects of U.S. policy on Native peoples. Their findings, published in The Problem of Indian Administration, better known as the Meriam Report, revealed the truth of land dispossession, poverty, and the trauma of boarding schools. (Read story here)
Nearly a century later, many of these harms endure, some worsened by government involvement. The Meriam Centennial Initiative marks this 100-year milestone by enhancing the power of Native voices and imagining how Tribes can walk a bold path, together, into the future.
Through this initiative, Native-led researchers are revisiting the Meriam Report for the 21st century—examining new topics, updated data, and modern policy challenges—to produce a report that reflects the lived realities, priorities, and expertise of Native communities.
What was the original Meriam Report?
The Meriam Report was a groundbreaking study of Native American life in the United States. Commissioned by the U.S. government and led by Lewis Meriam, it exposed widespread poverty, inadequate education, poor health care, and the harmful effects of federal policies like forced assimilation and boarding schools.
It criticized U.S. treatment of Native peoples and called for major reforms, laying the groundwork for improvements in Native rights and living conditions.
Read the original – The Meriam Report: The Problem of Indian Administration here.
Who wrote it?
The report was authored by Lewis Meriam and a team from the Institute for Government Research (later part of the Brookings Institution). Commissioned by the U.S. Department of the Interior, they conducted a nationwide study of Native conditions that became the influential 1928 report.
About the Initiative
Our Mission
To develop a Native-led policy agenda that uplifts Tribal Sovereignty and builds the next century of trust and partnership between Tribal Nations and the United States.
Goals
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Strengthen Sovereignty: Advance bold reforms and effective Tribal governance.
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Inform Solutions: Deliver research that drives Native wellbeing.
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Unite Leaders: Build partnerships to spark systemic change.
Core Themes
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Rewrite the Narrative: Center Native voices to tell the truth of history and define the future.
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Reassert Sovereignty: Uphold Tribal authority across all systems.
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Restore Land, Culture, and Trust: Heal what was broken through truth, return, and renewal.
What’s Ahead
In 2028, the Initiative will publish the Meriam Centennial Report—a comprehensive, Native-authored roadmap for change.
2025: Listening to Indian Country: shaping priorities.
2026: Writing the next chapter: Native-led research.
2027: Building momentum: partners, policy, and voice.
2028: Delivering the Meriam Centennial Report: a roadmap for change.
How to Engage
Your perspective matters.
We invite Tribal leaders, Native scholars, policymakers, and allies to join this effort.
- Participate in dialogues and listening sessions
- Share priorities from your Nation or community
- Partner on research, advocacy, and policy reform
- Help fund this project and amplify resources
Contact: Peter DeCarlo | Director of Mission Delivery: Programs and Grantmaking | pdecarlo@iltf.org
Learn more: Read Full Concept Note
A century after the original Meriam Report, the path forward must be written by Native voices.
