Ep. 19 | Traci Morris

We're just six days from the Reservation Economic Summit, and that means back-to-back episodes of the Native Edge podcast. Special guest host Nicole Watson steps in for Yvette for a great conversation with Dr. Traci Morris, Executive Director of the Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty, located within the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

Dr. Morris discusses her career path, starting out as a hairdresser and ultimately completing three degrees and becoming a go-to expert on all things related to tribal broadband, including writing a book on the subject that is expected to be released later this year. Dr. Morris will be speaking about tribal broadband as a foundation for economic development on a RES panel on Tuesday, March 11.

In addition, the Spring 2025 cohort of the Indigenous Leadership Academy will be presenting their business pitches at RES on Monday, March 10. RES attendees are welcomed to attend the ILA meeting.

Enjoy this engaging conversation - and see you next week at RES!

Traci L. Morris, PhD |
https://aipi.asu.edu/traci-l-morris-phd

American Indian Policy Institute/Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty  |
https://aipi.asu.edu/ctds

The Indigenous Leadership Academy |
https://aipi.asu.edu/ila

Chapters

• 0:30 Intro + Welcoming Nicole Watson
• 3:56 Dr. Traci Morris
• 6:30 Starting out as a Hairdresser
• 9:56 Dr. Morris's College Journey
• 12:15 Choosing Your Own Path
• 13:53 Burnout Leads to Figuring out the Future
• 18:14 Developing a Consulting Company
• 25:21 Understanding Community Needs
• 29:22 Resiliency and Family Influence
• 30:39 Finding a Niche in Tribal Broadband
• 38:03 Going Beyond Broadband
• 39:14 Launching the Center for Tribal Digital Sovereignty
• 41:23 Wiring the Rez
• 44:27 The Indigenous Leadership Academy
• 53:08 Adjusting to a Changing Policy Landscape
• 59:58 Wrap Up