Harris, Laura

“Laura Harris was born in Lawton, Oklahoma to Fred and LaDonna Harris in 1961.  She is an enrolled citizen of the Comanche Nation and is active in Comanche culture and politics.  Harris received a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Native American Studies and a Minor in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1984.  Harris attended the Cuauhnahauc Instituto of Spanish Language and Mexican Culture.  She has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and is nearly fluent in Spanish.”Laura Harris was born in Lawton, Oklahoma to Fred and LaDonna Harris in 1961.  She is an enrolled citizen of the Comanche Nation and is active in Comanche culture and politics.  Harris received a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Native American Studies and a Minor in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1984.  Harris attended the Cuauhnahauc Instituto of Spanish Language and Mexican Culture.  She has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and is nearly fluent in Spanish.

Harris has dedicated most of her life to Indigenous issues and causes.  While in school, she was an intern with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes and the National Indian Policy Review Commission.  For nearly twenty years she has devoted her time to her passion, Americans for Indian Opportunity, where she held the position of Projects Director and then Executive Vice President. In 2002, Harris was promoted to Executive Director after helping to secure a $3 million endowment for the future development of Native American leaders.  She directs the Ambassadors Program, an Indigenous values-based leadership development initiative.” – Land Peace Foundation

Episode: The Comanches and New Mexico