Michelle Hale

Michelle Hale is a Teaching Professor in the Department of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University (ASU). She holds affiliations with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability as a Senior Sustainability Scholar and serves as Honors Faculty for Barrett, The Honors College. Her research focuses on tribal governance, state-tribal relations, and Navajo community development. Hale teaches courses on federal Indian policy, reservation economic development, and tribal planning.

• Education: Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in American Indian Studies/Cultural Anthropology from the University of Arizona
• Affiliations: ASU University Senate, College Senate for Liberal Arts and Sciences, and multiple national Indigenous studies associations

Research Interests: Hale’s work bridges policy and practice, emphasizing culturally grounded approaches to planning and development. Her upcoming book, Doing for Themselves: Navajo Community Development Through Localized Decision-Making, advocates for Indigenous-led planning frameworks. Recent publications explore state-tribal partnerships and Navajo women’s roles in grassroots activism.

Grants & Service: Coordinates student internships and mentors honors research projects. Serves on boards for Native American Connections and Cook Native American Ministries Foundation. Actively involved in curriculum development for American Indian Studies programs.