Megan Minoka Hill Named Director of Native Self-Determination Program

Megan Minoka Hill, Oneida, has advanced Indigenous self-determination across philanthropy, government, and community-based organizations.

Megan Minoka Hill, Oneida, will serve as MacArthur’s Director of Native Self-Determination beginning February 3, 2026. Hill has 20 years of experience advancing Indigenous self-determination across philanthropy, government, and community-based organizations. She brings expertise in program design, grantmaking, and cross-sector collaboration to support the priorities of Native Peoples.

As Director, Hill will lead the development and implementation of the strategy for our new program on Native Self-Determination. The program aims to increase resources and deepen relationships in ways that reflect mutual respect and long-term partnership, while building on our past support for Native and Indigenous communities.

The program will expand our commitment to Indigenous Peoples by increasing financial support; listening, building stronger relationships, and working in ways that reflect the leadership and values of Indigenous Peoples; and being in community with other funders so we can learn from their experiences and share our lessons.

“Hill brings deep expertise and experience... in collaborating with Native leaders and communities to build lasting impact”

“Hill brings deep expertise and experience not only on issues impacting Indigenous Peoples today, but also in collaborating with Native leaders and communities to build lasting impact,” said MacArthur President John Palfrey. “We are grateful to have her join MacArthur as we seek to listen, build stronger relationships, and work in news ways.”

Prior to joining MacArthur, Hill was the Senior Director of the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development. The Harvard Project is grounded in the principle that Native nations thrive when they are empowered to make their own decisions, shape their own futures, and govern in ways that reflect their values, cultures, and priorities.

Earlier in her career, Hill served as a Senior Program Officer at the Institute of American Indian Arts where she developed projects to create economic opportunities for Indigenous artists and tribal communities.

Hill received a master of arts degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago and a bachelor of arts in international affairs. Hill is a board member of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Native Governance Center, and MASS Design Group. She also is a University-Tribal Relations Advisory Committee member and a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Committee member. In 2025, she and her father, Norbert Hill, published Beyond Blood Quantum: Refusal to Disappear to explore Indigenous identity, belonging, and citizenship.