Susan Devan Harness

Susan Devan Harness is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, as well as a cultural anthropologist, writer, lecturer, and oral historian. Harness’s work explores the intersection of personal experience and scholarly research, with a focus on American Indian transracial adoption, cultural identity, and assimilation policies.

Harness is recognized for her memoir, "Bitterroot: A Salish Memoir of Transracial Adoption," published by University of Nebraska Press. In "Bitterroot," Harness examines her experiences as an American Indian child adopted by a white couple in the rural American West. The memoir addresses themes such as family, American Indian history of assimilation, race, stereotypes, nonbelonging, and the significance of forgiveness and self-acceptance. Prior to this memoir, Harness authored the scholarly work "Mixing Cultural Identities Through Transracial Adoption" (Edwin Mellen Press), which draws on her research in cultural anthropology. She has also contributed numerous articles on American Indian history and assimilation policies.

Harness holds a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from University of Montana and two Master of Arts degrees from Colorado State University, one in cultural anthropology and another in creative nonfiction. She has served as a research associate for the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University and is an affiliate in the Department of Anthropology and Geography at the same institution. Harness’s academic background and literary expertise inform her approach to topics such as transracial adoption, American Indian identity, and cultural assimilation.

"Bitterroot" has received critical recognition, including the High Plains Book Award in Creative Nonfiction and Indigenous Writer categories, the Barbara Sudler Award from History Colorado, and finalist status for the Colorado Book Award in the Memoir category. Harness’s work as a keynote speaker, conference presenter, and panelist has contributed to increased awareness of transracial adoption reform and American Indian issues.

Harness has delivered presentations nationally and internationally on American Indian transracial adoption and has appeared in media outlets including podcasts, public radio, and TEDxMileHigh. She has been interviewed by Colorado Public Radio, Le Monde, HuffPost, and KALW San Francisco, among others. Harness continues to write and speak on topics related to American Indian transracial adoption, cultural identity, and assimilation policies.