Commissioners Attend Indigenous Governance Program

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“January in Tucson 2018” Welcomes Third Tribal Professionals Cohort

TUCSON, Arizona – “January in Tucson” (JIT), the annual intensive education session in Indigenous governance offered by the University of Arizona (UA) Indigenous Governance Program, kicked off last week by welcoming an international group of tribal leaders, citizens, legal practitioners, scholars, and other professionals, including members of the competitive “Tribal Professionals Cohort.”

Among them were Commissioner of Administration Shelly Diaz and Commissioner of Natural Resources Bradley Harrington.

The UA Indigenous Governance Program is an educational partnership between the Native Nations Institute (NNI) at the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and the Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy Program (IPLP) at the James E. Rogers College of Law. In 2018, its three-week JIT event offers 14 different courses, ranging from Indigenous Food Sovereignty to Tribal Business Law, all aimed at strengthening Indigenous governance. Each course may be taken on a for-credit or not-for-credit basis.

Since its inception in 2012, JIT has attracted participants representing more than 50 Indigenous nations from six different continents, who have earned over 600 executive education or academic credits through the UA Indigenous Governance Program. This diversity provides participants with new perspectives on familiar governance challenges and helps make JIT a truly unique educational experience.

Beginning in 2016, January in Tucson has provided free governance education opportunities for citizens of U.S.-based tribes through its Tribal Professionals Cohort (TPC). The TPC covers the cost of registration, tuition, travel, and accommodation for successfully admitted candidates.

The TPC 2018 consists of a select group of tribal citizens who have made a demonstrated commitment to build Indigenous governance capacities within their home communities. In addition to Commissioners Diaz and Harrington, this year’s TPC includes Bridget Valenzuela of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe; Leonard Bruce from the Gila River Indian Community; and Desirie Wilson of the Red Lake Nation.

NNI Executive Director Joan Timeche (Hopi) notes, “The Tribal Professionals Cohort is designed to build Indigenous governance capacity one person at a time.” To date, 16 individuals representing 12 U.S. Native Nations have participated in the TPC.

JIT 2018 is hosted at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona, January 8-26, 2018.

If you have questions regarding JIT 2018, please contact Indigenous Governance Program Manager, Dr. Torivio Fodder (Taos Pueblo), by email at taf05@email.arizona.edu or via phone at (520) 621-3093.