The Certificate in Tribal Relations is offered by the Institute for Tribal Government and Center for Public Service in the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government. It is designed for local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and trade associations that work regularly with tribal nations and native communities. The program seeks to:
- Foster understanding of tribal perspectives
- Increase staff effectiveness and accountability when working in Indian Country
- Improve working relationships between participants and the tribal communities with whom they work
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A Cohort Learning Experience – As part of a cohort, students benefit from the rich and varied experiences of their peers.
Friday Class Sessions – End of week classes make it convenient for working professionals to attend.
Selection of a Case Partner Tribe - Each student develops a relationship with one tribal government to compare course material with that tribe’s lived experiences.
Three Immersive Field Experiences – Each cohort meets with leaders and senior staff at the federal, state, and tribal levels of government. This year all field experiences will be offered in-person.
Mentorship – Each cohort has mentor-facilitators to provide guidance through the program and coordinate content delivery. Course content is delivered by a cadre of tribal leaders, elders, and other experts.
Capstone – Each student completes a Capstone project pertaining to their particular organization and goals.
Hybrid Learning – While participants are encouraged to attend the classroom sessions in-person, the program is offered in hybrid format (in-person & virtual). The university will continue to follow state and local government's health and safety guidelines.