Everything You Need to Know About ILA (Cohort 7, Spring 2025)

The application for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) will open on November 15, 2025, and will close on December 13, 2025. Follow along for upcoming blogs, posts, and a webinar with information about the ILA.

This blog is dedicated to questions that you may have about applying to the ILA. If you are an Indigenous person who wants to be a contributor to your community you should apply to this academy!

When does the application open?

The application will open on Friday, November 15, 2024.

When does the application close?

The application will close on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Please submit it as soon as possible.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone who lives in the United States and meets the eligibility criteria listed on the application is welcome to apply. Fifty percent of the allotted spaces will be awarded to Arizona residents.

How much does it cost?

The cost for the 10-module program is $2650. Scholarships are available; applicants are automatically considered for a scholarship upon application to ILA. It is highly recommended that the cost not be a deterrent. 

What do I need to complete the application?

If you’re thinking about applying for the ILA, please note that we will require your recent work history. The apex is to lay the groundwork for a project you can implement in your community which will be the foundation for all the lessons across the 10 weeks. We're looking to assess your strengths as a leader, so please reflect on any other leadership programs you may have been involved in. 

Why do I need to have a LinkedIn profile?

You gain a network of over 133 ILA alumni! A LinkedIn profile helps us to see who you are and the work you do in your community; it also creates a wonderful space for you to grow your network. I should note that signing up and using LinkedIn is free of charge. If you would like to use LinkedIn Premium, there is a fee. Don’t have a LinkedIn account? Sign up here.

How is the cohort run?

• The cohort will be taught on Zoom and in person (module 10 only) with class materials and participation on Canvas.
• The first module is on a Saturday and is about six hours in length.
• The middle two through nine modules are held on Wednesday evenings for three hours. We utilize Canvas and there is about 1.5 hours worth of reading each week.
• During the modules, we have guest speakers and professionals on that module's topic. The guest speakers are an invaluable way to provide real-life context and depth to each module.
• To gain certification, you will plan out a project that should benefit your community in some way.
• Module 10 will be held in person at the Reservation Economic Summit on March 10-13, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV.
• You will be responsible for your travel and room costs. More information will be released during the first weeks of the cohort.

What will I learn about?

You will learn about the following leadership practices within an Indigenous framework.

• Civic Engagement
• Responsibility
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Communicating
• Tribal Sovereignty
• Fostering Consensus 

How can I use the tools learned to use in my everyday life? 

The ILA course provides you with practical professional tips that you can incorporate into your daily life. The lessons from ILA can be sparingly used in your professional life, and also personally when making decisions or setting goals. It's crucial to understand that leaders in a community are not just elected officials. Leadership takes various forms and capacities in every group, and these roles are deeply intertwined with both community and professional relationships. The ILA course, designed for Indigenous communities, bridges the gap between these two perspectives, emphasizing their mutual importance.

What kind of people am I going to be meeting?

There are people from all walks of life in the cohort. They all share the common goal of wanting to create something meaningful for their community. I enjoy seeing how close they all become throughout the cohort and how much they continue to grow as leaders since completing the academy. 

What is the expected outcome of being a part of ILA?

Introducing a new community of individuals who share similar ambitions and goals for their local area. These individuals can offer opportunities or act as a valuable sounding board for your projects, providing insightful feedback. Upon completion, you will be awarded a digital badge and certificate from Arizona State University.

You can learn more about the Indigenous Leadership Academy here: https://aipi.asu.edu/ila