Indigenous Leadership Academy

ILA supports you in developing the skills, confidence, and relationships needed to lead effectively within your community and professional spaces.

• Indigenous leadership practices and values
• Understanding sovereignty, the governance and economics of Tribal Nations
• Indigenous knowledge, research, and data
• Innovation and sustainable community-building
• Leadership responsibility and accountability
• Professional communication and storytelling
• Building relationships and professional networks
• Bridging differences and fostering consensus
• Community-centered management practices
• Leadership development and future planning

• A stronger understanding of Indigenous leadership principles
• Expanded professional and peer networks
• Increased confidence in communication and collaboration
• A developed leadership project or initiative focused on community impact
• ASU digital certification and badging upon successful completion
   

ILA participants come from all walks of life. Alumni all share the common goal of wanting to create something meaningful for their tribal community and continue to grow as leaders within their chosen career paths. The professional relationships developed throughout ILA have even extended beyond the cohort, and many individuals remain connected in a variety of ways afterward. 

This course is designed for tribal citizens and emerging community leaders from across the nation, who are engaged in Tribal-centered work and are committed to strengthening the sovereignty of Tribal Nations. 

ILA welcomes individuals from a variety of professional and community backgrounds, including:
 

• Tribal Governance
• Education
• Health and Wellness
• Community Advocacy
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Stewardship
• Policy and Public Service
• Arts, Culture, and Media
   

ILA is grounded in Tribal governance, a deep understanding of sovereignty, and Indigenous values and leadership practices. The program centers the lived experiences, strengths, and knowledge systems of Indigenous communities and history of Tribal Nations in the United States. Through an Indigenous-written and community-centered curriculum, participants engage in leadership development that is actionable, timely and addresses the unique needs of Tribal Nations today. 

The program emphasizes:
 

• Tribal governance, leadership and sovereignty
• Community-centered solutions
• Relationship-building and Mentorship
• Professional and personal growth
• Communication and Collaboration skills
• Consensus-building and Community engagement

The program is delivered on Zoom with all class materials, assignments, and discussions hosted on Canvas. 

The first and tenth modules each run for approximately six hours. The first module is held over Zoom on a Saturday, while the final module will take place in person. 

Modules two through nine meet weekly in the evening for three hours each. Participants can expect about 1.5 hours of reading per week, along with engagement in discussions and activities on Canvas. 

Throughout the program, you will receive guidance on developing a community-based project of your choosing, designed to make a meaningful impact in your local context.
 

ILA coursework is facilitated by Tribal and community leaders, educators, practitioners, researchers, and guest speakers from across Indian Country and multiple professional sectors.

Participants will engage directly with facilitators and guest speakers through:

• Live discussions
• Interactive workshops
• Collaborative activities
• Mentorship and peer learning opportunities
   

• The required dates for the cohort are August 15th, 20th, and 27th; September 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th; October 1st, 8th, and 15th; NCAI Conference 2026 - October 18th-22nd
• The weekly Zoom meetings will be on Wednesday evenings, from 4pm to 7pm AZ time.
• The first meeting, Module 1, will be on Zoom on Saturday, August 15, 2026, tentatively from 9am to 2pm AZ time.
• The last meeting, Module 10, will be in-person at the NCAI Conference in Palm Springs, CA from October 18th-22nd (Sunday-Thursday), 2026. 

• The first and tenth modules each run for approximately six hours.
• The first module is held via Zoom on a Saturday, while the final module will take place in person.
• Modules two through nine meet weekly in the evening for three hours each. Participants can expect about 1.5 hours of reading per week, along with engagement in discussions and activities on Canvas.
• Throughout the program, you will receive guidance on developing a community-based project of your choosing, designed to make a meaningful impact in your local context.
  
  

This program is designed for current community leaders from the 30 Tribal Nations across the Colorado River Basin. We welcome individuals dedicated to shaping their community's water future through sovereignty, policy, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.
 

Ideal candidates include professionals working in or adjacent to:

• Tribal Governance & Policy
• Water Resources & Infrastructure
• Environmental Stewardship
• Community Development
• Advocacy & Sustainability
• Research & Education
• Tribal Agriculture & Ranching
• Public Health & Utility Management
• Emergency Management & Disaster Response
• Economic Development & Tribal Enterprise
• Tribal Capacity Building & Next-Generation Leadership Development
   

Participants will engage in the ILA’s nationally recognized leadership development program, grounded in Indigenous knowledge and leadership principles, timely academic thought pieces, and seasoned guest speakers to compliment the leadership practices embedded throughout the program.

The specific focus on Tribal water law and policy introduces a framework of adaptive learning and reciprocal leadership. Participants will explore the fundamentals of Western water law and its historical impact on Tribal water access. The curriculum covers the evolution of Tribal water law and its application to modern water policy within Arizona and the broader Colorado River Basin, equipping participants with the tools to navigate and influence current water management decisions.

The primary goal of this cohort is for participants to leverage the skills, resources, and relationships developed throughout the program to design and implement impactful community-based water solutions. At the program’s conclusion, participants will have produced a policy paper supported by a network of Indigenous leaders, peers, mentors, and water policy professionals.

Program Outcomes:

• ASU digital certification and badging upon successful completion of the program
• A collaborative water policy paper focused on Tribal water issues and solutions in the Colorado River Basin
• Exclusive access to ILA cohort and alumni network via LinkedIn
   

The ILA-Tribal Water Sovereignty: Colorado River Basin Cohort combines leadership development with specialized education focused on Tribal water law and policy. Our community-centered curriculum was designed by a team of Indigenous experts working in Indian Country to provide a practical and timely program. Participants will explore the intersection of leadership, water law and policy, climate resilience, Tribal nation building, and water stewardship.

Learn directly from experts in water law, policy, management, and research while engaging in collaborative discussions and applied learning experiences.

The ILA-Tribal Water Sovereignty: Colorado River Basin Cohort will focus on:

• Tribal water sovereignty and self-determination
• Western water law and policy
• Indigenous knowledge systems and stewardship
• Climate resilience and sound water management
• Community-centered leadership development
• Cross-sector collaboration and consensus building

Cohort participants will have the unique opportunity to connect in person and culminate their ILA journey with a collaborative capstone project at the Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA) Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.