Indigenous Leadership Academy

The General ILA Cohort provides a transformative learning experience that combines Indigenous leadership values, relationship-building, mentorship, and applied learning.

Participants leave the program with expanded leadership capacity, a stronger network of Indigenous leaders across the nation, and a community-centered leadership project designed to support meaningful impact in their respective communities and professional fields.
 

Launch Date: August 15, 2026

Applications Open: June 22, 2026

This course is designed for emerging and existing Indigenous leaders from across the nation who are engaged in community-centered work and are committed to strengthening Indigenous communities and 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

   

At this time ILA is intended for working professionals and community leaders. Current full-time students are discouraged from applying. 

ILA is grounded in Indigenous values and leadership practices while centering the lived experiences, strengths, and knowledge systems of Indigenous communities. Through an Indigenous-written and community-centered curriculum, participants engage in leadership development that is both practical and culturally responsive.

The program emphasizes:

• Indigenous leadership and sovereignty
• Community-centered solutions
• Relationship-building and mentorship
• Professional and personal growth
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Consensus-building and community engagement

In partnership with the ASU Kyl Center for Water Policy at Morrison Institute, the ILA presents the Tribal Water Sovereignty: Colorado River Basin Cohort. This specialized cohort is grounded in Indigenous values and is focused on advancing Tribal water sovereignty, proactive water governance and policy, and sound water stewardship in the West.

Building on ILA’s successful leadership model, this cohort equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and relationships needed to navigate Western water policy, strengthen Tribal water governance, and develop community-centered solutions rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems in the Colorado River Basin. Through a comprehensive curriculum, applied learning experiences, and collaborative dialogue, participants will deepen their leadership practices while developing projects that positively impact Indigenous communities throughout the Colorado River Basin.

Participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to navigate Western water policy, strengthen Tribal water governance, and advance community-driven solutions rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous individuals from Tribal Nations within the Colorado River Basin are encouraged to apply.

Launch Date: October 3, 2026

Applications Open: July 20, 2026

This program is designed for current and emerging Indigenous 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

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–learning directly from experts in water law, policy, management, and research. 

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