Indigenous Leadership Academy: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders in Indigenous Communities

The Indigenous Leadership Academy (ILA) is a groundbreaking program focused on developing leaders within Indigenous communities through a curriculum rooted in traditional leadership values and community-centered approaches. ILA stands apart by nurturing not only current leaders but also emerging professionals across Arizona and the United States who work with Tribal and Indigenous communities and organizations. 

Launched in January 2022 with support from Arizona Public Service (APS), ILA has quickly grown into a nationally recognized program. It has partnered with leading organizations including the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Tufts University and several schools at Arizona State University (ASU).

Since its founding, ILA has built a powerful network of Indigenous changemakers:

• 157 participants
   
• Representing 73 Tribal Nations
   
• Across 31 states and Washington, D.C.
   
• 52% of participants from Arizona
   

Through interactive learning, mentorship, and culturally grounded leadership development, ILA continues to shape the future of Tribal governance, Indigenous education, and Native health leadership.

What we do

The AIPI is dedicated to serving communities through innovative capacity-building initiatives. We collaborate with various partners both within and outside of ASU in Indian Country. Our contributions include providing professional development training opportunities for tribal leaders, governmental staff, tribal members, tribal students, and individuals or entities working with tribal governments. Our goal is to support the long-term economic sustainability of tribal nations and governments.nd those entities and individuals working with tribal governments. to support the long-term economic sustainability of tribal nations and governments.