MPA Tribal Governance
"No right is more sacred to a nation, to a people, than the right to freely determine its social, economic, political and cultural future without external interference. The fullest expression of this right occurs when a nation freely governs itself. We call the exercise of this right Self-determination. The practice of this right is Self-government."
– Joseph Burton DeLaCruz (1937-2000)
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Goals and Structure
The Tribal Governance concentration focuses on structures, processes and issues specific to tribal governments. It provides current and future tribal leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to work successfully in Indian Country. The concentration is also appropriate for those working with governmental or other organizations in a liaison role with tribal governments.
Students go through the entire program as a cohort and finish in two years in this structured program. The Tribal Governance program only admits students every other year. The next cohort of the program begins in Fall 2006.
Program
Courses are taught in an intensive format, meeting four sessions each quarter (two sessions for core course and two sessions for the concentration course). Each session is 20 hours long and meets Friday afternoons and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
The tribal concentration reflects the diversity of issues addressed by the tribes, including: health, housing, education, youth, welfare, land use, law enforcement, human resources, transportation, fiscal policy and economic development. Completing the degree through the tribal concentration requires completion of required core programs (24 credits), tribal concentration courses (20 credits), electives (12 credits) and capstone (4 credits), totaling 60 credit hours. Student work is evaluated through written narrative evaluations rather than grades. Learning experiences are highly participatory; significant in-class work occurs in small seminars.
History
A survey of tribal government leaders and staff in the Northwest revealed a high level of interest in graduate studies that would equip tribal members for the increasingly complex work in administration of tribal governments. No other college or university in the US currently offers such an advanced degree or professional credentials that reflect in-depth specialization in contemporary tribal governance subject areas.
Evergreen's MPA Program received approval from the Board of Trustees and the State Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop and offer such a program targeting persons with a high interest in working within tribal communities, the pilot beginning Fall 2002.
The Northwest Indian Applied Research Institute (NIARI), an Evergreen public service center, acted in a major role, especially in curriculum and faculty development programs, and making available expertise on tribal government issues from around the United States.
Demographics
The cohort of students that completed the program in 2002-2004 included students, staff, and faculty with tribal affiliations with, among others: Apache, Colville, Kootenai, Makah, Native Hawai'ian, Port Gamble/S'kallam, Quinault, Rocky Boy Cree, Salish, Skokomish, Snoqualmie, Suquamish, Tulalip, and Turtle Mountain Band. Many of these students were employees from tribal governments, state government, and higher education, among others, with expertise in administration, higher education, natural resources, finance, intergovernmental relations and human resources.
The faculty team for the 2004-2006 cohort will be led by Alan Parker and Linda Moon Stumpff, with rotating faculty from the traditional MPA program: Larry Geri, Joan Bantz, Gail Johnson, and Cheryl Simrell King. Visiting lecturers included tribal leaders from around Washington and Montana, as well as Sam Deloria, Patricia Zell, and Billy Frank, Jr.
Program
The tribal concentration reflects the diversity of issues addressed by the tribes, including: health, housing, education, youth, welfare, land use, law enforcement, human resources, transportation, fiscal policy and economic development. Completing the degree through the tribal concentration requires completion of required core programs (24 credits), tribal concentration courses (20 credits), electives (12 credits) and capstone (4 credits), totaling 60 credit hours. Student work is evaluated through written narrative evaluations rather than grades. Learning experiences are highly participatory; significant in-class work occurs in small seminars.
Interested? Contact MPA.
For admissions information, cost of study, and general MPA program details, select the appropriate link from out site navigation.
If you would like to speak to someone about the tribal governance concentration, email Maggie McCarty or call (360) 867-6202.
To speak to someone about the MPA program in general, email Randee Gibbons or call (360) 867-6554.
Thank you for your interest in graduate programs, and the tribal governance concentration at Evergreen.
