Summer Institute in Tribal Planning

Dear Planning Students,

This is the 25th year of what we call our "Summer Institute in Tribal Planning." Starting with collaboration from our EWU American Indian Studies program, EWU is one of the leading institutions that has recognized the importance of tribal planning in the West. Tribal planning represents a unique and dynamic process related to tribal powers to plan through sovereignty. There are recognized American Indian reservations with sovereign powers that impact almost every jurisdiction in the NW, yet most planners and the general public are not aware of the structure, powers and processes of tribal planning.

In addition, tribes have expanding employment requests for tribal planners, and many of our alumni work for tribal governments throughout the region. It's knowledge you should have, and it builds on good planning practice. So, I invite you to consider the tribal planning courses this summer.

As a note, these classes include Native American professionals and interested community members, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, to provide a basic introduction and information on tribal planning processes and applications. They are scheduled as intensive workshops, generally from 8:30-5:00 daily during the first two weeks of the quarter, while students taking the course for credit will be required to complete reading and research assignments and projects due on August 9, when there will be an interactive, on-line presentation of final projects and discussion that is also part of the class. Those students who need to be enrolled full-time may wish to add an independent study on tribal government issues working with Dr. Winchell, or consider some of the other coursework from geography, public administration, or related disciplines.

Below is a listing of the dates and overview of each class offered this summer.
I hope you will consider tribal planning courses, which include field trips to nearby tribes for at least the Intro class.

Thanks,
Dick Winchell

25th Annual Summer Tribal Planning Institute

Tribal Transportation Planning - June 20 to 23, 2011
This course is an introduction to tribal transportation planning and the importance of transportation for overall tribal development. It includes background information on SAFETEA-LU including new opportunities for tribal participation in Transit Programs and Scenic Byways, the structure and operation of the Indian Reservation Roads Program (IRR), the Road Inventory Field Data System (RIFDS), developing Tribal Transportation Plans and Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP's), and a brief review of IRR implementation options including direct service, PL 93-638 contracting and compacting and Agreements with the Federal Highway Administration. One day will be in the field wear appropriate clothing.

Census Data in Tribal Planning - June 24 to 25, 2011
This weekend class provides an introduction to the tremendous data resources available through the US Census Bureau and related data bases on-line, which includes how to locate and access a wide range of population, social and economic data; basic models of demographic and economic analysis with applications exercises to be completed before, during and after class; and integration of spatial analysis of data using on-line mapping and ARC GIS software.

Introduction to Tribal Planning - June 27 to 30, 2011
The purpose of this class is to present an overview of tribal planning programs. The class will describe tribal government history and legal foundations of sovereignty for tribal planning, processes of tribal management and planning including the comprehensive plan, management and budget structures, land use controls, and key aspects of standard planning tools and their application for appropriate tribal planning.  Two models for tribal planning exist: one is where tribes use standard Anglo planning techniques as a technical function within their own government, while the second is the development of tribal (or village) specific planning as a unique and dynamic process which uses some of the same tools of non-Indian planning but expands from a base of tribal sovereignty to reframe tribal planning and government. The later model is the basis of tribal planning taught in this class. 

Student expectations
Students will be expected to participate in class, daily exercises, and complete all assignments which include research, writing, presentations and discussions in class, and for students enrolled for credit, short written assignments and a final research report. There will be extensive group work within the class, and students are encouraged to apply learning to their own tribe or issues of interest. Graduate students will be required to complete a "synthesis research report" in addition to all individual course assignments.