Wayfinding, knowledge, perspective, and engagement: Preparing tribal liaisons for stewardship of Indigenous lands

Abstract

Indigenous stewardship practices, deeply rooted in traditional values and knowledge, often differ from non-Indigenous management approaches. Bridging these differing practices and approaches requires professionals trained in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures, knowledge, and practices. The Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands (ESIL) certificate at the University of Colorado Denver aims to prepare students for such roles, particularly as tribal liaisons, who facilitate government-to-government relationships and consultations. In particular, the ESIL certificate combines academic coursework with workshops and internships that provide knowledge and skills critical for effective liaison work, such as understanding tribal governance, communication, conflict resolution, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). The motivation for this work is that the preparation of tribal liaisons in higher education institutions faces several challenges such as rigid disciplinary curricula and insufficient access to culturally relevant immersive experiences in Indigenous communities and organizations. ESIL addresses these challenges through its workshops and internships, which complement traditional coursework by providing culturally relevant learning opportunities. Workshops cover topics like tribal law, TEK, and Indigeneity, while internships offer hands-on experiences that bridge academic learning with real-world contexts and applications. This paper presents the experiences in creating and operating workshops and internships as part of the ESIL certificate program. Workshops and internships were created following the theory of culturally relevant pedagogy, and student feedback was collected following the Indigenous evaluation framework. Student feedback indicates that these activities complement students' education and training to become effective tribal liaisons by enhancing their wayfinding, knowledge acquisition, perspective taking, and engagement with Indigenous cultures, knowledge, and practice. The ESIL program's approach underscores the importance of culturally tailored education and strong partnerships with Indigenous professionals and communities to prepare the next generation of tribal liaisons.