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Call for Expressions of Interest
Forthcoming for 2019

Tribal nations and Indigenous communities across North America are leading in the development of unique programs and policies, from environmental sustainability to holistic healthcare. Yet Indigenous students in undergraduate and graduate programs often do not find opportunities to learn about how they can use their skills and visions to contribute to important Indigenous planning and design processes.

Each first week of June, the Indigenous Planning Summer Institute (IPSI) convenes a group of Indigenous students to learn more about Indigenous principles and practices of planning and design. This is an Indigenous-led educational program. Students interested in a range of topics are encouraged to apply, from Indigenous sustainability/resilience to decolonial theory and Indigenous resurgence to the relationship between Indigenous knowledge systems and science to Indigenous climate justice, among many other interests.

IPSI Goals

Bring diverse Indigenous students together to learn with other Indigenous persons about concepts of Indigenous planning;
Share the SDI theoretical model of sustainability as a guide for Indigenous Planning, and share the models, wisdom, experience and stories of the diverse participants that come from their lives and homelands;
Create an inter-Indigenous educational exchange by visiting the Menominee community and forest and neighboring Tribes to engage and compare different examples of Indigenous planning in practice.
Create a cohort for participating students to connect with as they continue their future professional or academic/scientific education and careers.

Why Attend?

Experience first hand insights into some of the outcomes of Indigenous planning on the ground.
Everyone participates and is given an opportunity to voice their ideas and share their stories.
Visit the Menominee Nation Forest, a world renowned example and early originator of sustainable forestry.
Visit diverse tribal communities in the area to see how they have applied indigenous planning to their work.
Learn about Indigenous planning concepts such as:
- 7 generations planning
- Guiding planning with Indigenous knowledges and values

2017 IPSI Instructors & Activities

Connecting on location with Tribes to see Indigenous planning in action including the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin's sustainable forestry sites, Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin's Turtle School, environmental restoration, aquaponics projects, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Commmunity's wetland restoration sites.
2016 Summer Institute Agenda
Instructors are leaders in Indigenous planning including those who work both in Tribes and academia.
Individual and group reflection activities throughout week are used to help people to consider their own experiences and stories. The Institute ends with opportunities for participants to share what they have learned about Indigenous Planning. Each group was assigned a concept and had to in there own words describe what that concept meant to them.
Discussion activities with elders, Tribal professionals and knowledge keepers.

Who Can Attend?

Indigenous students who are interested in pursuing Indigenous planning their careers. IPSI is open to diverse student pathways, and interested applicants should inquire further using the contact information below.

Application (will be live in August)

Step 1.
Fill out three question initial application form found below.

Indigenous Planning Summer Institute Form

Step 2:
Once we have the list of interested students, we will email updates regarding formal applications, admissions decisions, funding opportunities, and logistics

Cost (TBA)

We have possible scholarships for students who are interested in attending.

We also will set a cost of attendance for students who are able to secure funds to support themselves.