In this course we will examine the different models of self-governance currently used by U.S. Tribal Nations, 1st Nations in Canada, Maori Tribal Nations (Iwi/Runanga) and Australian Aborigine Tribal Nations. Comparison will be made between the elected tribal council model that was introduced by the U.S. Government through implementation of the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act and modified by U.S. Tribes and the Band Council model most commonly used by 1st Nations. After examining commonalities and significant differences, we will compare these models to the Runanga/Council and Aborigine Tribal nation experience, again with emphasis on commonalities and salient differences from the point of view of effective expressions of contemporary self-governance. Class will conducted over two intensive weekend sessions with one session conducted on site at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.

Although this class is a continuation of the Patience program from the academic year, it is also open to new students wishing to participate in this pedagogy. We will ask students to take a very personal stake in their educational development, and this is not a program for students looking for an external, faculty-given pedagogical structure. Students will pay special attention to what individual and group work they plan on doing, how they plan to learn, how they will know they learned it and what difference the work will make in their lives and within their communities. Students will be encouraged to assume responsibility for their choices. Faculty and students together will work to develop habits of worthwhile community interaction in the context of the education process and liberation. The faculty are interested in providing an environment of collaboration where faculty and students will identify topics of mutual interest and act as partners in the exploration of those topics.