Exploring Tribal Sovereignty and the Environment through an Indigenous Lens

Program Content

In this hybrid study abroad program students will participate in a 5-credit, in-person course on the UW Tacoma campus to gain an understanding of settler colonialism through Native/Indigenous lived experiences. Students will read Native/Indigenous literary nature experiences while understanding the broad focus of Federal Indian law. These readings will help students gain a rich understanding of both U.S. Indigenous peoples and Canadian First Nations peoples sovereignty and science. Professor Erik McDonald will act as a guest scientist lecturer and lead participants on a local field trip focusing on ways to engage with the natural world and environmental stewardship methods.    

The in-country portion of this program will take place on Stó:lō territory at the University of Frasier Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. This location will allow students to use their field trip experiences and on-campus learning about Indigenous sovereignty as a lens to understand the similarities and differences between th South South Sound Indigenous Community and the Stó:lō People.  Students will participate in a range of activities, such as participating in a guided "Bad Rock Tour" to experience the majestic mountains and waterways of the Upper Fraser Valley. They will listen and learn about the unique relationship between the Stó:lō, “the River People”, their land and their environment. Students will also be offered the opportunity to hear from Tribal Elders about the history of the canoe to the Stó:lō which will provide students with an understanding of their river lifeways and engagement with the environment. Other activities may include a traditional salmon barbeque, weaving workshops, and tours of local areas will be planned for students. Students can expect to participate in daily reflections and a final presentation while abroad. To learn more about the University of the Fraser Valley and their Indigenous Student Centre, please visit their website. 

In working with the Stó:lō people in Fraser Valley, students will learn about different global understandings of Indigenous sovereignty and how sovereignty is manifested in land relationships. This program is specifically designed to connect students from three different institutions, UW Tacoma, Green River College, and Tacoma Community College, and provide an opportunity for Native/Indigenous students and students interested in Native/Indigenous studies to study abroad. The program will be led by Dr. Danica Sterud Miller (Puyallup Tribe of Indians) from the University of Washington Tacoma, Dr. Leander Yazzie (Navajo) from Green River College and LaRon Horseherder (Navajo) from Tacoma Community College. 

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequisites or language requirements. Students receive a total of five credits for the program as follows:

TLIT 433 American Indian Literature and Federal Indian Law (5 credits)

Using the unique lens of Indigenous ways of environmental understandings, students will examine Indigenous texts and their relationship to law and the environment. These texts will be from Indigenous nations both in now-United States and now-Canada and as we move through the course, we will compare the different models of Indigenous sovereignty, and how their sovereignty constructions are located within their land. Students can expect provoking readings, lively discussion, thoughtful writing, and both group (with presentations) and individual work with the occasional field trip and workshops.

Learning Goals Include:

• To improve familiarity with Indigenous socio-political and cultural histories. 

• To understand Indigenous identities within settler colonialism, especially in the now-United States and now Canada. 

• To understand some of the basic frameworks for tribal sovereignty. 

• To gain a general knowledge of Indigenous communities’ epistemologies. 

• To produce original research and arguments related to Indigenous studies. 

• To improve and develop writing, rhetorical, and discussion skills. 

For Green River College students, this course will count as AMES 194: American Minority and Ethnic Studies Special Topics. 

For Tacoma Community College students, this course will count as either ENGL 280: Literatures of Diversity or HIST 219: Native American History. 

Program Schedule

The program runs from March 31-June 22, 2025. Students will spend June 15 - 22 in Canada. 

Housing

Students will stay in double occupancy dormitories at the University of Fraser Valley. 

Student Eligibility

Undergraduates in good academic standing (2.0 or above) from any UW campus may apply. This program is designed for students from UW Tacoma, Green River College and Tacoma Community College who interested in American Indian and Indigenous studies, especially students whose lived experiences are in American Indian and Indigenous communities. Students who have not yet earned a high school diploma or equivalent are not eligible for our study abroad programs.

Financial Support 

Financial aid and study abroad scholarships workshops will be offered during spring and autumn 2024. Please continue to check this website for updates. 

Participants will also attend from 1-on-1 scholarship advising sessions to apply for existing study abroad and Indigenous-focused scholarship opportunities. 

Program Specific Events

Spring quarter events coming soon! 

**To receive new information about the program, funding opportunities and events, sign up here. 

Application Deadline

Applications are due on December 1, 2024. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions a few weeks after the deadline. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by December 15, 2024.

Tacoma Community College and Green River College students should complete this PDF and send to uwtintl@uw.edu: 

Travel Documents and Insurance 

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to the Canada.

Visas

There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens to travel to Canada.

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries you plan to visit by going to the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance 

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost 

The program fee is $2385. 

Included in the cost of the program:

• Administrative Fee 
• Instruction (5 credits)
• Transportation to and from Abbotsford, British Columbia
• Housing and some meals while students are abroad
• Program activities and program travel

Not Included:

• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)

Payment Due Date: April 18, 2025

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal 

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid.
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
• For Tacoma Community College students, please contact LaRon Horseherder for more information: lhorseherder@tacomacc.edu 
• For Green River College Students, please contact Dr. Leander Yazzie for more information: LYazzie@greenriver.edu 
• Consult the Financial Aid section on the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by January 31, 2025, the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodation