Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

Note: While the overall training subject stays the same, agendas are tentative and all topics within are subject to change.

Advanced Tribal Secretaries and Administrative Support Staff Training
Course Description: This course will assist those who are in a secretarial or administrative position and who wish to improve their skills to seek further work enhancement and career development. This course will advance those who have been in a secretarial or administrative role with some training and are looking for advanced training.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, enhancing communication skills, improving your value within the tribe, understanding your personality and others, managing the office and its staff, time and stress management, and getting organized.
Day Two: Importance of ethics and confidentiality, showing your capabilities (self presentation), customer service, setting objectives, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Basics of Robert’s Rules of Order Training
Course Description: Almost all tribes across the United States deal with boards in tribal government. This training is designed for the experienced board member and the newly elected board member. Please join us in the exciting course on how to organize and participate in effective meetings!
Day One: Training overview, professional networking exercise, communication skills, understanding your personality and others, conducting effective meetings, quorum requirements, constitutions and bylaws, voting and addressing unacceptable board member behavior.
Day Two: Interactive session on ethics, problem solving, decision making strategies, confidentiality, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Case Management in Tribal Communities Training
Course Description: Case management is a collaborative, client centered process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for services to meet the individual’s mental, physical and emotional health. This training will assist participants with understanding the process. From the first step of engagement to the final step of termination, attendees will be provided with the tools to help navigate their client’s case. Using case scenario exercises and group discussions, participants will be able to utilize hands on learning to become more familiar with situations in their field of work. Participants will also learn tips on how to care for themselves to combat burnout. This training is geared toward tribal social workers, school personnel, child support staff, TANF case managers, and ICWA case managers looking to develop the vital skills needed to assist the clients whom they serve.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, role of the case manager, steps of case management, change process, confidentiality and informed consent.
Day Two: Working in tribal communities, stress and time management, secondary and vicarious trauma, self-care, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Conducting Tribal Elections Training
Course Description: This training will assist your tribe in developing or reviewing your Tribal election laws and procedures and maintain a fair and equitable process for your constituents.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, ethics and professional responsibility, role of the election board, fundamental fairness in tribal elections, voter qualifications and registration, counting ballots, announcing results and challenges.
Day Two: Model tribal election ordinance, caucuses, nominations, ballots, campaign violations, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Critical Skills for Tribal Employees Training
Course Description: You will gain valuable experience from this training to enhance skills and techniques to help you become an effective employee. This training will be great for entry level employees and refresh skills of current supervisors and managers.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, enhancing communication skills, team building, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.
Day Two: Importance of ethics and confidentiality, goal setting, organizational skills, professional etiquette, customer service, setting objectives, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Essential Skills for Tribal Board Member Leadership Training
Course Description: This comprehensive training program is designed to equip Tribal board members with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively lead and govern their Tribal Boards, Committees or Commissions. Through a combination of expert-led presentations,
interactive activities, and coaching conversations, participants will gain a deep understanding of key areas such as, governance fundamentals, strategic planning, decision making, financial oversight, building a strong board culture and meaningful communication. By the end of this training, participants will be empowered to be effective board members who make informed decisions, enhance organizational performance, and drive positive impact in their tribal communities.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, understanding the entity’s governance fundamentals, decision making, types of boards, communications within the board, and boards’ authority and limits.
Day Two: Effective Board Culture, being an effective board member, ethics, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Improving Customer Service and Communication skills in the Tribal Workplace Training
Course Description: This training will assist employees with understanding and improving their customer service skills in the workplace. Participants will learn about essential components of customer service and how to utilize them.
Day One: Training overview, professional networking exercise, Importance of effective communication in Customer Service, types of customer service and different interactions.
Day Two: Interactive session on customer service, importance of listening to the customer, problem solving with the customer, why go above and beyond expectations, evaluations.

Grant Management and Basic Budgeting Training
Course Description: In this important class you will learn the basics of how to develop and administer a grant. The training will cover pre-award and post-award grant administration, as well as grant writing and grant budgeting. You will gain valuable knowledge that will help you become a successful grant writer.
Day One: Clarifying what the community/Tribe needs and will gain from the grant, common elements in grant writing, managing the grant life cycle, grant guidelines: federal, state, foundations, budget development and management, common budget elements, property and equipment management and Identifying the tribal systems (HR, Accounting, Purchasing, etc) and understanding the tasks that will need to be done if the grant is awarded.
Day Two: Developing an evaluation plan – How will you know you are successful, performance management of the grant, communication to the community about the work of the grant, grant reporting and evaluation, audit requirements, record keeping, alignment with Tribal policies and procedures, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Native American Women’s Leadership Training
Course Description: Look around your office or department. Are there more women than men? This is an increasing trend across Indian Country. Many of our tribal governances are built on matriarchal society, so naturally more and more of our governing boards are going to be led by Women. This workshop will assist you in learning important skills and strategies on how to cope with the ever-changing workplace. How to manage stress and the balance between home and work. Come learn from other Native Women from across the country!
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, empowering native women to serve in Indian Country, women’s roles in tribal communities, reclaiming our young women, managing our emotions under pressure.
Day Two: Powerful communications skills for women, balancing between work and home, stress management, time management, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Professional Development for Tribal Secretaries and Administrative Support Staff Training
Course Description: Tribal secretaries and administrative support staff are the backbone of our tribal governments. It is the responsibility of these individuals to do the important behind the scenes work and create seamless work environments. Attend this training to learn valuable skills and how to manage the stress of this important job.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, communication skills, understanding your personality and others, time management, stress management and organizational skills.
Day Two: Interactive session on ethics and professional etiquette, customer service, goal setting, confidentiality, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Resolving Conflict and Addressing Unacceptable Behavior Training
Course Description: Conflict is a part of everyday life in any work environment, but there are ways of dealing with this in a positive and effective manner. Learn the skills that will help you address negative behavior and build positive relationships.
Day One: Training overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, communication skills, understanding your personality and others, addressing unacceptable employee and board member behavior, conducting performance evaluations, attendance issues.
Day Two: Resolving conflict before you have violence in the workplace, coping strategies, problem solving, defining and handling harassment, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Supervisor Skills Training
Course Description: If you are looking to brush up on your supervisor skills or are a newly hired supervisor this training is for you. You will learn valuable skills to motivate your employees, deal with insubordination and how to create a respected department.
Day One: Training overview, professional networking exercise, communication skills, understanding your personality and others, conducting performance evaluations, team building, motivating the employee.
Day Two: Interactive session on ethics and professional responsibility, goal setting, confidentiality, delegation, strategic planning, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Tribal Court Clerk Certification and Standards Training
Course Description: Attend this training to build a solid foundation in understanding the roles and responsibilities of being a Tribal Court Clerk. You will learn skills needed to manage and understand common court proceedings.
Day one: Training overview, history of Tribal Courts, jurisdiction, Sovereignty, separation of powers, clerk duties and responsibilities, customer service and professional standards, case and records management.
Day two: Court filings, criminal and civil proceedings, juvenile proceedings and standards testing.

Advanced Tribal Court Clerk Certification and Standards Training
Course Description: This training will build upon the Tribal Court Clerk session one. The facilitator will go beyond the basics in assisting the Tribal Court Clerks in building and maintaining smooth court proceedings.
Day one: Training overview, Basic Indian Law, understanding the judiciary, role of the court administrator, case and records management, calendaring and dockets.
Day two: Juvenile procedures, civil and criminal procedures, fiscal management, development of clerks manual, standards testing.

Tribal Court Technology Foundations & Case Management Training
Course Description: This intensive two-day workshop equips tribal court professionals with practical, hands-on office technology skills and actionable case management insights. Led by industry experts, attendees will learn how to optimize their digital workflows, master essential software, and effectively manage court dockets. If available, please bring a laptop (notify us in advance if one is unavailable).
Day one: Office Technology Foundations Navigating – the essential digital tools for modern court operations. Introduction to court technology ecosystems, Microsoft Word & Adobe Acrobat specific to tribal court needs, creating, formatting, and standardizing official court forms, court tracking systems overview, and best practices for professional email and digital communication.
Day two: Case Management Masterclass – Streamlining the lifecycle of case management. Introduction to Case Management Systems (CMS), best practices for case creation and scheduling, docket management and hearing logistics and open Q&A: troubleshooting specific operational setups.

Tribal Council Member Training
Course Description: Are you a newly elected Tribal Council Member or has your Tribal Council had additions to your team after recent elections? This training will assist your council in developing as a team and increase productivity within your Tribe.  Learn from an experienced Tribal Council Chairman who will provide you with the necessary tools to lead effectively.
Day One: Functions and responsibilities of the Tribal Council, understanding Tribal Sovereignty, understanding your peer’s personality and how to work together, conflict resolution.
Day Two: Basics of Robert’s Rules of Order, understanding the Tribal budget, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Tribal Enrollment – Critical issues for Indian Country
Course Description: Tribal enrollment is one of the most critical issues facing our tribes today. This course is designed for the Enrollment staff or elected leadership navigating their community through enrollment criteria challenges and potential changes, most noteworthy are the effects of blood quantum and geography requirements in many tribal enrollment ordinances today. Includes real world best practices, interactive situations and group solutions. This two day course blends the unique needs of your tribe with broader conversations and solutions designed to give each participant new tools and strategies to use back home.
Day one: Training overview, professional networking exercise, policy foundations, blood quantum and alternatives, enrollment ordinances, adoption, and paternity.
Day two: Emerging trends including technology, disenrollment, update on current litigation dealing with enrollment issues, Tribal Council support, confidentiality, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Tribal Enrollment -Tribal Trust/Investment Training
Course Description: This course is designed for the tribal trust and investment staff or the elected leadership in charge of overseeing your Nation’s assets. We’ll cover the foundations of fiduciary responsibility, sounds investment practices, how to systematize investment results and
a host of unique Tribal nuances to consider. This course is taught by a tribal member and previously licensed investment advisor that led two different Native Nations’ with their Trust investments. He’s not selling any
products or directions, rather wants to equip and prepare you to ask the right questions, put efficient processes in place and ensure your Nation is making prudent investment decisions with Tribal assets.
Day one: Introduction and roles, Investment Policy – what it is, how to create and update, Implementation (Long-term/Endowment style accounts, Short-term/expense paying accounts, Minor Trusts).
Day two: Monitoring accounts and communicating results, fees and providers, and Socially Responsible Investing, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Tribal Human Resources Training
Course Description: This course is designed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge needed to manage human resources within tribal organizations effectively. The training covers key HR functions such as recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance. Participants will learn best practices for fostering a culturally sensitive workplace, addressing unique challenges in tribal HR, and supporting the professional development of tribal employees.
Day one: Introduction to Tribal HR, recruitment and selection, employee relations, and onboarding and orientation.
Day two: Compensation and benefits, performance management, strategic HR planning, recap of key learning skills, presentation of certificates and evaluations.

Tribal Leaders and Managers Training
Course Description: Being in a senior leadership position requires many skills to manage staff and to move your department forward in a positive direction. This training will cover several crucial skills including specific traits needed to be an effective leader and communicator, how to run productive meetings, and basic project management. It will include an overview of the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective leader which can serve as a roadmap for personal development. In effective communication, you will practice providing constructive feedback, listening, and techniques for addressing unacceptable behavior that is simple and effective. You will learn principles of effective meetings and leave with tools to help you plan and implement. This training is critical for Tribal Council members, Administrators, Program Directors and Supervisors!
Day One: Training overview, effective communication skills, dealing with unacceptable behavior, conducting performance evaluations, team building, motivating the employee and professional development.
Day Two: Interactive session on ethics and professional responsibility, leadership development, confidentiality, delegation, strategic planning, project management, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Tribal Security and its Operations: Workplace Violence Training
Course Description: Take this opportunity to brush up on current trends or to build a more comprehensive secure Tribal Organization. This training will focus on workplace violence and active shooter situations. Do you know the signs that someone may become violent? Would you know what to do if an active shooter came into your workplace. Attend this training to learn about the warnings signs of violence, what to do to stay safe, what to expect from law enforcement officers and how to treat victims. This training is ideal for all employees, but crucial for school security staff, casino security staff, Tribal administrative offices or Tribal Health Center staff, and Tribal Court personnel.
Day one: Training overview, Determine current threats within your department/organization, understanding body language as a communication tool, office safety, workplace violence, de-escalation techniques.
Day two: Dealing with difficult people, identifying workplace impairment, internal theft, evaluations, presentation of certificates.

Course Certifications Program Process

Note: Participants will have the opportunity to be tested in the course material. Once they have passed the qualifying exam they will be issued a completion certificate good for 2 years.

Tribal Administrative Assistant/Secretary Certificate Program Training and Testing
Course Description: This course will assist those who are in a secretarial or administrative position and who wish to be certified in their skills.
Day One: Seminar overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, enhancing communication skills, improving your value within the tribe, understanding your personality and others, managing the office and its staff, time and stress management, and getting organized.
Day Two: Importance of ethics and confidentiality, showing your capabilities (self presentation), customer service, record keeping, bookkeeping and accounting, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Advanced Tribal Administrative Assistant/Secretary Certificate Program Training and Testing
Course Description: This course will assist those who are in a secretarial or administrative position and who wish to be certified in their skills at the advanced level. Participants must complete the Tribal Administrative Assistant/Secretary Certificate Training first.
Day One: Seminar overview and purpose, professional networking exercise, advancing communication skills, understanding your staffs personality and managing the office, time and stress management, and enhanced record keeping.
Day Two: Importance of ethics and confidentiality, professional presence in the office, customer service, setting objectives for the office, managing department budgets, evaluations, presentation of certificates

Group Rates and Special Events

Group rates are available for all of our trainings. Contact us for any one of our courses to find out more about the group discount.