The Indigenous Governance Program (IGP) hosted its annual flagship event, January in Tucson 2021 (JIT) on Zoom this year in response to the global pandemic. JIT is a three-week, intensive Indigenous governance education session offered through the University of Arizona’s Indigenous Governance Program (IGP), a joint program of the Native Nations Institute (NNI) and Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program (IPLP) at the James E. Rogers College of Law.

In its ninth year, JIT hosted 14 courses from its Indigenous governance catalog, including one new course taught by NNI Director of Business Development Karen Diver Karen Diver (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) and University of Waikato Professor Chellie Spiller (hapū Matawhaiti Iwitea, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) - Indigenous Leadership for Native Nation Building. This year’s event drew participants from countries worldwide, including Spain, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. The diverse student base included leaders from Native Nations, tribal professionals working in Indian Country, and non-Indigenous participants representing non-profit organizations, government, and the private sector.

Skillfully managed by NNI's IGP Manager, Torivio Fodder (Taos Pueblo), the JIT experience provides an unparalleled educational opportunity that allows students and tribal leaders to exchange ideas and share experiences with top experts in Indigenous governance.