A workshop geared to building positive, constructive relationships between Wisconsin’s Native American tribes and other political and community members is planned for July 16-17 through Continuing Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP).

"American Indian Tribal Governments and Wisconsin" will begin Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m. at the Wisconsin Learning Center in the Portage County Business Park, 5501A Vern Holmes Drive, Stevens Point, and concludes at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.

Presented by Elizabeth Arbuckle Wabindato, a visiting assistant professor in the College of Letters and Science at UWSP, the hands-on, interactive workshop is being held to raise awareness of the unique rights and responsibilities of tribes and tribal people.

The eleven tribes of Wisconsin, their histories, governments and cultures will be introduced. Tribal relations with both the state and nation will be discussed as will ways that Native Americans and non-Native Americans can communicated more effectively, interact with tribal leaders and employees and build positive constructive relationships. Participants will become familiar with tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, federal Indian laws, tribal jurisdiction and land and gaming rights.

Arbuckle Wabindato, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, grew up on the Bad River Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin and has experience as a tribal employee. She began teaching at UWSP in 2007 and previously was an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She holds degrees from UW-Madison and the University of Michigan.

A fee of $175 per person includes dinner, breakfast and lunch during the workshop. A block of rooms is reserved at the Holiday Inn at 1001 Amber Ave., Stevens Point, through June 16, at a state rate of $62 for a single or $89 for double occupancy with a Wisconsin state I.D.

For more information or to register, contact UWSP Continuing Education, (715) 346-3838 or (800) 898-9472. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

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