This introductory course explores environmental resources, practices, and stewardship from tribal perspectives. A variety of instructional experiences including sharing circles, guest lectures and field study introduce students to related Indigenous knowledge, management systems and stewardship practices. The current needs of tribal communities are examined through studying the idea of Native scholars, traditional teachers and environmental activists. pre-req: admission to MTRES program or instructor consent

This course is the first in a series of two that will provide the student with the understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes necessary to support Native American ways of life in balance with pressures of economic development. The course emphasizes practices that will provide sustainable subsistence foods and medicines for tribal member harvest and to support cultural activities. An integrated natural resource management approach will be used to discuss the reasons why clean air, water, and land are required to support a health environment, which in turn supports a health human population. Specific topics in this course may include geological setting, surface water and groundwater interaction, physical environment of lakes and streams, aquatic food webs, biodiversity, fisheries management, wild rice management, assessment of water quality trends, carrying capacity, environmental regulations and standards. Concepts of mineral stewardship on tribal lands will also be explored. This includes principles of the occurrence, extraction, and processing. pre-req: Admission to MTRES program or instructor consent

This course is the second in a series of two that will provide the student with the understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes necessary to support Native American ways of life in balance with pressures of economic development. Specific topics in this course may include wildlife management, range management, land use planning, terrestrial food webs, sustainable agriculture/forestry practices, assessment of air quality, biodiversity, and land use planning. Concept so energy stewardship on tribal lands will be explored. Carbon-based energy resources, with emphasis on coal and petroleum/gas; fundamentals of nuclear energy; technology of extraction, production, refinement, consumption, and byproduct treatment/disposal; importance of carbon-based energy in global industrialization; limits of population growth imposed by energy requirements? principles and associated technologies of renewable energy and energy conversion, with focus on solar, geothermal, tidal, and biofuel energy resources. pre-req: TRES 5201

Through consideration of multiple perspectives regarding value and exchange, this course pursues micro- and macroeconomic analyses of natural resources under tribal stewardship. Key topics can include modes of valuation, resource markets, sustainability, pollution control, benefit-cost analysis, air and water quality, waste management, and conservation. pre-req: admission to MTRES program or instructor consent