Native American Studies as an academic discipline, is committed to examining the contemporary and ancient experiences and ways of life of the first Americans from their perspective. The curriculum is designed to provide a study of American Indians from a holistic and humanistic viewpoint by focusing upon their cultural, historical, and contemporary life. Courses are designed for both Native American and non-Native American students so they can better understand human similarities and differences, thereby leading to the development of increased communications and good interpersonal relationships.
Native American Natural Resource Program (NANRP) missions is to provide Native American students enrolled in the College of Forestry and Conservation with educational opportunities and support that will assist and guide them as they earn their undergraduate degree. Services include tutoring, mentoring, academic and financial aid advising, internship and seasonal job placement, and scholarship searches.
RezNet (School of Journalism) is the online student newspaper for Native America and winner of the Native American Journalists Association's 2003 Native Media Award for Best Internet News Site. Reznet is a project of The University of Montana School of Journalism and the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is the major funder of reznet, which also receives grants from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation and the Gannett Foundation.
Cultural Resource Management (Anthropology, graduate program) is designed for students who are pursuing a career as a professional anthropologist, and who plan to work for a government agency, museum, or a private sector cultural resources management company. Our 'cultural heritage track' allows students to focus on the applied aspects of cultural resources management, museology, or language retention.
The Indian Law Clinic (Law, graduate program) was established in 1980 as a component of the school's clinical education program. Designed to provide students with practical experience regarding Indian law issues, the Indian Law Clinic is an in-house clinical program focusing primarily on issues and problems affecting tribal governments and justice systems located in Montana and Wyoming. The Indian Law Clinic provides legal research and technical assistance on Indian law issues to a variety of individuals and entities. Due to limited resources, the Indian Law Clinic generally provides assistance on matters impacting tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation and economic conditions within Indian country.