Charlene Everson (right) and Michelle Byers of K'贸moks First Nation say local training like NIC鈥檚 Aboriginal Leadership certificate will prepare people to play important management and administrative roles within First Nations.
Seats are open for the September start of NIC鈥檚 new Aboriginal Leadership certificate, an exciting opportunity for Aboriginal students to prepare for management and administrative careers.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a high demand on Vancouver Island for workers with experience working with First Nations,鈥� said Kelly Shopland, NIC鈥檚 director of Aboriginal education. 鈥淣ot just working directly for First Nations, but across all sectors 鈥� everything from tourism to economic development, social services to health care.鈥�
The curriculum includes human resources, communications and finance, along with values and ethics and the histories and impacts of colonization.
The majority of the program will be online, but students have a chance to connect in person during on-campus gatherings each semester, that will rotate between regions, giving them the opportunity to network and build relationships with each other.
鈥淪tudents will learn how to build relationships with band administration, chief and council and elders,鈥� said Laura Johnston, 糖心vlog传媒instructor and program consultant. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all relationship building, because that鈥檚 one of the most important pieces of protocol you can learn.鈥�
The certificate was developed after 糖心vlog传媒was approached by the K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation about the need for this kind of training.
鈥淭he Aboriginal Leadership certificate is a great opportunity for any Indigenous person who hopes to raise up their community,鈥� said Charlene Everson, education coordinator with K'贸moks First Nation. 鈥淚t will give them the skills they need to navigate the intricacies of working around the Indian Act and moving towards self-governance by becoming effective leaders of change.鈥�
Everson said the training is an asset to anyone who wants to work for or already works with First Nations.
鈥淎 non-Indigenous person who works for, or with, First Nations is making an act of reconciliation by enrolling in this program,鈥� Everson added. 鈥淭hey will gain a unique perspective on the dynamic changes that continue to emerge in the world of First Nations governance and administration.鈥�
For more information or to register, visit NIC's Aboriginal Leadership certificate program page, or call 1-800-715-0914.
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