BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Aboriginal Governance & Leadership Certificate

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Current Course Offerings

Program Delivery Location: Community Based
Credential: Certificate

Aboriginal Governance & Leadership Certificate

The purpose of the Aboriginal Governance and Leadership Program (AGLP) are to strengthen Aboriginal peoples' skills and abilities to govern, grounded in the learners' traditional knowledge, leadership values, and community development interests. The AGLP will support the growth and establishment of ethical, effective leaders and public servants who contribute to improving governing systems and sustainable development outcomes in Aboriginal communities and institutions, for the benefit of current and future generations. Using a blended delivery model, each level of the AGLP will be offered on a part-time basis. The intent of this blended model is to maximize the flexibility of program delivery for working professionals and public servants, and allow for multiple entry/exit points that support the retention of learners and long-term course completion. This program can also be delivered in the traditional Academic method of 13 weeks per semester if desired. Learners will be encouraged to support each other in completing experiential learning activities (i.e. chairing meetings, problem solving, critical thinking, journaling); and in becoming more self-directed in their learning.. The culmination of the diploma program will be an internship course where learners will engage in a leadership/governance community research project that will be published and contribute to future learner development. The culmination of the advanced diploma will be an internship, which may include an international partner institute, where learners will undertake a government systems research project that will also be published and contribute to future learner development. Learners will be encouraged to share their research project reports broadly, and continue to apply and refine their leadership and governing practices throughout their lives.

Certificate Term 1

AGLP-150 - Intro. to Traditional Aboriginal Leadership

AGLP-151 - Leadership Concepts and Theories

AGLP-155 - Aboriginal Leadership Principles & Ethics

COMM-111 - Business Communication

ENGL-110 - English Composition

STSC-101 - Strategies for Success

Certificate Term 2

ACED-180 - Project Management

AGLP-111 - Aboriginal Governance & the Indian Act

AGLP-160 - Aboriginal Leadership & Governance Systems

BUSM-200 - Finite Mathematics

Diploma Term 1

ACED-100 - Introduction To Community Economic Development

ACED-161 - Negotiations and Contract Management

ACED-205 - Aboriginal Governance Development

FNPA-227 - The First Nations Fiscal and

FNPA-250 - Economics and Taxation

Course Listing for this program

ACED-100 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction To Community Economic Development
ACED 100 clarifies the importance of Community Economic Development as a strategy for the development of economically marginalized and depressed communities. The course introduces students to the theory and practice of Community Economic Development, and provides them with an insight as to combining both theory and practice to help build capacity and sustainability within a community. It promotes a future role and job for the Community Economic Development Officer, and highlights how the successful completion of the course could help increase the development of healthy Aboriginal communities. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: English 11, MATH 059 or Foundations Math 11 or permission of instructor

ACED-161 - Credits: 3.000
Negotiations and Contract Management
This course focuses on how to successfully negotiate in a variety of organizational situations. In addition, participants learn the basic features of entering into, and successfully managing, a contract. Both negotiations and contract management are examined in this course through experiential models and practices, focusing particularly on applications with a First Nations setting. The learning process is based on a combination of lecture inputs to introduce core concepts, individual and class exercises organizational skills, and allows students to monitor their own progress in the course. This course is targeted for those who are employed and/or have administrative experience. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: English 11, Algebra 11 and business writing experience or permission of instructor.

ACED-180 - Credits: 3.000
Project Management
Examines project management from a First Nations perspective, using models based on First Nations community projects. Experiential processes supplement theories for an introductory approach to managing projects, including finances, planning, scheduling and problem-solving. This course is targeted for those who are employed and/or have administrative experience. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: English 11, Algebra 11 and business writing experience or permission of instructor.

ACED-205 - Credits: 3.000
Aboriginal Governance Development
This course focuses on the twin topics of effective leadership and the role and mandate of the Board of Governors or Tribal Council. This includes balancing the leadership and management needs of an organization, and sharing these functions effectively with the board. The governance functions of the mission statement, the role of the board, recruiting and orienting new board members, and board-executive director relations will be critically examined through experiential models and practices. Students will keep a single notebook or binder to hold their written notes and class handouts. This will develop the student's organizational skills, and allow them to monitor their own progress in the course. This course is targeted for those who are employed and/or have administrative experience. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 050 / MATH 057 / and business writing experience.

AGLP-111 - Credits: 3.000
Aboriginal Governance & the Indian Act
This course outlines the effects of the Indian Act on current community development. It also examines the key issues affecting Aboriginal communities and explores best practices for leaders to move beyond the limitations of the Indian Act. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / MATH 057 / or English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12 and MATH 11 or Permission of the Instructor

AGLP-150 - Credits: 3.000
Intro. to Traditional Aboriginal Leadership
In this course, learners will research and develop an enhanced understanding of traditional Aboriginal leadership values, community protocols, ceremonies, responsibilities, and the role of Elders in traditional leadership and governance. Learners will also research historical events that have impacted Aboriginal communities in relation to governance, and their effect on traditional community governance and contemporary organizational leadership. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 060 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

AGLP-151 - Credits: 3.000
Leadership Concepts and Theories
In this course, learners will reflect on their current leadership style and explore other Indigenous leadership concepts and models. Learners will develop an understanding of interpersonal and group dynamics, and how they impact organizational effectiveness. Learners will also explore individual values and principles and their definitions. A focus on various organization models will be examined to better understand the difference between First Nations administration/management and governance leadership. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 060 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

AGLP-155 - Credits: 3.000
Aboriginal Leadership Principles & Ethics
In this course, learners will explore leadership values (Aboriginal and Western perspectives), understand how values are the foundation of an organization, and understand the importance of aligning values to develop effective institutions and governments. Learners will work to explore their own values, how they define each value, and their associated behaviour, and establish plans to align personal values to establish personal integrity in their leadership practice. Learners will also gain an understanding of governance principles and ethics, learn about common leadership challenges (Aboriginal and Western), learn how to observe issues/resolve interpersonal problems, and learn how to develop trust in group settings, and refine problem-solving skills. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 060 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

AGLP-160 - Credits: 3.000
Aboriginal Leadership & Governance Systems
This course is designed to teach learners how to undertake problem solving from a systems perspective-mapping an Aboriginal community's governance systems, and developing strategies to improve existing systems. Learners will utilize this knowledge to reflect upon real world community challenges, and apply their learning in the continued development of their year two internship. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / MATH 057 / or English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12 and/or Foundations of Math 11 or Permission of the Instructor

BUSM-200 - Credits: 3.000
Finite Mathematics
This course is designed to build a mathematical base for persons planning to become involved in administration and/or business management. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the need for business professionals to be able to use mathematics in research, statistics, problem solving and decision-making. This course is designed to expose students to the areas of mathematics that they are likely to require in their future jobs or areas of study. Topics include linear equations, sets and counting, probability, matrices, linear programming and solving financial problems. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / MATH-057 / or English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12; and MATH 057 or Foundations of Math 11; or permission of instructor

COMM-111 - Credits: 3.000
Business Communication
Business Communication teaches learners how to plan, organize, and write correct and effective reader friendly business documents appropriate for use in today's global business environment. Students will learn how to write business letters, memos, reports, and electronic messages. Each unit begins with a set of learning objectives. The assigned readings, together with the reinforcement exercises, are the principal learning activities. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: Program admission requirements

ENGL-110 - Credits: 3.000
English Composition
English 110 prepares students to write successful college essays. This course focuses on the writing process. Students will learn how to develop, organize, write, revise, document, and edit essays. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / or English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12 or permission of instructor.

FNPA-227 - Credits: 3.000
The First Nations Fiscal and
This course will provide participants with an examination of the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FSMA), including an introduction to the four major institutions created by the FSMA and the enabling tools created by the Act. In addition, the course will provide an opportunity for participants to learn how the enabling tools may be used to strengthen the financial administration and economic development capacities of First Nation communities. The (FSMA) is a Federal Government Act that, in 2005, established four institutions designed to provide First Nation band governments with the practical tools available to other governments for modern fiscal management - to provide for real property taxation powers of First Nations, to create a First Nations Tax Commission, First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority and First Nations Statistical Institute and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / MATH-057 / English 12, English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, or equivalent; or Foundations of Math 11 or permission of the instructor.

FNPA-250 - Credits: 3.000
Economics and Taxation
This course is designed to build on student's introductory courses in economics and public administration. Students who take this course will be able to understand and discuss the principles of economics and taxation in Canada and relate it to a First Nations context. The course places a special emphasis on the principles of economics; taxation policy in Canada; redistribution of wealth as a traditional economic practice among First Nations. The course will examine Aboriginal traditions, values and philosophies of wealth creation and distribution, as well as the foundations of municipal forms of taxation, their valuation, and their uses in a municipal or community context. Students will gain some exposure to taxation authorities established under Canadian federal law. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: BUSM 251

STSC-101 - Credits: 3.000
Strategies for Success
This course introduces students to higher learning and academic culture. Students will explore a variety of topics that will help them connect to resources that will aid in their student success, including test-taking strategies, note-taking, time management, research, student responsibilities and ethics, learning styles, and setting educational goals that will contribute to lifelong learning. In addition, students will connect with other academic supports like the Librarian and Student Success Centre and have access to Elders who will introduce learners to some Indigenous cultural traditions to help students maintain a healthy balance during their studies. More Details on this course