Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator
The Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) designation is for highly qualified Administrators, who meet today’s unique challenges and build capacity in Indigenous administration. The purpose of the CAPA Education Program is to enhance the knowledge, skills, professional development and capacity of senior administrators working in Indigenous communities and organizations.
The CAPA Program is specifically designed to set high quality competency standards and provide learning opportunities to enhance the knowledge and professional development of Senior Administrators and aspiring Senior Administrators working in Indigenous communities and organizations on-reserve, off-reserve and in remote, rural and urban settings. Through this program, Administrators will learn how to significantly enhance their workplace performance and successfully fulfill their mandates to provide optimal service to meet the needs of their communities and organizations.
In July 2013, the Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution at the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly, signalling their support of the CAPA as a credential when hiring personnel in administration and management positions
The CAPA Competencies are divided into four distinct knowledge areas, based on the Medicine Wheel, which is a holistic approach to maintaining balance.


They include the following four themes;
NORTH (White) Intellectual & Leadership Competencies
EAST (Yellow) Ethical & Personal Competencies
SOUTH (Red) Emotional & Relationship Competencies
WEST (Black) Fiscal & Management Competencies
Steps to the CAPA

CAPA Certificate
8 courses (online or in-person)

CAPA Diploma
8 courses (online or in-person)

CAPA Designation
Exam and two-years full time senior management, supervisory experience in an Indigenous environment
For Experienced Administrators
AFOA Canada is pleased to offer the CAPA Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR) option for Senior Administrators, Chief Executive Officers and Senior Managers working in Indigenous communities and organizations. You will be required to submit a completed CAPA PLAR evidence portfolio that successfully demonstrates that you have met or exceeded all CAPA competencies.
Why Become a CAPA
The purpose of CAPA is to enhance the knowledge and professional development of senior and aspiring administrators/managers working in Indigenous communities and organizations through professional training and a national certification process. The CAPA program will provide new networking opportunities, new environments for learning and access to best practices for working with Indigenous communities and organizations at all levels.
How to Become a CAPA
The CAPA Program is specifically designed to set high quality competency standards and provide the learning opportunities which will enable administrators/managers working in Indigenous communities and organizations to gain knowledge and skills to significantly enhance their work place performance. There are three difference options available to obtain CAPA Certification.
Upcoming Cohort
Cohort 22 – Hybrid Program
All virtual classes will be in Central time. All in-person events will be held in Winnipeg, MB.
| CAPA Cohort 22 | ||
| Classes | Schedule Date | Location |
| Orientation | October 7, 2026 | Virtual |
| CAPA 01 – Human Resource Management | October 20, 2026 | In-Person |
| CAPA 13 – Emotional Intelligence and Professional Development | October 21, 2026 | In-Person |
| CAPA 04 – Communication | October 22, 2026 | In-Person |
| CAPA 02 – Leadership | November 4, 2026 | Virtual |
| CAPA 05 – Governance Structure and Processes | November 18, 2026 | Virtual |
| CAPA 09 – Negotiation & Conflict Resolution | December 2, 2026 | Virtual |
| CAPA 11 – Critical Thinking and Analysis | December 16, 2026 | Virtual |
| CAPA 16 – Organization Behaviour and Capacity Development | January 6, 2027 | Virtual |
| CAPA 08 – Values, Ethics and Professionalism | January 20, 2027 | Virtual |
| CAPA 10 – Knowledge of Community | February 3, 2027 | Virtual |
| CAPA 12 – Knowledge of Culture and Language | February 17, 2027 | Virtual |
| CAPA 15 – Community Economic Development | March 3, 2027 | Virtual |
| CAPA 14 – Law and Legislative Awareness | March 24, 2027 | Virtual |
| CAPA 03 – Financial Oversight | April 6, 2027 | In-Person |
| CAPA 06 – Accountability and Performance | April 7, 2027 | In-Person |
| CAPA 07 – Planning and Organization | April 8, 2027 | In-Person |
| CAPA Exam Prep | April 21, 2027 | Virtual |
| Certification Exam Closing | May 5, 2027 | Virtual |
Registration Information
You must log in with your AFOA Canada account to register. If you do not have an account, please create one here: Create an Account.
If you already have an account but do not know your password, simply click the ‘Register Now’ button above and then ‘Forgot Password’. A password reset link will be sent to your email and you can then login to complete your registration.
More Information
We can help you understand your options and get you started on the path to the CAPA
