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.

AFOA Canada CAPA
CAPA competencies represented as a medicine. At the top is white (North), to the left is black (West), to the right is East (yellow) and at the bottom is red (South)

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

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CAPA Certificate

8 courses (online or in-person)

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CAPA Diploma

8 courses (online or in-person)

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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.

Option 1 - CAPA Hybrid Program (Scheduled Cohort)

Option 1 – CAPA Hybrid Program (National Cohort)

Participants attend 16 intensive classes and two half-day information sessions, delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person learning. Each cohort is assigned a designated host city for its in-person sessions, which remains consistent throughout the program. The location is determined in advance by AFOA Canada and may vary by cohort across Canada.

Program Fees
(*New 2026 Prices*)

The total cost consists of a Program Application Fee and Tuition, with rates based on membership status and are subject to applicable taxes.

Program Application Fee

  • Member: $500.00
  • Non-Member: $575.00

Tuition Fee

  • Member: $8,460.00
  • Non-Member: $9,810.00

Please Note: Travel, lodging, and meals are not included and is the responsibility of the student. Light refreshments are served during in-person classes.

Option 2 - Online (Independent)

The CAPA Online Program requires the completion of 16 online courses:

  1. CAPA 1-8 for a CAPA Certificate; and
  2. CAPA 9-16 for a CAPA Diploma

Please refer to the CAPA Online Course Program for a complete description.

Option 3 - PLAR Program

(Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition)

The CAPA PLAR requires applicants to submit a Portfolio that will successfully demonstrate through the assessment process that all CAPA competencies have been met or exceeded.

Please refer to the CAPA PLAR Program for a complete description.

Option 4 - Customized (Community Cohort)

The CAPA Community Cohort brings the program directly to a specific community or organization.

AFOA Canada works with a host community or organization to deliver the program to a dedicated group. The organizing community or organization may choose to have the cohort delivered virtually or in person.

If you are interested in bringing a CAPA cohort to your community or organization, please contact education@afoa.ca to discuss availability, delivery options, and next steps.

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

Online Courses

CAPA PLAR Program

Partnerships

We can help you understand your options and get you started on the path to the CAPA

For more information

Toll-free: 1-866-722-2362