• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

This course provides the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for senior Administrators, managers, and human resource professionals to create value through strategic management of human resources in the workplace. This course consists of four units which cover key aspects of HRM in an Aboriginal context.

Unit 1 – Overview of the Practice of Human Resources Management and Legislation
Unit 2 – Human Resource Policies and Procedures
Unit 3 – Staffing, Recruitment & Selection, Retention, and Compensation & Benefits
Unit 4 – Performance Management and Training and Development

This course covers the following:

• • • HRM, HRM functions, the HRM context and issues in Aboriginal organizations
    • Relevant legislation
    • Human Resource (HR) policies and procedures
    • HR processes (staffing, HR planning, HRM tools, compensation and benefits, discipline, termination, etc.)
    • Performance evaluation and appraisal, motivation, and how to address staff needs, perspectives, and concerns
    • Training and development of staff

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)
• Order required textbook below

*Online pricing may change

Aboriginal communities and organizations need senior Administrators and managers who can provide effective organizational and strategic leadership in pursuit of community/organizational goals.  This course provides the opportunity to acquire a comprehensive background in the theory and practice of leadership. This on-line course includes seven units which cover key aspects of leadership in an Aboriginal context.

Lesson 1 – Leadership Essentials
Lesson 2 – Values are Powerful Leadership Tools
Lesson 3 – Leaders are Role Models
Lesson 4 – Organizational Practices that Create Leaders
Lesson 5 – Leading Effective Teams
Lesson 6 – Community and Organizational Governance
Lesson 7 – Governance Meetings (Chief & Council and Board of Directors)

This course covers the following:

• • • Leadership styles, characteristics of a leader, core functions of leaders, key leadership competencies, effective leadership skills
    • Identification of values, organizational mission and vision, strategic goals and standards, achieving organizational goals
    • Leading, guiding, directing and motivating staff
    • Governance (Chief & Council and/or Board of Directors): what it is, roles and responsibilities, relationships, continuing improvement, informed decision making by governing body Integration of community perspectives in decision making
    • Conducting effective meetings with Chief and Council and/or Board of Directors
    • Creative and innovative management
    • Leadership theories and techniques

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

This course provides a general overview of financial concepts, many practical examples and best practices, to assist senior administrators in the execution of their daily operations and planning processes. The course includes a wide range of topics that all will likely see in the performance of their roles as senior administrators working in Aboriginal communities/organizations and provide them with information, tools and resource materials to help them succeed and excel. This course covers the following:

• • • Planning cycle – budgeting and forecasting
    • Financial concepts, principles and standards
    • Interpreting financial statements, balance sheets and other key financial documents for decision-making purposes.
    • Capital and Operational budgets.
    • Unique interrelationships between the community and financial parties
    • Ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial information being provided for decision making or information sharing purposes (example: through the development of appropriate financial policies)
    • Reporting requirements
    • The audit process and its application as a management tool
    • Application of risk assessment techniques and due diligence processes
    • Treasury

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

Professional administrators working in Aboriginal communities and organizations, require excellent written and verbal and interpersonal communication skills.  They also require knowledge in strategic approaches to communication in and outside of their organizations.  This course will provide learners with the ability to communicate effectively using both technical and strategic approaches. This course covers the following:

• • • Organizational communication
    • Tactical communications plan
    • Effective presentations
    • Stages of the writing process
    • Necessary skills for writing reports
    • Composing responses, briefing notes and news releases
    • Reviewing the practices, strategies and tools necessary to engage Council, community and its administration in effective and holistic communication processes

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

For senior Administrators to function effectively in Aboriginal communities and organizations, it is necessary for them to have comprehensive knowledge of the historical, external, and local governance context, structures and processes within which they function.  They must be able to integrate this knowledge into management practices within their work environments. This course covers the following:

• • • Historical context for traditional and contemporary governance
    • Treaty making, treaty implementation, self-government, and land claim settlement processes
    • Overview of Aboriginal political organizations
    • Towards self-government
    • Local community and organizational governance issues and structures
    • Roles and responsibilities of Chief and Council, Aboriginal organization Board of Directors and operations of administrations/organizations
    • Jurisdictions of different levels of government and how they impact Aboriginal communities and organizations
    • Federal, provincial and municipal processes and structures impacting Aboriginal communities and organizations
    • Fundamentals of planning and policy, media communications policy
    • New directions

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

In this course, students learn accountability concepts and practices within the context of the unique relationship among the Council/Board, community members/organization employees, and stakeholders and external partners. The focus is primarily on accountability related to financial management and internal and external financial reporting. Students will become familiar with: the use of performance management systems to build capacity and enhance performance within the organization and the community; and approaches to performance measurement.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

This course introduces students to key approaches to planning at the community level. It systematically considers large scale planning activities such as strategic economic development plans as well as detailed implementation and evaluation activities of smaller scale program plans. Students will be able to make a distinction between business planning and business cases and will become familiar with strategies to obtain and manage financial resources to realize a community vision. Interconnections between planning, financing, and creating a vision will allow students to expand their conceptual capacity while honing their analytic skills and gaining insight into consultation processes.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

Aboriginal communities and organizations need administrators and managers who are effective negotiators and who are able to resolve conflicts both within and outside their organizations. This course will provide foundational negotiation knowledge and skills, including how to prepare for and introduce a negotiation, identify what is important, and reach a culturally sensitive agreement that satisfies the interest for both sides. Using the framework of Attitudes, Process, and Skills, throughout the course you will be encouraged to self-reflect about your experiences, and to use this self-knowledge to inform your practice of negotiating a conflict. Case studies will help you learn how to conduct a conflict analysis, and you will develop your negotiating skills by critiquing demonstrations of negotiations, as well as practicing.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

As a professional working with, and in an Aboriginal community, one must be constantly aware that working in community requires knowledge and understanding, sensitivity, open-mindedness and the establishment of trust. This course will provide an introduction to Aboriginal communities in Canada, their social, legal and political history and their organization today.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)
• Required textbook (below)

Richard Paul & Linda Elder. (2014).
Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life. Second Edition,

We will focus on the decision making area known as ‘critical thinking and analysis (CT&A)’, and will give participants the necessary skills to use CT&A skills in day-to-day decision making, in both their personal and professional lives. Designed for new as well as experienced local administrators and a middle management cohort, CT&A provides decision makers with a proven set of skills to deal with complex, recurring and/or value laden problems. Furthermore, CT&A offers participants a variety of avenues and strategies to arrive at short and long-term solutions that are ethically based and encompass a wide view of the landscape.

This course covers the following:

• • • Introduction to Critical Thinking
    • Extracting Key Issues
    • Problem Solving and Decision Making
    • Providing Reasoned Advice in a Professional Manner

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

This course will explore issues related to First Nations, Métis, Inuit knowledge, culture and language.  Students will explore these issues within a community, provincial and national context and will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge by producing assignments that will be reflective of what they have learned.

At the end of the course, students will be expected to share their own personal and professional moral codes of ethics and how that will shape and or transform their current practice.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• • • Provide advice based on an understanding of Aboriginal values, traditions, and cultural practices
    • Demonstrate respect for local cultural values and customs
    • Demonstrate respect for local languages and dialects
    • Demonstrate respect for traditional knowledge and application in day-to-day work and decision making
    • Demonstrate support for diverse perspectives and points of view
    • Encourage and foster an environment that supports social and cultural learning and initiatives

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)
• Order required textbook below

*Online price subject to change

This course will provide students with a better understanding of how emotions and personality influence workplace effectiveness and the achievement of personal and organizational goals.  Students will be introduced to a number of important strategies for managers,  including stress management, conflict resolution, decision making, team building, and change management.  Strategies for integrating continuous learning into one’s work ethic and establishing networks are emphasized, as students learn to become more effective members or their organizations and communities by applying a holistic understanding of both their relationship to their emotions as well as their relationship with others.

Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

• • • Recognize how personality and emotional dynamics factor into decision-making processes.
    • Manage personal stress and conflict in the workplace and deal with difficult decisions.
    • Demonstrate positive personal attributes that will contribute to a team approach in the workplace.
    • Support people’s efforts and contributions through words and actions.
    • Encourage and promote a safe environment for staff to exchange and share ideas.
    • Develop and maintain positive networks and relationships.
    • Evaluate own personal and emotional performance.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes
• Order required textbook below

This course provides information on the legal framework for government and First Nations/Métis/Inuit relations, as well as a broad spectrum of legal issues and legislation that are applicable to organizations. Senior Administrators are expected to have a good understanding of legal matters and reduce potential liability for their organizations.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• • • Discuss relevant legislation that is applicable to the community/organization (example: Indian Act, FNLMA, etc.).
    • Explain concepts emerging from case law and legislation that affects the community/organization (example: duty to consult, etc.).
    • Evaluate the impact of decisions with respect to applicable federal and provincial legislation (example: employment standards and human rights legislation, etc.).
    • Apply applicable federal and provincial legislation to decision making across the organization (with board and stakeholders)/administration (with Chief and Council).
    • Update policies and procedures as laws and circumstances change or as gaps are realized.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)

This 15 week on-line course is directed towards Administrators working in Aboriginal organizations (not-for-profit and for profit). The purpose of the course is to assist Administrators to better situate themselves within the economic development contexts of their organizations and to engage with the core processes of planning and implementing economic development initiatives.  To this end, the course is designed to provide both a “micro” and “macro” perspective on economic development in Aboriginal communities.    From the “micro” perspective, the course touches on the essential components of strategic planning and business development.  From the “macro” perspective, the course touches on the issues surrounding development projects on Aboriginal lands and the various processes to create sustainable economic development opportunities.

Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

• • • Recognize infrastructure requirements as a foundation for future growth.
    • Evaluate emerging and longer-term opportunities and threats to achieving outcomes and meeting community / organizational needs.
    • Recognize emerging legislation, institutions and programs designed to support community / organizational economic development (FNLMA, FSMA, FNCIDA, etc.).
    • Describe industry and government relationships in Aboriginal community / organization and economic development.
    • Conduct research and develop proposals focused on community / organizational economic development.
    • Articulate the basic concepts behind successful negotiations with corporations / businesses in an economic development context (Example: duty to consult; joint ventures; Impact and Benefit agreements).
    • Describe the importance of trusts and other financial arrangements that support community / organizational and economic development.

• Members: $575 (plus applicable taxes)
• Non-members: $695 (plus applicable taxes)