For Immediate Release

OTTAWA, Sept. 19, 2023 – AFOA Canada, AFOA British Columbia (AFOA BC) and Langara College are pleased to announce the first graduates from the Indigenous Financial Management Certificate. Thirteen women working in First Nations Governments across British Columbia achieved the certificate as part of the first-ever cohort of this program.

Students are recruited from Indigenous communities throughout B.C. to enroll in the program and complete all the course requirements to attain the certificate. They study fully accredited post-secondary accounting in combination with AFOA Canada’s Indigenous content. The ultimate goal is to build financial capacity within Indigenous Governments and communities, to support their goal of self-determination. The program was announced in September 2021.

“These 13 incredible women were dedicated to their own professional development, while working in First Nations Governments and maintaining their family and community responsibilities,” says Terry Goodtrack, President and CEO, AFOA Canada. “They created a supportive network amongst each other to uplift and encourage each other. We are incredibly humbled to be a part of this achievement.”

“I am so incredibly proud of these women who persevered through the 18 months to get this done.   They are truly a testament to the power of having a network of support around you to help you succeed” says Wendy Ham, Executive Director, AFOA BC “it was wonderful to be a part of their journey.”

Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO of Langara College noted “Langara College is very proud and honored to have played a role in this important endeavor.  My most heartfelt congratulations to the students who have worked so hard to accomplish this. They have blazed a critically important path that can now be followed by many. My most sincere appreciation, also, to the supportive families and the many people who have worked so hard to make this a reality.”

The Indigenous Financial Management Certificate is the first step towards the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation. Students enrolled in this program may also further their education by transferring several of these credits to Langara College or the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) program. AFOA Canada owns, administers, and awards the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation.

Cohort 2 began in Fall of 2022 and applications are currently being accepted for cohort 3. The deadline is September 30, 2023.

AFOA Canada

Entering its 25th year as an Indigenous Institution, AFOA Canada is the center for excellence and innovation in Indigenous management, finance, and governance. It is the only organization in Canada that focuses on the capacity development and day-to-day needs of those Indigenous professionals who are working in all areas of management, finance, band administration, leadership, and program management. AFOA Canada’s premise is that one of the keys to successful self-determination, creating a better life for Canada’s Indigenous people and a better future for the next generation, lies in improving the management skills of those responsible for the stewardship of Indigenous resources.

AFOA BC

Originally established in 1996, AFOA BC was founded in response to the need for a united voice for those working in the critical fields of Indigenous finance and administration in this province. AFOA BC subsequently played an instrumental role in creating the national organization AFOA Canada.

Together AFOA Canada and AFOA BC are recognized and certified to provide the latest in advanced Indigenous management, finance, and governance training, and continue to support Indigenous students to realize their dreams and goals.

Langara College – snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓

Langara College is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation. Langara was honoured to receive a name from Musqueam in their language, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, which means house of teachings. Langara is one of BC’s leading undergraduate post-secondary institutions providing University Studies, Career Studies, and Continuing Studies programs and courses to more than 23,000 students annually. Langara’s accounting related courses are accredited as transfer credit to the Chartered Professional Accountants program of professional studies.

For more information, please contact:

Krysta Elliott
Capacity Development & Communications Manager
AFOA BC
Phone (604) 925-6370 ext.  7040