The University of Saskatchewan is launching a new certificate program for aboriginal land managers.
The Indigenous Peoples Resource Management Program will be an intensive, practical training program designed for land and resource managers from First Nations across Canada.
It was developed in consultation with the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association and the federal Indian and northern affairs department and will be the first of its kind in Canada, offering courses in land management, water and resource use and conservation, law, environmental studies and economics.
The program will begin this August and the first certificates will be awarded next spring.
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“First Nations land managers are dealing with a variety of issues, everything from property and estate issues to public works, toxic weed control, ranching, casino construction and water use,” said program director Marilyn Poitras.
“It’s a job that exists within every band and it’s one of the most respected and demanding positions within (First Nation communities) but it’s one that’s not recognized professionally. These are leaders that end up in these roles and they fulfil a very important function so they should be recognized professionally for the job that they do.”
Poitras said the program will consist of six courses and will teach land managers about a broad variety of issues that can arise when First Nation people manage land and resources.
It will also familiarize land managers with the tools and professional services that are available and help them develop the skills needed to perform their duties more efficiently and economically.
Poitras said the certificate program has the potential to be expanded into a diploma or a degree program. In its first year, however, it will be a 36-week certificate program combining in-class and at-home study.
“It’s something we call executive learning,” Poitras said.
“These people all have full-time jobs and some of them have families as well, so for practical reasons, the course will include … face-to-face intensive training and … at-home study.”
Interest in the program has been steady with inquiries coming from First Nations across the country.
Aboriginal leaders from the United States and New Zealand have also expressed an interest.
Poitras said the U of S is ideally suited to offer the program, particularly because of its track record in establishing other native training courses such as those offered through the Indigenous Peoples Resource Management Program and the Native Law Centre.
