FIRST NATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA
First Nations University of Canada Expands Outreach Program to Build Project Delivery Capacity in Indigenous Communities

As First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples move towards sovereignty in governing and managing their initiatives, funding constraints demand communities to manage their projects with exceptional efficiency and effectiveness to ensure important change initiatives are successfully completed, on time and within budget. Project management expertise within Indigenous communities is a critical skill currently in high demand across Canada.

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) has recently partnered with Procept Associates Ltd., Canada's leading project management training company to help develop the required project governance and management skills and launch a new Project Management Certificate Program through its Indigenous Continuing Education Centre (ICEC). The ICEC, launched in January 2022, has expanded from primarily providing Indigenous awareness and reconciliation training to Corporate Canada to working directly with members of Indigenous communities to build capacity within their project delivery capabilities.

Through the Project Management Certificate Program, the first cohort will align with National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2022. Dr. Bob Kayseas, Vice President Academic at FNUniv, notes the significance of this timing: "We chose to get the first group started at this time as a way of celebrating efforts to reclaim sovereignty over our projects. With all the changes underway in Indigenous communities across the country, we strongly feel that the time for this type of training is here. The First Nations University of Canada is leading the way in developing the capacity of our peoples."

Individuals or organizations interested in receiving more information on the ICEC and its Project Management Certificate may contact the Director at icec@firstnationsuniversity.ca or visit www.fnuniv.ca/icec.