Undergraduate FAQ

Knowledge about Indigenous governance is applicable to all sectors (non-profit, private and public). Completion of this Certificate indicates to employers that you possess specialized knowledge about Indigenous governance principles. Upon graduating, you will receive the Certificate, as well, and your academic transcript will highlight the specialization that you have in Indigenous governance.

The Calls to Action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Articles from the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are becoming increasingly important in Alberta and Canada. Adequate instruction, from an Indigenous studies perspective, will provide you with the necessary understanding and skills to lead, work, or partner with Indigenous businesses, communities, and organizations.

More generally, Indigenous studies provides an important lens to nuance how governance is approached in a myriad of settings.

The Indigenous Governance and Partnership certificate program provides students with the necessary understanding and skills to effectively lead, work, or partner with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, communities, businesses, and governments. The program of study centres on developing knowledge while increasing analytical and applied skills suited to the unique governance issues and opportunities facing Indigenous peoples and their non-Indigenous partners today.

NS 430 (Capstone in Indigenous Governance and Partnership) is a core course in the Certificate. Through Community Service Learning (CSL) at the University of Alberta, we partner you with an Indigenous organization, where you will complete a 20 hour placement. This opportunity will enhance your professional network and provide you with the opportunity to apply theoretical curriculum to the practice of governance in an organization.

There are additional Native Studies courses that feature an applied component, often through blended learning course delivery, where students are instructed in the use of media and technology. These skills can be applied in your career, can be included on your resume, and featured in a portfolio of your work.

The curriculum features theory and practice for relationship building and partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous entities, including best practices for: successful partnerships; leadership; government; management and administration; business growth for First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations, and their non-Indigenous counterparts.

Please refer to the Faculty's website here for more information on where graduates are employed. Similarly, Certificate graduates have found employment in a myriad of settings within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Some examples include working in Indigenous policy and law, the governance of health care and education, band leadership, and as advisors on Indigenous engagement.

Yes! The Faculty of Native Studies provides a common ground for all students to learn, research, explore and critically examine the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples and communities, and their relationships with Canada and other countries. The CIGP provides the knowledge and skills to work or partner with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, communities, businesses, and governments. Chances are your daily life intersects with the life of an Indigenous person. Being aware of the ways in which we are all connected means you will be better equipped to understand the complexity of Canada and function as a better informed citizen. You will also be more likely to succeed in whatever career you choose if you understand perspectives, values and needs of Indigenous communities.

Please contact the FNS Senior Coordinator of Admissions and Student Services, Freda Cardinal (nsadvise@ualberta.ca), to apply for the Embedded of Stand Alone Certificate with the Faculty of Native Studies or to discuss transfer credit you may be able to receive. The transfer credit will depend on whether you are applying to the Embedded or Stand Alone Certificate.

Information on CIGP Certificate courses can be found here.

Students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 on all Certificate courses. Students who do not maintain this level of academic performance may be permitted to continue under academic warning or may be required to withdraw from the certificate program. A review of academic performance is conducted for each student at the end of Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.

If you are a current undergraduate U of A student, you can complete a CIGP by taking a minimum of 6 courses and often these can be fit into your existing degree requirements. In most cases, students do not need to take any additional courses, or pay any additional fees, in order to complete the requirements of a Certificate.

Many of the certificate courses are offered in blended format, where a portion is online, to reduce the number of face-to-face hours that will be required of you. This means that you can complete more of the class work remotely, e.g. at home, based on your own schedule.

Also, Certificate classes are scheduled in a myriad of ways, such as having in-class requirements at lunch time, in the evening, or in block format so that you need only come to campus once per week.

You can be admitted to the Embedded Certificate anytime throughout the academic semester by applying with the FNS Senior Coordinator of Admissions and Student Services (nsadvise@ualberta.ca). It is strongly recommended that you submit your application within the first two years of your degree program to plan out your required and elective courses because some of the elective courses are offered every two years.

Please contact the Native Studies Senior Coordinator of Admissions and Student Services at nsadvise@ualberta.ca for assistance with your application and course scheduling. Online applications can be completed here.