Program Information
Indigenous Leadership and Management 2017, photo by Donald Lee.
Dates
Registration deadline: April 22, 2025
Program dates: June 01 – June 06, 2025
Overview
The ability to design, direct, and benefit from evaluation is an inherent right. Indigenous people have long used evaluation practices to guide decisions, sustain cultures, and nurture communities. Today, evaluation serves as a powerful tool to support Indigenous practices and shape programs. It amplifies Indigenous voices, ensuring their values, needs, and aspirations are central to decision-making.
This program, grounded in Right Relations and the Wise Practices leadership model, invites exploration of accountable leadership. It emphasizes good governance, ethical practices, and honoring Indigenous identity and culture. Through Indigenous Evaluation Frameworks, participants will gain skills and tools to implement and assess community-driven change, reflecting community values and cultural practices.
Description
Indigenous Evaluation Frameworks is a comprehensive program designed for those seeking to deepen their understanding of evaluation practices. This program focuses on the use of culturally aligned evaluation tools and assessment processes that support community change and growth.
With guidance from the Elder, participants will share traditional and spiritual wisdom while connecting with the land and cultural teachings.
Program highlights
- Explore the roots of Indigenous evaluation practices and learn how to integrate these strategies into processes.
- Gain insight into the history and context of Western evaluation methods, their relevance, and differences.
- Take part in information-sharing, lectures, and exercises designed to help create an evaluation framework that reflects participants' communities or organizations.
- Incorporate reflective leadership practices and enhance the ability to lead with integrity.
- Learn practical tools and techniques to implement and assess community-driven change.
Eligibility
This program will be beneficial to Indigenous leaders, administrators, senior management who are interested in program design, delivery and evaluation, and/or applying wise practices leadership, including
- consultants who work closely with Indigenous nations and organizations.
- leaders in cultural organizations and non-profits.
- provincial and federal policy analysts and evaluators.
This program prioritizes Indigenous learners and those working for Indigenous communities and organizations.
Applicant must be 18+ at the start of the program.
Inclusivity Statement
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply.
Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance and Management Excellence
Indigenous leadership programs are strategically focused on building your capacity to successfully assist your community and organization. Individuals who successfully complete a program from each of the seven wise practice elements will earn a Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance, and Management Excellence.
Itinerary
Participants are required to dedicate approximately 40 hours during the week to this program.
Sample Itinerary - subject to change
Each day will open with a smudge and teachings and close with a daily wrap-up.
Sunday
- Welcome, opening remarks & program logistics
Monday
- Introductions and relationship building
- Evaluations 101
- Group activity
Tuesday
- Indigenous evaluation frameworks
- What if we had Indigenous evaluation?
- Arts experience
Wednesday
- Group activity
- Walking in two worlds with guest speaker
- Guided land-based outdoor experience
Thursday
- What is data collection?
- Assessing and understanding data
- Campfire dice activity
- Groupwork for presentations
Friday
- Program debrief and closing circle
Faculty
Alice Kaquitts
Alice Kaquitts is a proud member of the Stoney Nakoda Wesley First Nation. Alice is a respected elder and community leader in the Stoney Nakoda nation and is the daughter of Alice Kaquitts Sr. and Thomas Simeon, and great-granddaughter of renowned Chief Hector Crawler. Alice grew up in a traditional way of life where Nakoda language, culture and protocols were taught and followed.
Alice’s formal education includes a diploma from Mount Royal College and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Calgary. Alice has been working within the Stoney Nakoda Nation in senior level positions for over 20 years. Alice is the former Director and Co-Founder of Nakoda Solutions and the Founder of Okiyabi Consulting, where she has developed teaching models on Traditional Parenting, Community Reconciliation and Cultural Awareness training. Alice has also previously worked with the IAP process in translating Nakoda testimonies fort Nakoda Residential School survivors.
Alice currently co-hosts the radio show “Conversational Nakoda” on Windspeaker Radio FM 88.1, serves on the planning committee for the National Gathering of Elders, and works with the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Mount Royal University on the imbedding of Indigenous Knowledge into course curriculum.
Alice is a healthy, proud grandmother to 5 beautiful grandchildren and mother to two adult sons, and enjoys passing on her traditional knowledge and teachings to the future generations.
Faculty
Kim van der Woerd
Kim van der Woerd is a member of the ‘Namgis First Nation from Alert Bay, BC. Kim is the owner of Reciprocal Consulting, an Indigenous consulting firm specializing in program evaluation and research. She has over 20 years of experience conducting local, provincial and national program evaluations managing over 200 projects. Kim completed her PhD in Psychology at Simon Fraser University. Her dissertation was the recipient of the Michael Scriven Dissertation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Evaluation Theory, Methodology or Practice, 2007. Kim also received the Canadian Evaluation Society Contributions to Evaluation in Canada 2014 Award for her mentorship of Indigenous students. More recently, Kim was awarded the 2018 BC Community Achievement Award, and the 2018 Mitchell Award through the BC Achievement Foundation; as well as the Indigenous Business Award 2018 for businesses with 3-10 people. Kim and her team at Reciprocal Consulting are passionate about social justice, and culturally responsive research and evaluation. Kim has also been active in her community serving on many boards locally and nationally.
Faculty
Sofia Vitalis
Sofia Vitalis was born and raised on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, and mi ce:p kʷətxʷiləm Nations. Sofia is of mixed ancestry, though her strongest cultural roots are through her maternal side; connecting to her tierra in Colombia, South America. Sofia has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Simon Fraser University, where her passion was deepened for critical reflection of systems and heart-centred value that affect all aspects of her work and life. Passions she was able to foster and grow through the work she does at Reciprocal Consulting. In her role, Sofia is passionate about adapting systems to meet people's needs as well as working collaboratively. Sofia also thrives on fostering relationships and deepen understanding through the organizational and community education work she is privileged to do at Reciprocal Consulting.
Sofia has a special affinity toward systems in public health and access to safe inclusive services, and she plans to broaden her knowledge in this area in a Masters of Arts degree within the next few years.
Faculty
Amber Bedard
Amber Bedard is a member of Piikani First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy in Alberta and Montana. Amber has a diverse background in Indigenous research and consultation, primarily working within program evaluation in the public and private sectors. She is passionate about ensuring research and evaluation is done in a culturally responsive and safe manner, while also advocating for deep learning and creating space for Indigenous knowledge. Amber believes that this work must center, appreciate, and uplift the strengths of Indigenous communities and histories, and work to create mutually beneficial pathways that honour Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. Amber now resides on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, and mi ce:p kʷətxʷiləm Nations.
Faculty
What's Included
Accommodation
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Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other participants on campus and focus on your projects while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Meal Plan
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Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The Full meal plan is equivalent to $73 credit per day, equivalent to three meals at our Buffet service.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Join in group seminars/workshops.
Banff Centre Amenities
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- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness equipment.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$35 application is included in the program fee.
Funding
Limited funding is available to help some participants with program fees.
- Funding is available for Indigenous participants or those working for Indigenous communities and organizations.
- Requests are reviewed based on submission of the Financial Assistance form available in the Student Portal.
- Funding amounts vary and do not cover 100% of the program fee. Participants should expect to pay a minimum of 25% of the program fee.
- Participants may be eligible for a maximum of two programs per year..
Information about funding opportunities for Leadership programs can be found here.
Steps to follow
- Select "Yes" to "I would like to apply for financial assistance" during registration.
- Log into your Student Portal to complete your funding application form within 48 hours of submitting your initial registration.
- Timely submission of the funding form is required in order to be considered.
Cancellations
All participants must pay a confirmation fee of $262.50 within fourteen days of registration. We reserve the right to cancel registrants if payment and confirmation is not received within fourteen days.
Participants who are awarded financial aid who cancel their registration within the cancellation policy deadlines may be ineligible to receive Banff Centre funding for a period of 12 months.
Registrations are non-transferable and cannot be applied to different programs or used on behalf of other registrants.
More information on our cancellation police can be found here.
Tax Information
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and all financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormIf you have requested financial assistance,please ensure that you log in to your Student Portal within 48 hours of registration, to submit your funding request form.
If you do not require financial assistance, please ensure that you log in to your Student Portal and complete confirmation of attendance and full payment as soon as possible, but no later than 7 days from completing step 1.
Note that non-completion within the timelines stated may result in your place being offered to the waitlist.
Disclaimer
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.