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Program Information

Participants in an Indigenous Leadership course at Banff Centre

Photo by Rita Taylor

Dates

Registration deadline: March 25, 2025

Program dates: May 4 May 9, 2025

Overview

Inherent Right to Indigenous Governance looks at the foundational principles of effective and responsible governance. Participants will explore historical and contemporary Indigenous governance models while reflecting on their own gifts, responsibilities, and legal entitlements. The program encourages participants to envision and identify practical actions for use in their roles and communities. 

Indigenous nations and organizations are at various stages of exercising local sovereignty. The Supreme Court of Canada, in the Van der Peet case, stated that the sovereignty of Indigenous societies must be reconciled with Crown sovereignty. Through exploring traditional Indigenous governance and colonial systems, participants will gain a deeper understanding of what a reconciled model of governance might look like.

Description

Successful self-governance begins with a complete understanding of the constitutional and legal framework regarding the various levels of governments. Participants will explore implementing self-government agreements through examples of innovative responses, case studies and group work. 

With guidance from the Elder, participants will share traditional and spiritual wisdom while connecting with the land and cultural teachings.

Program highlights

  • Explore examples of traditional forms and processes of governance.
  • Examine traditional political philosophies and worldviews. 
  • Understand the transition from traditional governance to legislated governance.
  • Reconcile traditional and contemporary forms of governance. 
  • Analyze sovereignty and the inherent right to self-determination.
  • Gain an understanding of legal frameworks for various levels of government. 
  • Review a self-government case study.

Eligibility

This program will be beneficial for Indigenous leaders, administrators, and senior management interested in learning more about self-governance including 

  • senior management and personnel working with or within Indigenous organizations. 
  • First Nations, Inuit, and Métis regional or tribal executive directors.
  • consultants and legal counsel who work closely with Indigenous nations and organizations.
  • provincial and federal policy analysts and negotiators.

Priority is give to 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 and program overview

Monday

  • Program Overview 
  • What is Indigenous law and governance? 
  • Conflicts Indigenous peoples face in historical context  
  • Relationality and the Colonial program of divide and rule

Tuesday

  • Innovative responses
    • land back 
    • Child Welfare 
  • Intro to medicine walk 
  • Medicine walk 
  • Innovative responses: Buffalo Treaty

Wednesday

  • Innovative responses continued
    • Urban relations
    • Banishment
  • Embodied Governance in Practice 

Thursday

  • Breakout working groups
  • Check-in: where are you at? 
  • Breakout working groups
    • Where are you?
    • Persistent problems
    • Creative responses to challenges of implementation
  • Check-in: persistent problems? 
  • Breakout working groups 
  • Check-In: creative responses to challenges of implementation 
  • Breakout working groups

Friday

  • Short presentations & discussion from breakout working groups 
  • Closing reflections

Faculty

What's Included

Accommodations
Accommodation Read more Close

Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.

Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.

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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 Regular meal plan is equivalent to $53 credit per day, equivalent to two meals at our Buffet service.

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Join in group seminars/workshops.

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<ul><li>Enrich your experience and get to know other participants on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/participant-resources" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Participant Resources</a> team.</li><li>Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/sally-borden-fitness-and-recreation" target="_blank">Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.</a></li><li>Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/events" target="_blank">events</a>.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/library-archives" target="_blank">Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives</a> are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty</li></ul>

Fees & Financial Assistance

Total Fee (includes registration, tuition, meals and accommodation)
$3 500.00
+GST

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 policy 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 Form

If 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.

Contact Us

For more information please contact:

Phone
888.255.6327