Program Description
This 30-credit program is designed for First Nations and Inuit organizations to develop their role as leaders within the educational community. The program will focus on developing the core competencies of educational leaders, e.g., decision making and problem solving; fostering a self-reflective leader able to partner with parents to create community outreach; cultivating awareness of the holistic learning and developmental cycles of a child and the role of the educational leader in enhancing that development; maintaining the continuity of community and cultural values and aspirations within the structure of the administration of the school and other educational milieu; and understanding and supporting the pedagogical objectives and the administrative framework of the educational system.
This certificate may be taken concurrently and completed within the Bachelor of Education for Certified Teachers if the requirements for the B.Ed. are fulfilled. It may also be followed concurrently with the Certificate in Education - First Nations and Inuit.
More information about the Certificate in First Nations and Inuit Educational Leadership (program requirements, a full list of courses and course descriptions) can be found below.
First Nations and Inuit Educational Leadership (Cert.) (30 credits)
Offered by: Faculty of Education
Program credit weight: 30 credits
Program Description
The 30 credit Certificate in First Nations and Inuit Educational Leadership will focus on the following 5 objectives:
- developing the core competencies of educational leaders;
- fostering a self-reflective leader able to partner with parents to create community outreach;
- cultivating awareness of the holistic learning and developmental cycles of the child and the role of the educational leader in enhancing that development;
- maintaining the inter-connectedness and continuity of community and cultural values and aspirations within the structure of the administration of the school and other educational milieu; and
- understanding and supporting the pedagogical objectives and the administrative framework of the educational context and system.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Required Courses (18 credits)
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EDEC 203 | Communication in Education. | 3 |
Communication in Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Written and oral communication in Education (in English): emphasis on strategies for identifying, analyzing and solving writing and speaking problems. Course work based on academic and professional communication in education, with a particular focus on classroom communication. See course page for more information |
| EDEC 222 | Personnel Management and Group Skills. | 3 |
Personnel Management and Group Skills. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Management, effective team leadership, group dynamics, and communications skills crucial to First Nations and Inuit community-based educational leaders. Techniques of developing staff members' potential through staff development and quality performance. See course page for more information |
| EDEC 311 | Resource Management. | 6 |
Resource Management. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A problem-solving approach (needs assessment, projections, creative solutions, and proposals) will establish a procedure for proactive management of the First Nations and Inuit educational environment (human, financial, and physical resources). Topics include staffing, finance, budgeting, payroll, interviewing techniques, health and safety management, and building and equipment maintenance. See course page for more information |
| EDEC 312 | Practicum in Educational Leadership. | 3 |
Practicum in Educational Leadership. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A work-study course within a First Nations and Inuit educational milieu. Supervised practice and application of communication and group skills; staff development and evaluation; human, fiscal, and physical resource management; and community outreach. See course page for more information |
| EDEM 502 | Indigenous Family Dynamics and Supporting Institutions. | 3 |
Indigenous Family Dynamics and Supporting Institutions. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of Indigenous family dynamics and educational, social and administrative institutions that support families in the learning process. A study of the interdependency of the various institutions affecting the education of Indigenous children. Relationships of non-educational to educational services. See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits from the list below or any other course approved by the Director of Programs in First Nations and Inuit Education.
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Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EDEC 230 | Conflict Resolution. | 3 |
Conflict Resolution. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Methods and techniques for preventing and resolving conflicts in the workplace. Emphasis on culturally relevant strategies. See course page for more information |
| EDEC 233 | Indigenous Education. | 3 |
Indigenous Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An exploration of Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy, primarily in Canada but also world-wide. Consideration of the diverse social, cultural, linguistic, political, and pedagogical histories of Indigenous communities. Examines how a teacher's professional identity and practice can be influenced by an understanding of Indigenous knowledge and worldviews. See course page for more information |
| EDEC 244 | Issues in Aboriginal Education. | 3 |
Issues in Aboriginal Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The content of this course changes depending on the needs and interests of the students and the educational communities participating in programs administered by First Nations and Inuit Education. It always addresses issues related to Aboriginal education, e.g., local control, development of linguistic and cultural policies. See course page for more information |
| EDEC 262 | Media, Technology and Education. | 3 |
Media, Technology and Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Orientation to the equipment and systems of educational technology. Examination of theories of educational technology, media education and technology education and the exploration and development of possible applications in school settings. See course page for more information |
| EDEE 245 | Orientation to Education. | 3 |
Orientation to Education. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to planning and maintaining a learning environment in Indigenous classroom as a unique pedagogical setting. Study and application of differential learning styles. See course page for more information |
| EDEE 340 | Special Topics: Cultural Issues. | 3 |
Special Topics: Cultural Issues. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Seminars on Inuit culture or on selected aspects of the culture of First Nations peoples. Topics will include historical cultural contacts, native oral tradition, religious beliefs and cultural change. Preparation of a project on an aspect of First Nations or Inuit life will be required. See course page for more information |
| EDES 365 | Experiences in Communications. | 3 |
Experiences in Communications. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Personal development of students as communicators; involvement of the imagination in individual and group projects in language and in another chosen medium of communication: analysis of experiences in projects in relation to general problems of communication. See course page for more information |
Admission Information
This program is offered through community partners - there is no direct admission. For more information about partners and how to create a partnership with McGill First Nations and Inuit Education, see our Partners page.
Course Delivery Method
The Office of First Nations and Inuit Education works collaboratively to structure the course delivery method with the Partner. The sequence of courses, the location, the dates are all decided together- McGill and the Partner. The programs are customized to meet the McGill requirements as well as the Partner’s needs. Examples of course delivery methods include; face to face courses, blended courses using technology for follow up and support, community based as well as courses offered on McGill campus. The uniqueness of the course delivery method is the attentiveness that is paid to the students’ learning and well-being.
OFNIE Contact Information
Stephen Peters
Director, Office of First Nations and Inuit Education
Tel.: (514) 398-4527 Ext. 00859
ofnie.education [at] mcgill.ca (Email)
Jim Howden
Assistant Director, Office of First Nations & Inuit Education
Tel.: (514) 398-4527 Ext. 09855
ofnie.education [at] mcgill.ca (Email)
Program information is organized for two distinct groups:
Prospective Students Currently Registered
