Certificate in FNI Educational Leadership advising documents
A complete list of courses, course descriptions and prerequisites 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.
Required Courses (18 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| EDEC 203 | Communication in Education. | 3 |
Communication in Education. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 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.
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: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 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 First Nations and Inuit Education | 3 |
Issues in First Nations and Inuit Education Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Issues related to First Nations and Inuit 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: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 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: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 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 |
Upcoming Courses
Coming soon: a list of planned courses in the Certificate in First Nations and Inuit Educational Leadership program, divided by partner. Only students who have been recommended to McGill by the relevant partner may take these courses. Also, this information is unofficial: the Minerva Class Schedule remains the official class schedule.
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
