Certificate in Education FNIE advising documents
A complete list of courses, course descriptions and prerequisites can be found below.
This 60-credit program provides an opportunity for Algonquin, Cree, Inuit, Mi'gmaq, Mohawk, and Naskapi people to become qualified as teachers. It is offered on a part-time basis in Indigenous communities throughout Quebec in collaboration with, for example, the Cree School Board, the Kativik Ilisarniliriniq and various Mi'gmaq, Mohawk, Algonquin and education authorities.
Quebec graduates of this program receive Quebec Ministère de l'Éducation certification to teach at the elementary school level in Indigenous schools.
On completion of the Certificate requirements, trainees may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Education - Kindergarten and Elementary Education - First Nations and Inuit Studies or Bachelor of Education for Certified Teachers program and consult the Program Adviser to determine Advanced Standing.
Time Limit Curriculum and Instruction: Orientation to the culture and community of school and to teaching as a profession. Focus on the general functioning of schools and complexity of the teacher role. Competencies and working professional portfolios will be addressed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: 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.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Preparation for the second field experience through development of basic practices in planning and teaching in elementary school classrooms. Competencies and working professional portfolios will be addressed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Admin & Policy Studies in Ed: 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.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Student Teaching: Students are assigned to a school for a "participant observer" field experience. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships & Student Affairs website at http://www.mcgill.ca/isa.
Offered by: Education - Dean's Office Student Teaching: Supervised student teaching. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field
Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships and Student Affairs website at www.mcgill.ca/isa.
Offered by: Education - Dean's Office Student Teaching: Supervised student teaching in a school. Students are expected to apprise themselves of Field Experience dates, duration and responsibilities as outlined on the Internships and Student Affairs website at www.mcgill.ca/isa.
Offered by: Education - Dean's Office Ed Psych & Couns (Psychology): Selected theories, models, and concepts relevant to planning and reflecting upon educational practice and improvement. Overview of development, learning, thinking, motivation, individual difference, etc. In relation to applications in classroom teaching and learning, the complementary role of counsellors and psychologists, educational computing and technology. The Youth Protection Act.
Offered by: Educational&Counselling Psych Ed Psych & Couns (Inclusive): Developing, planning, implementing and evaluating effective learning programs for diverse learners, and consideration of their more general applicability. Adapting curriculum and instruction for learners with varying abilities, learning styles, and needs. Collaboration with students, families, and other educators (or stakeholders) in the instructional process. Application of adaptations at the classroom and school level for all students in inclusive schools.
Offered by: Educational&Counselling Psych 6 credits from the following language courses according to language group and fluency:
Curriculum and Instruction: Students will develop a basic knowledge of the Algonquin phonological system and gain some understanding of the morphological and syntactic rules, the stress and intonation patterns which control the language, and how Algonquin culture is reflected in the language.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Continues the study of Algonquin syntax and morphology with the objective of improving student literacy. Focus on the oral skills associated with basic and classroom interaction and the difficulties encountered by additional language learners. Additional emphasis on implications for additional language teaching
and learning.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will learn the Algonquin phonological system. They will focus on animate/inanimate and inflections for agreement, aspect, tense and number. They will analyze word generation conventions and derive Algonquin labels to describe how Algonquin operates.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Continues earlier study of the Algonquin language with a focus on complex tenses,
complex sentence structures (e.g., conditionals, subordination, embedded structure), and nominalizing verbs and verbalizing nouns. Objective is to develop reading and writing skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will learn their own phonology and see how the phonological system is reflected in dialects. They will learn the spelling rules and develop their literacy skills in syllabics. Finally, they will derive Cree grammatical terms and begin to study Cree morphology and syntax.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will study the morphology and syntax analysis of Cree at a more advanced level and begin the study of word generation conventions. In addition, features of Cree that are difficult in first language acquisition will be highlighted and implications for classroom practice discussed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Structure and morphology of Inuktitut for teachers working in that language. Use of orthography, both qaliujaaqpait (Roman script) and qaniujaaqpait (syllabics) as established by the Inuit Cultural Association.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: A study of Indigenous language phonology and structure, emphasizing the connection between the two, demonstrating the orderliness of many dialectic differences.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: The final course in a set dealing with Indigenous phonology and structure. An understanding of basic Indigenous syntax in particular, rules governing verb and possessive endings.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will gain a basic understanding of Mi'gmaw syntax and morphology, and stress and intonation patterns of the language. Students will develop literacy and learn what makes Mi'gmaw distinctive as well as how the culture is reflected in the language.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Continues the study of Mi'gmaw syntax and morphology with the objective of improving student literacy. Focus on the oral skills associated with basic and classroom interaction and the difficulties encountered by additional language learners. Additional emphasis on implications for additional language teaching
and learning.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: An introduction to the study of the phonological system of Mi'gmaw for the purpose of literacy skills development. Explores Mi'gmaw syntax and morphology, word generation conventions, and Mi'gmaw labeling in order to develop understanding of the functioning of the Mi'gmaw language.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will continue their syntactical and morphological analysis of Mi'gmaw and further develop their reading and writing skills. Features of Mi'gmaw that are difficult for language learners will be highlighted and implications for classroom practice discussed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will develop a basic knowledge of the Mohawk phonological system and have some understanding of the morphological and syntactic rules, the stress and intonation patterns which control the language, and how Mohawk culture is reflected in the language.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Continues the study of Mohawk syntax and morphology with the objective of improving student literacy. Focus on the oral skills associated with basic and classroom interaction and the difficulties encountered by additional language learners. Additional emphasis on implications for additional language teaching
and learning.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Students will learn the Mohawk phonological system (including glottal stop, length mark, up and down stress). Syntactically and morphologically, they will focus on the pronoun system (tense included). Word generation conventions will be analyzed and Mohawk labels developed to describe how the language functions.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Continues earlier study of the predictable items in the Mohawk language and introduces an examination of non-predictable items: irregular verbs, reflexive and semi-reflexive verbs, purposive stem, translocative, etc. Objective is to develop reading and writing skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: The phonological system, including syntax and morphology. Word generation conventions will be analyzed and labels will be developed to describe how the language functions.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: The morphology and syntax analysis of Naskapi at a more advanced level, including the study of word generation conventions. Importance will be placed on developing reading and writing skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed 27 credits from one of the three following Stream course lists:
Stream A: Generalist In order to ensure appropriate choices, students select from the list of Complementary Courses in consultation with the Program Adviser. 27 credits from the following list: Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional. Topics will vary and be chosen from a range identified by instructors and students.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: This course introduces students to concepts and strategies for organizing, teaching, and evaluating learning in classes in which there are students from two, three or four grade levels.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: Ideas essential for the development of a coherent educational theory and sound professional practice. Reflections on: the nature of the person, of reality, of knowledge, and of value; the aims of education, the nature of the school and the curriculum, the roles and responsibilities of professional educators.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: 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.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Different approaches to language arts education in the contexts of kindergarten and elementary classrooms will be investigated. Explores current research and theories related to language and literacy development, learning and teaching.
Opportunities for cultivating techniques for aligning language arts pedagogy, curriculum, instruction and assessment will be provided.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education: The first of two courses specially designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Focused on key areas of what teachers need to know and be able to do to support students' development of mathematical understanding (focus on mathematics content, students' reasoning, and pedagogy). Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec elementary mathematics program.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Introduction to planning and maintaining a learning environment in Indigenous classroom as a unique pedagogical setting. Study and application of differential learning styles.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Methods of teaching syllabic reading and writing. Understanding the principles of sight word reading instruction, child observation, material development and guided instruction.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education : An orientation to the Kindergarten curriculum. Integration of the school subject areas (language arts, second language, mathematics, social sciences, science, expressive arts, moral and religious education, and physical education) in a manner appropriate to the developmental level of the pre-school child.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Science as a means of exploring and explaining our environment. A study of some of the fundamental concepts and process skills common to most elementary programs.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education : A study of science programs and teaching strategies appropriate for providing elementary school children with an appreciation of the nature and method of science inquiry.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Designed for elementary school teachers. A multi-disciplinary and cross-curricular investigation of various citizenship education themes, geographical regions and historical periods as outlined in the Quebec Education Program.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education : Programs, materials and strategies for social studies from Kindergarten through grade six.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Selection and use of literature suitable for children in the elementary school.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education: The second of two courses specifically designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Provides opportunities for the development of increasingly sophisticated knowledge and practices specific to elementary mathematics teaching. Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec modern elementary mathematics program.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Theory-based strategies for setting up, managing and teaching in the elementary school classroom. Methods for integrating the individual subject areas in the elementary school curriculum, using the Quebec curriculum as the primary example. Professional portfolios and professional competencies will be addressed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: The role of evaluation within kindergarten/elementary school programs. Topics include the kinds of information needed, different techniques for collecting that information, and ways of interpreting it to make educational decisions. Principles and a variety of methods for evaluation are discussed and practiced.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed 21 credits from the following list: Curriculum and Instruction: This course introduces students to concepts and strategies for organizing, teaching, and evaluating learning in classes in which there are students from two, three or four grade levels.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: 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.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Different approaches to language arts education in the contexts of kindergarten and elementary classrooms will be investigated. Explores current research and theories related to language and literacy development, learning and teaching.
Opportunities for cultivating techniques for aligning language arts pedagogy, curriculum, instruction and assessment will be provided.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Introduction to planning and maintaining a learning environment in Indigenous classroom as a unique pedagogical setting. Study and application of differential learning styles.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Theory-based strategies for setting up, managing and teaching in the elementary school classroom. Methods for integrating the individual subject areas in the elementary school curriculum, using the Quebec curriculum as the primary example. Professional portfolios and professional competencies will be addressed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: A study of the teacher's role in the total school health program at both elementary and high school levels; current issues in contemporary health education.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Designed to prepare students to teach physical recreation activities of their Indigenous culture such as Indigenous games, stunts, combatives, gymnastics and dance activities belonging in the cultural context.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: This course will examine the role of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water in a balanced diet. Students will be introduced to the affects of nutrition on exercise, sport performance and wellness. The validity of claims concerning nutrient supplements will be studied.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Measurement and evaluation techniques designed to assess progress in physical education settings.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: This course is a prerequisite for all field experience and practice.) Designed to prepare students for a teaching/leadership role in physical education. They will examine teaching/leadership effectiveness as it relates to organization and observation techniques, planning, instruction and evaluation of physical activity.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Analysis of important philosophies, principles, and personal, educational, and societal issues that influence current physical and health education curricula with particular emphasis on the Québec curriculum for Physical Education and Health.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed and 6 credits from the following Physical Education courses: Kinesiology&Physical Education: Acquisition of skills and techniques in basketball from a curriculum model approach.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Using track and field to address a variety of progressions of learning that are included at all levels of, and in relation to, the Quebec Physical Education Curriculum. The Sport Education model will be utilized to stress the transferability
of the sport-specific skills needed to engage in track and field.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Acquisition of skills and techniques in volleyball from a curriculum model approach.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Focus on Teaching Games For Understanding, in relation to the Quebec Physical Education Curriculum, which includes invasion games, target games, net and wall games, and striking and fielding games. Emphasis will be placed on
fundamental movement through a variety of games and physical activities.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Acquisition of skills and techniques in ice hockey.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed 27 credits from the following list: Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional. Topics will vary and be chosen from a range identified by instructors and students.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional. Topics will vary and be chosen from a range identified by instructors and students. Seasonally based and will cover Fall cultural skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional. Topics will vary and be chosen from a range identified by instructors and students. Seasonally based and will cover Winter cultural skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional. Topics will vary and be chosen from a range identified by instructors and students. Seasonally based and will cover Spring cultural skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Arts Education: Development of Indigenous skills and knowledge in art, music, handicrafts and other areas both modern and traditional. Topics will vary and be chosen from a range identified by instructors and students. Seasonally based and will cover Summer cultural skills.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: An exploration of new media, and information and computer technology (ICT) to improve students’ Indigenous literacy. Examines the value of ICT and new
media to literacy practitioners and educators who are engaging pedagogically with both Western and traditional knowledges.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: A study of Indigenous language phonology and structure, emphasizing the connection between the two, demonstrating the orderliness of many dialectic differences.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Curriculum and Instruction: The final course in a set dealing with Indigenous phonology and structure. An understanding of basic Indigenous syntax in particular, rules governing verb and possessive endings.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education: The first of two courses specially designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Focused on key areas of what teachers need to know and be able to do to support students' development of mathematical understanding (focus on mathematics content, students' reasoning, and pedagogy). Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec elementary mathematics program.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Introduction to planning and maintaining a learning environment in Indigenous classroom as a unique pedagogical setting. Study and application of differential learning styles.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Methods of teaching syllabic reading and writing. Understanding the principles of sight word reading instruction, child observation, material development and guided instruction.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Science as a means of exploring and explaining our environment. A study of some of the fundamental concepts and process skills common to most elementary programs.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education : Programs, materials and strategies for social studies from Kindergarten through grade six.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Elementary Education: The second of two courses specifically designed for elementary school pre-service teachers. Provides opportunities for the development of increasingly sophisticated knowledge and practices specific to elementary mathematics teaching. Provides insight and understanding of the Quebec modern elementary mathematics program.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Reading and writing of an Indigenous language which includes using a computer. Focus is on nouns, verbs, prefixes, suffixes, along with specific Indigenous lexicon.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Reading and writing of an Indigenous language. Intermediate and advanced aspects of grammar of the Indigenous language. Continuation of language development.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Theory-based strategies for setting up, managing and teaching in the elementary school classroom. Methods for integrating the individual subject areas in the elementary school curriculum, using the Quebec curriculum as the primary example. Professional portfolios and professional competencies will be addressed.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: The role of evaluation within kindergarten/elementary school programs. Topics include the kinds of information needed, different techniques for collecting that information, and ways of interpreting it to make educational decisions. Principles and a variety of methods for evaluation are discussed and practiced.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Sharing, modelling and transferring of Indigenous knowledge about living in harmony with the elements and the environment. Featured topics include weather and its traditional interpretation, ice conditions, animal behaviours and their interactions with the environment. Hands-on learning will be emphasized.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Students will be involved in storytelling and practical writing activities. Stories will be gathered from elders, residential school survivors and/or from their own experience. The intent of this course is to broaden knowledge and skill in the reading and writing of the students' heritage language.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Indigenous traditional healing and its cultural value. The origins of Indigenous traditional medicines will be explored through elders' knowledge and stories.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Elementary Education: Oral and family history techniques, emphasising kinship terms and the importance of kinship values to Indigenous Cultures.
Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed Kinesiology&Physical Education: Designed to prepare students to teach physical recreation activities of their Indigenous culture such as Indigenous games, stunts, combatives, gymnastics and dance activities belonging in the cultural context.
Offered by: Kinesiology and Physical Ed
Program Requirement:
The time limit for completion of the 60-credit Certificate in Education for First Nations and Inuit is 12 years. The University reserves the right to request that a student retake a course or courses after a five-year period if it is felt that too long a break has occurred in the ongoing nature of the training.Required Courses (27 credits)
Complementary Courses (33 credits)
Algonquin
Cree
Inuktitut
Mi'gmaw
Mohawk
Naskapi
Stream B: Physical Education
Stream C: Culture and Language
Stream A: Generalist
Stream B: Physical Education
Stream C: Culture and Language
Cohort Information
See below for program information specific to cohorts from our different partners.
Kahnawake Education Centre
The Kahnawake Education Centre started a new cohort in the Certificate in Education FNIE program in Fall 2014.
Kahnawake Education Centre documents and information
Practicum Documents
Upcoming Courses
Coming soon: a list of planned courses in the Certificate in Education FNIE program for the Kahnawake Education Centre. 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
Cree School Board
The Cree School Board started a new cohort in the Certificate in Education FNIE program - Culture and Language option in Fall 2014.
Cree School Board documents and information
Upcoming Courses
Coming soon: a list of planned courses in the Certificate in Education FNIE program for the Cree School Board. 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)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I find help on how to use Minerva to register for courses?
Step by step instructions and a tutorial video can be found on this website. In addition, the Internships & Student Affairs office is available to help you with registration difficulties.
Program information is organized for two distinct groups:
Prospective Students Currently Registered
