THUNDER BAY - Students across Northwestern Ontario will be given a unique opportunity to learn more about Indigenous governance and public administration, which educators hope will help bridge the gap between education and employment.
This January, Confederation College will be offering the Indigenous Governance and Public Administration program, a one-year post-diploma program that will earn students an Ontario College Graduate Certificate. It also includes a six to nine month work internship with the provincial government or other organization.
“It provides graduates and prepares them with the opportunity to move into government and the private sector,” said Don Bernosky, vice president of workforce development with Confederation College. “It gives them leadership skills and skills in terms of public administration and government, how government works, and really support them and community economic development as we go forward.”
There is no other program like it available in Ontario, Bernosky added, and it is part of Confederation College’s commitment to act upon the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.
“It’s important for Confederation College, but it’s also important for Northwestern Ontario and the province,” he said.
“As we go forward in terms of community economic development with Indigenous communities, good governance in any organization is the key to success and we will be developing the future leaders of tomorrow to be able to support Indigenous opportunities in terms of self-governance and self-reliance.”
The program began as two pilot projects on Indigenous governance and public administration. It will blend how government works and how Indigenous governance works through lessons on how to build, manage, and sustain effective partnerships with Indigenous communities. It is open to both full and part-time students and be available at Confederation College satellite campuses throughout the region.
“We had really positive feedback from all the participants and gave us a way to add additional information,” Bernosky said. “This is unique and designed specifically for Ontario and our unique needs in Northwestern Ontario.”
There is space for 30 students and registration for the program is now open. Bernosky encourages interested students to register early and he remains optimistic that the program will be filled.
“It’s always hard to gauge,” he said. “It’s a brand new program and there aren’t a lot of similar programs nationally. But we do know there is a true need and part of the consideration is we will be offering internships beyond it, so there will be opportunities for employment. We want to build that bridge between education and employment.”
