A new certificate program coming to Saskatchewan Polytechnic will use Indigenous leadership approaches to help students build their capacity as leaders and broaden culturally relevant skills in the workforce.
The Indigenous Leadership Skills Applied Certificate will use Indigenous ways of teaching and learning to explore traditional leadership skills and approaches to building business.
“The new Indigenous Leadership Skills program builds business leadership skills based on Indigenous ways of knowing. This specialized, unique program examines historical and contemporary models of Indigenous business, entrepreneurship and economic development,” said Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO.
The launch of the new program is part of the institution’s strategic plan to integrate more Indigenous ways of teaching and provide culturally inclusive learning environments.
The Indigenous Leadership Skills certificate will be offered as a course program through the School of Continuing Education. Instruction will be entirely online for flexibility and interactive, so students can connect with instructors directly.
As a whole, the certificate will require approximately 240 hours of instruction in eight courses, using real-life case studies on Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs and economic development strategies to explore approaches to maintaining resiliency in building leadership.
Sask. Polytech describes the certificate as a “culturally relevant environment for learning” that is meant to be used by industry leaders to broaden their skills or by individuals preparing for a new career move or entrepreneurial venture.
The institution hopes the inclusion of the customized program will provide an opportunity for professional development in workplaces and encourage more Indigenous people to consider careers in the skilled trades.
“A sense of understanding of our own Indigenous history, culture, stories and resilience is crucial to empowering the individual in their career journey,” said Danny Deleary, community engagement co-ordinator at the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario.
More information about the Indigenous Leadership Skills program is available at saskpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/Indigenous-Leadership-Skills.
