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Program Information
Wise Practice Element 1: Identity and Culture
“…we had such an astounding team of Leaders and a marvellous circle of participants, that the experience ended up being one that I will never forget.”
– Jenn, (Introductory Wise Practices for Indigenous Leadership Alumni)
Overview
This program renews our relationship with Wise Practices during a time of great change for humanity. We will activate community wisdom in action through case studies from our local and global interspace, deepen critical skills, reawaken gifts, and re-envision what leaders need to thrive.
You will have the opportunity to bring the Wise Practice leadership model to life in your role and organization, while taking a personal and professional leadership journey. This program creates a space to regenerate and envision, while expanding roots of identity, knowledge, and cultural values within your authentic leadership style. Move from theory and practice into action, with the guidance of Elders, land-based learning, hands-on case studies, culture, arts, and community dialogue.
Wise Practices in Indigenous Leadership provides the opportunity to center, strengthen, and balance cultural and contemporary leadership competencies.
What does the program offer?
- Wise Practice Indigenous leadership model, research, and case studies
- Centering Indigenous wisdom and leadership concepts in practice
- Deep listening and story telling
- Land-based learning
- Transformational change: cultural illuminance and living systems thinking
- Relational leadership: collaboration and partnerships
- Value-based leadership
- Wisdom, change leadership and spherical intelligence
Who should register?
- Indigenous leaders, administrators, and service providers
- Indigenous artists, change makers, and visionaries
- Senior management and personnel working with or within Indigenous organizations
Earn your Certificate
The Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance, and Management Excellence is awarded to individuals who recognize the importance of continuing education and have successfully completed a total of seven programs. The programs are strategically focused on building your capacity to assist your community and organization to successfully move forward into the era of self-determination and successful community economic development. All Intermediate offerings are counted towards the certificate, while Introductory programs do not. Learn more about what courses you require in order to achieve your certificate, here.
This program fullfils Wise Practice Element 1: Identity and Culture.
This program prioritizes Indigenous learners, and those working for Indigenous communities and organizations. Programs are filled on a first come, first served basis. Please register early to secure a confirmation of your spot.
Itinerary
To maximize learning for this program, students are required to dedicate approximately 40 hours during the week to this program.
- Complete pre-program assignments (approx. 4 hours)
- Participate in daily sessions, Sunday through Friday, according to the agenda.
- Complete homework outside of class time (approx. 2-4 hours)
In person Indigenous Leadership Program Schedule
- Starting Sunday, 5:30 pm with Dinner
- Monday to Thursday whole day include Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Finishing Friday, 1:30 pm after Lunch
*Schedule is subject to change, more details coming soon.
Faculty
Elder Dila Houle
Born and raised on the Piikani Indian Reserve in Southern Alberta, Dila is the mother of six boys and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a young native woman, she left the reserve and moved to Washington State where she raised her sons as a single parent. Upon returning to the Piikani Nation in the 1970’s she has been a student of both western education and traditional native culture and spirituality. Dila is committed to the sharing and dissemination of the teachings derived from the native people's relationships to the land and themselves. Her knowledge and wisdom is shared in personal settings through discussion where she relates life experiences to modern issues that face Native People and their communities. Issues of addictions, family, and native spirituality are the cornerstones of her presentation that promotes an individual’s life’s learning and wellness. Furthermore, through discussion and humour, her presentations are an excellent and beneficial medium for the further human development of Native People and the promotion of cross-cultural awareness of Non-Native People.
Dila has worked in upper-management for a number of native organizations as a social services director, addictions counsellor, and elders facilitator for Corrections Canada. Her recent employment accomplishments include being an elder advisor for a number of native run human support services in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Her presentations incorporate traditional native ceremonialism and beliefs as a vehicle to understand issues that impact and affect modern Native society.
Elder
Erin Dixon
Walking with vision and all of life in mind, Erin shares her Otipemisiwak-Métis heritage and passion for life – from Indigenous science through to living systems transformation.
Erin is faculty for Banff Centre, currently supporting Indigenous Leadership and Management Development and Reconciliation and Right Relations programs. For the last six years Erin has held the role of an Indigenous Awareness Trainer for the Ontario Provincial Police co-facilitating five-day transformational learning programs and outreach. She leads the co-creation of multi-sectorial/organizational, community-youth driven life promotion initiatives with northern remote Nations.
A landscape of Erin’s recent collaborations include co-facilitating with mentor Michael Jones in hosting generative spaces and dialogue sessions for leaders on Wasan Island – Breuninger Foundation, Tamarack Institute, The Good Work Institute at Bard College, and the Garrison Institute. She has also co-facilitated with change leaders at Mind Camp and for six years has co-led Mariposa Folk Festival’s award winning greening programs, collaborating with Ryerson University. Erin has worked locally and globally, with every type of organizing structure – cultivating patterns of openness, connection, and reciprocity for collective impact.
Erin carries a BA in Law and Environmental Studies, a MA in Global Leadership from Royal Roads University, with Post Graduate studies in Eco-psychology – land based nature reconnection programs. Her capstone documentary, The Star Blanket Project, invited a shared inquiry into the call for Awakening the Spirit of Place in Transcending Paradigms and she was the first team to ever receive RRU Founders Award for leadership and personal development. Erin was selected to attend Getting to Maybe: A Social Innovation Residency and is currently walking in a traditional year long, Feather Carriers, Life Promotion program.
Erin is at home and naturally walks between and bridges different worlds, braiding pathways towards what is possible, and the essence of what is being called to life.
Faculty
Daryl Kootenay
Daryl Kootenay is a young Indigenous leader, artist, entrepreneur, facilitator, educator, and mentor to many Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in his community and surrounding communities of Stoney Nakoda Nation. Daryl is a father to 3 beautiful children Nakoda, Marazu, & Haske, and recently married to his now wife, Ariel.
Daryl is known for his international experience and work throughout Africa, Peru, Nicaragua, Mexico, England, France, Spain, Italy, America and Canada, and continues to work with young leaders across the globe on various projects relating to humanitarianism. His focus on Indigenous global issues sits along his work on local issues his community, and surrounding Indigenous and non-Indigenous nations and communities, are facing in the Southern Alberta region (also known as Treaty 7 Territory).
Daryl is a Stoney Nakoda Nation member through his mother’s heritage and is also from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico from his father’s heritage. Mr. Kootenay is a talented traditional artist and dancer, travelling across Turtle Island competing at many powwows and utilizing his regalia as teaching tools and methods.
Mr. Kootenay continues to utilize his traditional knowledge, art, dance and international experience to promote and educate people of all ages, with his experience in:
- Culture and identity
- Leadership development and wise practices
- Organizational leadership
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Healthy relationships, partnerships and alliance-building
- Mental illness and overcoming stigma
- Individualism and volunteering
- Facilitating and public speaking
Daryl is the Co-executive Director of the Howl Experience, Owner of Bald Eagle Ltd., a Focal Point for the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus to the UN, Co-founder of the Nakoda Youth Council and a Co-convener of the Mni Ki Wakan Decade of Water Summit. Mr. Kootenay was recognized for his local, national and international work by the Governor General of Canada and was awarded Canada's Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers at the Rideau Hall, Ottawa.
Faculty
Dr. Cynthia Wesley- Esquimaux
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years. Effective September 2016 she was appointed the 1st Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for Lakehead University and continues to develop pathways forward to reconciliation across Canada.
Cynthia was inducted as a “Honourary Witness” by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2014, and is Chair of the Governing Circle for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.
She is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding. She sees endless merit in bringing people from diverse cultures, ages, and backgrounds together to engage in practical dialogue and applied research initiatives.
Faculty
Technical Requirements
What's Included
Accommodation
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All Lougheed Leadership participants are provided private rooms with ensuite washrooms in one of our two onsite hotels, the Professional Development Centre or Lloyd Hall. Room upgrades may be available upon request at an additional cost.
Meal Plan
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All of your meals from the start to the end of your program are included; most of your meals will be at Vistas Dining Room, but there may be some special dining events scheduled as well. Please also feel free to visit the Maclab Bistro, Le Café, Three Ravens Restaurant and Wine Bar, but note that these outlets are not included in your meal plan, and thus will be at additional cost.
Banff Centre Amenities
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Enjoy free parking, wifi, and access to the Walter Philips Gallery while you are a guest at Banff Centre. Our Participant Resources team is also available to assist you with medical support or event information. See our Events Calendar to learn more about what’s going on at Banff Centre while you’re onsite.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
The Library is delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty with the following services:
- Open hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Access to collections, including program relevant books, scores, artists’ books, recordings, periodicals, and object library.
- Library accounts for borrowing materials.
- Digital Library, on campus and remote access.
- Library research assistance, by appointment.
- Archives research, by appointment only.
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Fitness and Recreation
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The Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre is located in the lower floor of the Sally Borden Building, and provides all guests with access to our swimming pool, hot tub, steam room, climbing gym, fitness centre, spin studio, and gymnasium. Massage and physiotherapy appointments may also be booked ahead of time.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Join in group seminars/workshops.
Learning Journals
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Learning Journals for course materials.
Box Office Discounts
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Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Participant Resources
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Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Up to a maximum of 25 participants per program
Financial assistance is available for Indigenous peoples or non-Indigenous peoples working for Indigenous organizations only.
Financial assistance is available for Indigenous peoples or non-Indigenous peoples working for Indigenous organizations. Each request is reviewed individually based on submission of the Financial Assistance form available in the Student Portal. More information about funding opportunities for our Leadership programs can be found here.
To be considered for financial assistance, please ensure that you select "Yes" to 'I would like to apply for financial assistance' during registration, and log into your Student Portal to complete your funding application form within 48 hours of submitting your initial registration. We strongly recommend timely submission of the funding form, to be considered. Note that we reserve the right to cancel registrants who select 'No' to financial assistance if payment and confirmation of attendance is not received within 7 days of registration.
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and all financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
If you have requested financial assistance,please ensure that you log in to your Student Portal within 48 hours of registration, to submit your funding request form.
If you do not require financial assistance, please ensure that you log in to your Student Portal and complete confirmation of attendance and full payment as soon as possible, but no later than 7 days from completing step 1.
Note that non-completion within the timelines stated may result in your place being offered to the waitlist.
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Banff Centre reserves the right to cancel a program up to seven days prior to program start date if there is insufficient enrolment, and in this case all fees will be refunded. Please note that Banff Centre is not liable for any personal/travel expenses incurred. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
