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Program Information
Photo by Rita Taylor
Dates
Registration deadline: August 26, 2025
Program dates: October 05 – October 10, 2025
Overview
Project management is a results-driven process that supports organizations, institutions, and communities. Creating a professional project management environment is essential for securing funding and developing projects. Project Management for Indigenous Organizations bridges the gap between traditional project management and Indigenous wisdom.
By adopting standardized techniques and tools, participants will be better equipped to lead successful projects from start to finish. In addition to learning best practices, participants will enhance their knowledge and skills through the lens of Indigenous wise practices. This approach ensures participants can effectively manage projects, delivering them in scope.
Description
Project Management for Indigenous Organizations is a comprehensive program that unpacks the theory and process of project management.
With guidance from the Elder, participants will share traditional and spiritual wisdom while connecting with the land and cultural teachings.
Program highlights
- Exploring what project management is and why it is important.
- Project management fundamentals, processes, techniques, and tools.
- Defining wise practices and applying them to project management.
- Building the foundations to revitalize wise practices in your communities.
- Understanding the life cycle of a project and the work required in each phase.
- Project management planning techniques through a practical business case exercise.
- Change management and performance management.
Eligibility
This program will be beneficial for Indigenous leaders, administrators, and service providers responsible for developing, leading, and managing projects in, or with, Indigenous communities and organizations including:
- those seeking to understand and introduce project management practices into their organization or community.
- leaders from Indigenous communities, government, industry, not-for-profits, and boards.
Priority is give to Indigenous learners and those working for Indigenous communities and organizations.
Applicant must be 18+ at the start of the program.
Inclusivity Statement
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply.
Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance and Management Excellence
Indigenous leadership programs are strategically focused on building your capacity to successfully assist your community and organization. Individuals who successfully complete a program from each of the seven wise practice elements will earn a Certificate of Indigenous Leadership, Governance, and Management Excellence.
Itinerary
Participants are required to dedicate approximately 40 hours during the week to this program.
Sample Itinerary - subject to change
Each day will open with a smudge and teachings and close with a daily wrap-up.
Sunday
- Welcome and program overview
Monday
- Introduction to project management
- Wise practices - project management
- Project initiation and planning
- Introduction to case study
- Case study: project overview and charter
Tuesday
- The triple constraint of project management: scope, schedule, cost
- The work breakdown structure
- Indigenous arts experience
Wednesday
- Project quality & resource management
- Case study: resources, budget, Gantt
- The role of the project manager
- Risk management 1
- Case study: risk register
- Communication and stakeholder engagement
Thursday
- Project leadership in action
- Monitoring and controlling projects
- Case study: preparation and presentation
Friday
- Next steps
- Closing circle and reflections
Faculty
Randy Bottle
Randy Bottle is recognized and honoured as an Elder among local community leaders and agencies. He originates from the Blood Tribe First Nation and is from the Tall People Clan. After serving the Blood Tribe Band Council for 24 consecutive years, he has become a staple in the Calgary community.
Randy’s primary goal is to promote traditional spirituality through ceremony, storytelling, and sharing personal experiences. His primary work now focuses on urban aboriginal youth, helping them to better understand their identity and develop a better sense of belonging. As a fluent Blackfoot speaker, he plays a key role in preserving and passing on the language to urban aboriginal youth and the larger Blackfoot-speaking community.
Elder
Sheila Niganobe
Sheila Niganobe is an Ojibway and member of Mississauga First Nation # 8, in Northern Ontario. She lived a majority if her life on the First Nation, she also lived in the city of Toronto for 15 years. She has had the experience of working in an Aboriginal off-reserve political organization for 10 years; during that time she had the opportunity to learn the off-reserve politics and the need to assist Aboriginal people. She is actively involved in her community and participates in ceremony, women’s drum group and advocates for community wellness.
Over the past 15 years, Sheila has returned to her community to work in management, health, social, economic development and governance. This experience has given her the opportunity to experience firsthand the issues and barriers within the First Nation environment.
In the spring of 2010, Sheila graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Governance from Ryerson University and First Nations Technical Institute. Sheila has been taking on-line courses towards her Project Management Certification from Ryerson University. She also received a Masters Certificate in Risk Management and Business Performance, York University, January 2016. In February 2018, Sheila completed Strategic Planning: From Vision to Action from the Canadian Management Centre.
Faculty
What's Included
Accommodation
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Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other participants on campus and focus on your projects while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Meal Plan
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Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The Full meal plan is equivalent to $73 credit per day, equivalent to three meals at our Buffet service.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Join in group seminars/workshops.
Banff Centre Amenities
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<ul><li>Enrich your experience and get to know other participants on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/participant-resources" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Participant Resources</a> team.</li><li>Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/sally-borden-fitness-and-recreation" target="_blank">Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.</a></li><li>Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/events" target="_blank">events</a>.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.banffcentre.ca/library-archives" target="_blank">Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives</a> are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty</li></ul>
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$35 application is included in the program fee.
Funding
Limited funding is available to help some participants with program fees.
- Funding is available for Indigenous participants or those working for Indigenous communities and organizations.
- Requests are reviewed based on submission of the Financial Assistance form available in the Student Portal.
- Funding amounts vary and do not cover 100% of the program fee. Participants should expect to pay a minimum of 25% of the program fee.
- Participants may be eligible for a maximum of two programs per year.
Information about funding opportunities for Leadership programs can be found here.
Steps to follow
- Select "Yes" to "I would like to apply for financial assistance" during registration.
- Log into your Student Portal to complete your funding application form within 48 hours of submitting your initial registration.
- Timely submission of the funding form is required in order to be considered.
Cancellations
All participants must pay a confirmation fee of $262.50 within fourteen days of registration. We reserve the right to cancel registrants if payment and confirmation is not received within fourteen days.
Participants who are awarded financial aid who cancel their registration within the cancellation policy deadlines may be ineligible to receive Banff Centre funding for a period of 12 months.
Registrations are non-transferable and cannot be applied to different programs or used on behalf of other registrants.
More information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Tax Information
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.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormIf 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.
Disclaimer
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. 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.