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Program Information
Photo by Rita Taylor.
Dates
Registration deadline: February 10, 2026
Program dates: March 22 – March 27, 2025
Overview
Many Indigenous communities and organizations are either engaged in, or preparing for, negotiations on key issues such as land claims, litigation, self-governance, fiscal arrangements, natural resources, co-management agreements, consultation, and business partnerships.
In Negotiation Skills Training, participants will explore the foundational concepts of negotiation by learning proven interest-based negotiation terminology and techniques. Through experiential learning, case studies, and reflective activities, participants will have the opportunity to practice their negotiation skills and leave equipped with new strategies to apply in real-world negotiations.
Description
Negotiation Skills Training is designed to enhance participants' negotiation skills by focusing on interest-based approaches that prioritize community and individual needs.
With guidance from the Elder, participants will share traditional and spiritual wisdom while connecting with the land and cultural teachings.
Program highlights
- Learn how to set clear goals for negotiation outcomes through community and organizational interest and position clarification.
- Understand the concepts, terminology, and objectives of interest-based negotiations.
- Approach negotiation processes with an inclusive mindset through community- and individual-based planning.
- Gain skills to effectively prepare for negotiations and navigate outcomes with confidence.
- Discover best practices for making wise, informed decisions.
- Receive expert advice and guidance to strengthen your abilities as a powerful negotiator.
- Enhance communication skills using proven techniques that increase clarity and effectiveness.
- Develop purposeful negotiation strategies with clear objectives.
- Engage in interactive problem-solving and planning exercises.
- Practice and refine your negotiation skills through immersive, hands-on experiences.
Eligibility
This program is designed for those involved in or preparing for negotiations within Indigenous and broader contexts including
- Indigenous leaders and managers mandated to negotiate on behalf of their communities.
- Government negotiators and policy advisors seeking to enhance their understanding of the Indigenous negotiations environment and context.
- Private sector parties engaged in negotiations with Indigenous entities, the Crown, or municipalities.
- Administrative and support staff responsible for preparing and supporting negotiations.
Priority is given to Indigenous learners and those working for Indigenous 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, opening remarks & program logistics
Monday
- Introduction to negotiations
- Principles of interest-based negotiations
- Harvest exercise
- Preparation for negotiations
Tuesday
- Education dispute
- Education dispute exercise & debrief
- Knowing yourself through your strengths
- Introduction to Blakely Beach and Cranberry Flats exercises
Wednesday
- Managing a difficult conversation
- Blakely Beach exercise
- Cranberry Flats negotiation & debrief
Thursday
- Introduction of negotiation strategies
- Gumboot exercise
Friday
- Program debrief and closing circle
Faculty
Elder Edmee Comstock
Edmee is the youngest of 17 children from one of the most important historical families of the Red River Settlement. Her great grandfather was John Bruce (Jean- Baptiste Bruce), the first president of the Métis Provisional Government at the Red River Colony. Louis Riel was his secretary.
Edmee considers herself blessed to be raised in a traditional Métis family with a strong work ethic and sense of community, spirituality, and belonging. In the early 1900’s, while others were hiding their culture, her father taught them to be proud of their heritage. This is a legacy she carries on today through her generous sharing of her cultural teachings, Michif language, and history through various educational outreach programs for youth and families.
Edmee’s calm, reflective and welcoming spirit urges everyone to forgive and march on, to not hurt anyone and to always help others. Wearing her Métis sash with great pride, she is now a well-respected elder and a beloved representative of the Bruce clan of the Red River Colony.
In 2012, Edmee was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in the community.
Elder
Troy Chalifoux
Troy G. Chalifoux, a Cree-Métis, graduated from law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta and admitted to the Bar in 1995.
Troy dedicated his practice to collaborative engagements involving Aboriginal issues, primarily those relating to lands, commercial transactions, and outstanding land claims and litigation. During those years he was legal counsel on a number of Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) and surrender claims and large commercial projects involving federal or reserve lands. In 2000, Troy joined what is now Indigenous Services Canada as a Senior Negotiator and continued his work on supporting litigation, land claims and various types of partnership negotiations affecting First Nations in Alberta. Troy has been involved with a number of settlements and continued to work on outstanding claims and inter-governmental negotiations in Alberta.
In 2002, Troy was awarded the Deputy Minister’s Circle of Excellence award for his work on the Claims Settlements Implementation Act (Bill c-37). In 2010, Troy participated in the negotiation and conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding for First Nation Education in Alberta between Alberta First Nations, Canada and the Province of Alberta and was again the recipient of the Deputy Minister’s award. In 2011, Troy was the recipient of the Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Award, Justice Category. Currently, Troy is a sessional instructor with the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta. As Faculty Lead at Banff Centre’s Indigenous Leadership Program in Negotiation Skills Training, Troy has developed and instructed negotiation workshops for Indigenous communities and organizations throughout Canada. For the past 14 years, Troy has also served as member of the Kids Kottage Board of Directors, Edmonton’s only crisis nursery. From 2017-20, Troy was served as Director, Norquest College Board of Governors.
Faculty
Lorne Ternes
Lorne Ternes is a visionary leader providing counsel to diverse senior elected and appointed government and Aboriginal leaders. He has a reputation for delivering successful outcomes to complicated conflict situations through collaboration and innovation.
Working as a land agent gave Lorne insight regarding the necessity for effective management of the changing resource industry and community expectations. He appreciates his early work experience for providing a solid foundation of understanding regarding the intricacies of oil and gas resource development in Canada. Lorne served as an Alberta cabinet appointed Part-time Hearing Commissioner for the Alberta Energy Regulator from 2013 to 2017. He continues to be actively engaged in natural resource development and Indigenous matters.
“Bringing Aboriginal perspectives alive is one of my great passions. We need to understand each other and our shared history before we can have meaningful conversations and collaborate for an honourable future. It is a pleasure to speak at conferences and seminars and build those bridges of understanding," Lorne says.
Serving as part of the team that negotiated and drafted the Alberta Métis Settlements Legislation and over a dozen land claims represents high points in Lorne’s career. The same is true in his role as Lead Negotiator for Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Meadow Lake First Nations in self-government negotiations in Saskatchewan. These are examples of working with Canada’s laws to facilitate change benefiting a previously overlooked people without denying the rights of any other sector.
Working with the province of Alberta, resource developers, and First Nations and Aboriginal communities in developing policy, legislation, and a variety of agreements and understandings gives Lorne a front-row view of the continued importance of respectful negotiation.
Lorne teaches seminars at the University of Alberta’s School of Business, lectures regularly at The Banff Centre, and speaks at national and international conferences.
Other designations include:
- Awarded a 2008-09 Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Deputy Minister’s Pride and Recognition Award and the Alberta Premier’s Award of Excellence (Silver) in 2010.
- LLB, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB; BA (cum laude), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
- Member of the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), International Right-of-Way Association, Alberta Chamber of Resources and the Circle for Aboriginal Relations (CFAR).
Faculty
Mike Shaw
Mike Shaw specializes in facilitating leadership and team development through experiential learning. As a faculty member with Leadership Development at Banff Centre, he designs and leads both indoor and outdoor sessions which animate content and theory through hands- on activities.
After receiving a B.Sc. in Physical Geography from the University of Victoria, Mike moved to Calgary. As a computer programmer for six years with an oil and gas company, he gained the valuable experience of working in a large organization. It was either his desire for instability in his life and / or his passion for the outdoors that led to a career move into the environs of the Rocky Mountains.
During the last 30 years Mike has led learning experiences for a wide range of clients- from youth groups to senior executives of corporations. He has gained a strong reputation for his ability to create a powerful and enjoyable learning environment, using the outdoors as a natural place for experimentation and trying out new ways of being. People appreciate his ability to create an environment of trust, safety and confidence amongst teams and in individuals.
Mike is the owner and senior facilitator with Pacific Center for Leadership, based in Canmore, AB. He is a member of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) the only certifying body in Canada for professional mountain guides. His diverse expertise brings a unique dimension to his work and the creative program elements that he offers.
Mike is a registered Strength Deployment Inventory facilitator and can skillfully integrate the learning from this tool (as well as other personality profiles) with powerful experiential elements.
One of his goals is to continue to learn, grow and try new experiences. Life has certainly continued to bring new adventures and insights!
Guest Facilitator
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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- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness equipment.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
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.