Training - First Nations Pole

The training activities offered as part of the First Nations Pole are intended for a wide range of individuals, given the diverse Indigenous partners and the specific needs of each community.

Courses are offered directly in communities or on campuses, and are intended not only for teachers, but also for other educational resources in communities such as school principals, pedagogical counsellors, teaching assistants, and for individuals who wish to expand their skill set. The training allows individuals to broaden their knowledge, earn a diploma, and qualify for a teaching certificate.

To better adjust to a variety of realities, some cohorts study on a full-time basis, and some on a part-time basis. This flexibility allows students to continue working in schools while simultaneously undertaking their teacher training.

In the First Nations Pole, all of the students being trained by way of training partnerships take certificate programs. The following certificates are offered:

• Certificat multidisciplinaire (5922) : 30 crédits
• Certificat personnalisé (4003) : 30 crédits
• Certificat en accompagnement à l'enseignement primaire (4950) : 30 crédits

Once all three certificates have been earned, students may complete their academic path by earning the 90-credit Bachelor of Arts by Completion of Certificates (7995) or continue into the Bachelor of Pre-school and Elementary Education (8091) program by completing the 30 credits required for a total of 120 credits, leading to the teaching certificate.

Besides providing sound teacher training, the Unit for Research, Training and Development in Education in Indigenous Contexts (URFDEMA) provides personalized supervision to its students. In order to ensure comprehensive training, the programs offered cover all education aspects: foundations, disciplines, psycho-pedagogy, didactics, school management, measurement and evaluation, vocational guidance and educational technologies.

Students also have the option to complete an exchange in Canada or internationally

The EDU2234 - Projet éducatif de formation et développement institutionnel course provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to create and complete mobility stays in Canada, and internationally.

A group of Indigenous students in education completed a mobility stay in Edmonton to observe teaching practices and to think about education in Indigenous contexts in more depth. (March 2025)