First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS)

The First Nations Public Service Secretariat (FNPSS) invites First Nations Band Managers, Chief Administrative Officers and Executive Directors, or those in an equivalent role looking to expand their network, skills and knowledge in administration to register for the 2025 offering of Foundations of First Nation Administration.

This is a 9-week introductory course covering a variety of key topics essential to First Nations governance and public administration. Students will be taught by First Nations experts in each subject, including previous facilitators for FNPSS’ Management Training Academies, Indigenous consultants, and government workers, and will be provided opportunities for group problem solving, networking and skills development.

This offering will have both virtual and in-person sessions. The schedule is as follows:  

• October 7 - December 4: Online via Zoom, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30am - 12:00pm
• November 3 - 7: One full week in-person, Campbell River, BC, 8:30am - 4:30pm daily
• Optional drop-in coaching sessions will be held every Wednesday throughout the duration of the course from 9:00am - 10:00am online via Zoom

Subjects will include:

• Communications 
• Community Engagement 
• Records & Information Management 
• Wellness 
• Human Resources 
• Economic Development 
• Finance Fundamentals  
• And more!  

The sessions will also include opportunities for interactive exercises, learning about mental health impacts, relationship building, and Q&A sessions.

Please note, submission of this form does not guarantee a seat in the course. FNPSS will follow up and confirm your registration. Seats will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Who Can Attend?

To be eligible participants must currently work in a Band Manager/Chief Administrative Officer role in a First Nation government and have Chief and Council approval to attend all sessions, including the in-person week. Travel reimbursement will only be provided for participants who commit to attending all virtual and in-person sessions.

Travel Reimbursement

To support First Nations participation in this training, FNPSS will provide a full reimbursement of travel costs for participants.

To be eligible, a participant must meet the following requirements:

1. Attend the full FFNA training in-person. If a participant does not attend all sessions of the training, they will not be eligible for reimbursement.
2. Provide an approval letter from your Chief and Council to attend all virtual and in-person sessions.

What’s Included for Reimbursement

Participants will be eligible for reimbursement of the following:

• Reasonable travel costs, meals (less provided) and incidentals per the First Nations Summit Society Travel Policy. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on all training days.
• Accommodation at the Naturally Pacific Resort Hotel. The allowance for accommodations is one extra day plus training dates for a maximum of seven nights.

Expenses that will not be reimbursed include, but are not limited to:

• Local travel within Campbell River beyond commercial transportation between the hotel, airport or ferry.
• Fees for late cancellations (accommodations, airfare, etc.)

For any questions or additional information about this training, please contact info@fnps.ca.