New options for governance skills

Two BC organizations have announced plans for more formalized training in governance and administration for First Nations people.
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of BC will hold its third annual band management conference in June that will be devoted to the development of a band administrators’ network.
Mike Mearns of Klahoose, who is general manager for AFOA BC, said the June 10-11 conference in Vancouver is all about building for success.
“Today’s administrator requires many tools in order to carry out the tasks required of a sophisticated manager,” he said. “We are inviting senior managers to the June 10-11 conference so that they can be part of the next step in creating a network dedicated to forward-looking, confident and competent band administrators.
“We will be asking the question: What can we do to develop our capacity as band administrators?” said Mearns.
“The challenge is to find ways to better deal with the many things that define sound management of our First Nations economic and human resources.
“We will also be looking at the skill set administrators need in order to work effectively. A competency framework will help direct us as we try to capture the expertise required by today’s effective administrator.”
Meanwhile, the National Centre for First Nations Governance and Thompson Rivers University are partnering to research, develop, and deliver what they say are appropriate programs and courses to enhance the governance and administrative skills of First Nations people.
Satsan (Herb George) who is president of the NCFNG said: “We are honoured to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Thompson Rivers University that will lead to the development of curriculum and research relevant to First Nation communities. Through this partnership, our organizations can work together to support First Nation communities as they build their capacity for governance.”
More info at: www.afoabc.org; www.fngovernance.org