Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology

Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, SK

http://www.siit.sk.ca/

In operation for more than 35 years, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) offers applied courses in a variety of disciplines. SIIT offers courses in Adult Basic Education, Business Administration, IT, trades, and health and community services, among others. SIIT is a recognized post-secondary institution and is First Nations controlled. SIIT has campuses in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Regina. It also has career centres which provide job coaching and help with work placement throughout the province. Some courses are available online.

The 2-year Information Technology Diploma program at SIIT gives students a wide knowledge of IT systems. Students learn about programming, hardware, operating systems, networks, and databases, as well as the fundamentals of project management. The program focuses on the use of IT in the workplace.

In addition to funding that students may be able to secure through their band, students have a range of scholarship options at the school.

Mt Royal University – Aboriginal Science and Technology Education Program

Mt Royal University – Aboriginal Science and Technology Education Program

Calgary, AB

http://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/IniskimCentre/AboriginalScienceandTechnologyEducationProgram/index.htm

Mt Royal University’s Aboriginal Science and Technology Education Program is tailored to First Nations students looking to enter the tech sector or to study these fields at the post-secondary level. ASTEP provides support for First Nations students who are pursuing their Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) or Bachelor of Applied Science – Environmental Science at Mt Royal University in Calgary. ASTEP students can make full use of Mt Royal’s Iniskim Centre, an academic support centre for Aboriginal students.

While taking courses in the BCIS program, students will learn programming. Internet development, system analysis & design, and network support. These courses given students the skills needed for a career in web design or business systems analysis. A comprehensive list of available courses can be found here.

Tuition for full-time education (8 months per year) at Mt Royal is approximately $5,000. ASTEP also offers support with funding applications. Many students complete their degrees in 4 years. Mt Royal’s Faculty of Science and Technology has a number of scholarships available, including the Supreme Group Bursary, which gives preference to Aboriginal students in the Bachelor of Engineering University Transfer program, and the Gordon Lingenfelter Memorial Scholarship, which gives preference to students from rural areas.

Kahnawake Economic Development Commission: Mohawk Internet Technologies

Kahnawake Economic Development Commission: Mohawk Internet Technologies

Kahnawake, QC

http://www.kedc.biz/employment/et_training_and_dev.php

The Kahnawake Economic Development Commission offers computer and entrepreneurial skills training. Its Career Building Skills Program teaches valuable labour market skills. Tuition is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Students may be eligible for travel and child-care allowances. The Kahnawake Economic Development Commission also offers various job market services for people looking to enter or re-enter the workplace. See KEDC’s Training/Courses page for more information.

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Merrit & Vancouver, BC

http://www.nvit.ca/about/default.htm

The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) offers computer courses as part of its Health Care and Office Administration programs. Available courses include Word Processing, Computer and Internet Essentials, Keyboarding, Spreadsheets, and Computer Applications. NVIT students do not need to be registered in the Health Care or Office Administration programs in order to take computer courses.

NVIT offers some courses online. Prospective students should check http://www.nvit.ca/currcourseofferings.htm to see if their desired course is currently being offered online.

NVIT has a comprehensive list of potential scholarships and bursaries for students on their website.

First Nations Technical Institute

First Nations Technical Institute

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON

http://www.fnti.net/

The First Nations Technical Institute offers the Media Foundations program, which teaches the fundamentals of web design, digital imaging, production techniques, Internet research and other tools. Students who complete the program will receive a Media Foundations certificate from both FNTI and Humber College. Tuition for the program is approximately $7000. Students should also consider other costs, such as a digital camera, USB flash storage, and accommodation while taking courses.

FNTI also offers training and development courses in a variety of common computer applications, such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and others.

For testimonials from FNTI graduates, see their website.

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Watch a First Mile video about FNTI

Seabird College

Seabird College

Seabird Island, BC

http://www.seabirdisland.ca/page/seabird-college

Seabird College offers an Information Technology program, a Business Administration and Technology program and a Graphic Arts/Computer Graphics program. Some course components may be taken online. Seabird College is recognized by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia.

Tuition for each program is between $11,000 and $12,000, which includes all costs associated with the program (i.e., textbooks, student costs, materials, etc.).

Seabird Island Band has numerous grants and incentives for band members who wish to take courses in the community.

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Watch a First Mile video that includes an interview with a student from Seabird College.

Funding

In addition to scholarships and bursaries offered through institutions, numerous funding opportunities for First Nations students wishing to pursue post-secondary education. This funding can often be secured through the student’s local band office. For information on federally supported funding programs for First Nations students, visit http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100033682.

Financial resources for First Nations students are also listed at http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/eng/ao20011.html.