Indigenous community development and governance

Candidates without formal post-secondary qualifications may be admitted as conditional students if they demonstrate appropriate experience.

Applicants should have the equivalent of one year post-secondary education, plus two years experience working with Indigenous organizations or governments. We will also consider relevant public or non-profit sector work experience.

We assume ICDG applicants have knowledge of Canada’s historical and ongoing relationship with Indigenous peoples. If you are unsure of your foundational knowledge but would like to apply to an ICDG program, please contact the program office at paservice1@uvic.ca.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to self-identify in their application. We will prioritize those applications until the deadline.

We may accept applications outside of regular UVic timelines.

Fall term

• May 31 for application to Office of the Registrar
• July 15 for documents and transcripts

Spring term

• September 30 for application to Office of the Registrar
• November 15 for documents and transcripts

Summer term

• February 15 for application to Office of the Registrar
• April 1 for documents and transcripts

New applicants to UVic

1. Apply to UVic, upload your professional resume and cover letter (see cover letter guidance below) outlining your interest in the diploma or specialization certificate program.
2. Arrange for all official transcripts to be sent to Undergraduate Admissions.

Returning UVic students

Returning UVic students must apply to reregister. Along with your application for reregistration, upload your updated professional resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the diploma or specialization certificate program. Returning students should review the information on the Office of the Registrar site.

Cover letter guidance

Your 500-word cover letter (letter of intent) should outline your specific interest in the diploma or certificate program you are applying for, and how this program aligns with your personal and/or career goals.

Please include your positionality (i.e. who you are in relation to Canada, in your community, in relation to Indigenous people) and summarize your experience working with or for Indigenous communities or organizations. Please note how your personal and professional background informs your motivation to complete an ICDG program. What do you hope to learn? What do you bring to our learning community?

Please address all cover letters to the director of the School of Public Administration, University of Victoria.

Two core courses:

• ICDG301- Indigenous Governance in Canada (1.5 units)
• ICDG402- Intergovernmental Relations: Working with Others (1.5)

Complete eight of the following:

• ICDG302- Communications in Indigenous Governments and Organizations (1.5)
• ICDG303- Lands, Resources, and Economic Development (1.5)
• ICDG304- Strategic Planning and Implementation (1.5)
• ICDG305- Indigenous Research and Project Management (1.5)
• ICDG306- Human Resource Management in Indigenous Organizations (1.5)
• ICDG307- Managing Change for Effective Social and Community Development (1.5)
• ICDG308- Financial Management in Indigenous Governments and Organizations (1.5)
• ICDG400- Leadership in Indigenous Communities and Governments (1.5)
• ICDG401- Capstone Project for Indigenous Governments and Organizations (1.5)

With permission from the school, electives may include up to two 300- or 400-level UVic courses on public administration (ADMN) or Indigenous topics from other departments.

ICDG graduates work in the following community roles:

• Manager, fisheries and environment
• Indigenous human resources
• Lands manager
• Education coordinator
• Manager, employment training and education
• Arts program coordinator

Read this profile of diploma graduate Ashley Charleson.

All School of Public Administration ICDG courses are 1.5 units. Part-time students pay fees per term, per credit unit. See fee details.