First Nations Technical Institute

First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) is an Aboriginal owned and controlled post-secondary institution. Established in 1985 through innovative and dynamic partnerships between the Tyendinaga Mohawk Council, FNTI Board of Directors, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Education & Training, it is the longest-standing Aboriginal-operated post secondary institution in Ontario that aims to provide greater access to post-secondary education for Aboriginal peoples [http://www.fnti.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=69 Facts about FNTI :: First Nations Technical Institute :: Sharing and Learning ] ] .

FNTI is a strong advocate of life-long learning - evident in its initiatives to raise Aboriginal student entry into post-secondary education through educational programs offered at the elementary and secondary level. There are currently about 300 post-secondary students and adult learners from across the country enrolled in capacity building programs at FNTI. To date, over 2000 students have successfully graduated from a variety of certificate, diploma and degree programs offered at the institution. Through its innovative programs, FNTI has contributed to First Nations' community capacity building through the advancement of its community-based best practices model. FNTI's approach to learning and teaching has also been adapted by other post-secondary educations in Ontario and other parts of the world.

Partnerships

Since its inception, FNTI has forged several partnerships with other colleges and universities in Ontario and Saskatchewan. It has also established international educational partnerships with indigenous peoples in Chile and South Africa utilizing its highly recognized PLA experience and techniques. Further, FNTI has forged numerous governmental, corporate and industry training partnerships since its establishment, and is a pioneer of the concept of public-private partnerships. Examples of industry partnerships include its Aviation program partnerships with Air Creebec and Wasaya, and Media partnerships with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and CTV Television Network (CTV).

FNTI is the second largest employer on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Locally, FNTI provides over 60 jobs in the Quinte area - contributing an estimated $6-million to the local economy.

Programs Offered

Post-Secondary Programs at FNTI and Accrediting partners

*Certificate Level
**Office Administration: in conjunction with St. Lawrence College
*Diploma Level
**Social Service Worker (SSW): in conjunction with St. Lawrence College
**Aviation - Fixed wing pilot: in conjunction with Canadore College
**Aboriginal Media: in conjunction with Humber College
*Post Graduate Certificate
**Indigenous Community Health Approaches: in conjunction with St. Lawrence College
*University Degree
**Public Administration and Governance (BSW): in conjunction with Ryerson University
**Bachelor of Social Work: in conjunction with Ryerson University and First Nations University of Canada (FNUC)
**Adult Mohawk Immersion: in connjuction with Trent University

Certificate Programs Independently Offered through FNTI

Provides tailor-made continuing education and training programs for government agencies, corporations, and communities. Designed programs include:

*Facilitative Leadership/Community Development certificate
*Returning the Bundle - SSW post-graduate certificate
*Customer Service Excellence certificate
*Computer Training
*Indigenous foods and medicines
*Employability skills

Programs Under Development

*Aboriginal Law Clerk (diploma): in conjunction with St. Lawrence College and the Indigenous Bar Association
*First Nations Public Relations (certificate): in conjunction with Loyalist College
*Aboriginal Environmental Technician (diploma): in conjunction with St. Lawrence College
*Apprenticeship (Automotive Technician, Millwright journeymen): in conjunction with Centennial College
*Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women

Elementary and Secondary

*After-school elementary tutoring
*Summer camps for elementary students
*Employability skills for Grade 8/Co-op
*Literacy training
*HOPE (Haudenosaunee Opportunity for Personalized Education) Program, in partnership with local school board and Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, for at risk youth ages 16-20
*Ohahase Education Centre, secondary education programs for adults and youth. Private school under the Education Act.

PLA National and International Partnerships

Each year, FNTI hosts the Annual Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Conference - an an international event aimed at promoting PLAR and sharing emerging experiences.

FNTI is also a member of the Adult Learner Friendly Institutions Canada (ALFICan) research project (in partnership with Human Resources Development Canada (HRSDC) and a number of other private and public colleges, universities and community-based organizations) which aims to strengthen strategies and support for adult learning practices. Partners to ALFICan include Cambrian College, Maxwell College, Red River College, Prairie West Regional College, Nova Scotia Community College, Brandon University, Ryerson University (G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education), the Government of Manitoba (Adult Learning Centres), Abbott Agency, Canadian Auto Workers Education Department (CAW) and the Town of Newmarket, Ontario [ [http://www.alfican.ca/Adult_Learner_Friendly_Institutions_Canada/Home.html Adult Learner Friendly Institutions Canada ] ] .

In addition, FNTI is also part of Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program (IPPP) - a joint initiative with the Mapuche Indigenous people in Chile to share FNTI's extensive knowledge and expertise in PLAR, portfolio development and Indigenous knowledge. FNTI's focused efforts on sharing approaches to education, training and employment is aimed at helping build capacity within the Mapuche community.

References

This article incorporates text from [http://www.fnti.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=24] released under GFDL License

External links

* [http://www.fnti.net/ First Nations Technical Institute]
* [http://www.alfican.ca/Adult_Learner_Friendly_Institutions_Canada/Home.html Adult Learner Friendly Institutions Canada]