First Nations Technical Institute

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First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI), an Aboriginal owned and controlled post-secondary institute, was created 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, to provide access to post-secondary programs for Aboriginal people.

Currently there are some 300 post-secondary students and adult learners from across the country enrolled in capacity building programs at FNTI, and over FNTI's history there have been over 2000 successful graduates from a variety of certificate, diploma and degree programs.

This August, FNTI will celebrate its 21st anniversary of providing quality educational programs to Aboriginal people across Canada.

FNTI is the longest standing Aboriginal post-secondary institution in Ontario.

Aboriginal owned and operated, and directed to holistic learning opportunities for Aboriginal people, FNTI embodies the concept of life-long learning.

FNTI facilitates Aboriginal student recruitment to post-secondary education through education programs offered at the elementary and secondary level.

FNTI has contributed to First Nation community capacity building through the advancement of its community-based best practices in learning education model.

FNTI has undoubtedly contributed significantly to an increase in post-secondary graduation rates of Aboriginal people in Ontario with over 2000 graduates, half of this number within the last six years attesting to the Institute's growth and success. Furthermore, FNTI students have a 90 percent graduate employment rate.

Other post-secondary institutions in Ontario, Canada, and globally, have adapted FNTI's approach to learning while developing their programs.

Contents

[edit] Partnerships

Since its inception, FNTI has forged several educational partnerships with other colleges and universities, primarily in Ontario, but also in Saskatchewan. International educational partnerships have been forged with Indigenous peoples of Chile and South Africa utilizing FNTI's highly recognized PLA experience and techniques. FNTI has forged numerous governmental, corporate and industry training partnerships over its 21 year history, and is a pioneer of the concept of public-private partnerships. Current examples of industry partnerships include, but are not limited to: Aviation program partnerships with Air Creebec and Wasaya, and Media partnerships with CBC and CTV.

[edit] Employment

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

[edit] Post-Secondary Programs at FNTI and Accrediting partners

[edit] Programs Under Development

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

[edit] 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

[edit] PLA National and International Partnerships

Adult Learner Friendly Institutions Canada (ALFICan) research project, in partnership with Human Resources Development Canada (HRSDC) and a number of private and public colleges, universities and community-based organizations.

The partners 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), Government of Manitoba (Adult Learning Centres), Abbott Agency, Canadian Auto Workers Education Department (CAW) and The Town of Newmarket, Ontario.

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) - Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program (IPPP) created a partnership between FNTI and the Mapuche Indigenous people in Chile to share FNTI's extensive knowledge and expertise in PLAR, portfolio development and Indigenous knowledge. FNTI focused efforts on sharing their approaches to education, training and employment to help build the capacity of the Mapuche.

FNTI recently held its 17th Annual Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Conference, an internationally known gathering to promote PLAR and share emerging experiences.

[edit] 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.

[edit] References

This article incorporates text from [1] released under GFDL License