11 Competencies Descriptions
Please read through each of the following competencies for a brief summary of what a typical course on that subject might look like.
Competency 1 - Aboriginal Law and Policies
The course should provide a general introduction to Canada’s legal systems and the legal principles that govern business relations. Upon completion of the competency, the candidate should have a good understanding of legislative and judicial processes in Canada; be able to analyze problems and identify relevant legal issues; and be able to conduct legal research. Aboriginal law case studies should be used for critical analysis.
You know how to ensure that you and/or your clientele are complying with regulatory bodies and you apply relevant Aboriginal law and precedents. You should demonstrate an understanding of Canadian legislation affecting economic development in your community, judicial decisions and legal principles relevant to self-government and development in Aboriginal communities, with an ability to conduct basic legal research.
Competency 2 - Organizational and Financial Management
The course should provide an overview of legal forms of organizations including corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and governments. The course should also study the nature of work, people, and organizations. Topics may include: leadership motivation, group dynamics, communication, job design, organizational design, culture and climate, organizational change, stress and time management, and human resource management/development issues.
Also, an introduction accounting course that covers the principles and procedures for recording and reporting financial information. It blends accounting concepts and methods and is aimed at both the preparer and user of financial reports. Understanding how cost-behaviour is related to managerial decisions, and how to use accounting information for long-range planning and capital budgeting decisions should be covered. Also, learn how to use financial statements for planning, prepare budgets, analyze investment options, and determine the best means of financing business endeavors.
Competency 3 - Governance and Leadership
Students should be provided with the opportunity to explore Aboriginal leadership practices at all levels. The course should provide an overview of Aboriginal governing traditions, the evolution of Aboriginal politics and changes in Aboriginal governance systems as well as current trends and issues associated with Aboriginal governments. Ideally, the course will look at other issues related to Aboriginal governance such as women, justice, financing, and relationships with other levels of government (federal, provincial, and municipal).
Competency 4 - Economics
A course should provide an introduction to economics on both a micro and macro level (may require two courses - introduction to micro-economics and introduction to macro-economics). Students should be provided with the opportunity to explore today's current economic issues and learn how they relate to their lives, to Canada's economic goals, and ideally to Aboriginal economic development.
Competency 5 - Sustainable Environment and Land Stewardship
The course should provide the students with an understanding of environmental and ecological impacts and provide a holistic approach to assessing economic development projects and initiatives that would be entering the community. Students will have an understanding of environmental and ecological issues, concepts, and approaches; also they will understand the purpose and importance of environmental protection and sustainability when developing an economic development plan.
Competency 6 - Lands and Resource Management
Competency 7 - Project Management
The course should provide the students with the fundamental concepts of project management; as well provide an introductory approach to managing projects, including finances, planning, monitoring, scheduling, and problem solving and performance measurements. It can include a description of the process from start to finish, a sample project management case study of either small or large scale. The student will be able to apply project-planning steps, develop and implement a project plan, monitor the project and report on the status and milestones.
Competency 8 - Community Planning and Development
A course should examine the theory and practice of community economic development is a C.E.D. requirement. The course should also provide an introduction to the key components of community economic development, and enable participants to better understand the community planning process and the techniques and methods of analysis used in comprehensive community planning. Topics for discussion could include: concepts and principles of community development; community development programming; and the role of the CED worker in the implementation of CED programs in communities.
A course should provide students with the opportunity to examine and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to CED undertaken by government agencies, research and planning groups, Band organizations, Band Councils, and individual entrepreneurs. Problem areas and alternative approaches should also be explored. Community analysis is a key source of data for CED staff and committees. An essential component of community analysis is the development and updating of community profiles. A course should provide the student with an in-depth study of a variety of research tools, both qualitative and quantitative, that will be useful to someone working the field of Aboriginal economic development.
Competency 9 - Community-Based Aboriginal Economic Development
The course should provide an historical background to contemporary Aboriginal issues in Canada, and should provide a discussion of the theory and practice of self-government and CED. The role of economic development planning should be discussed in community, regional, and organizational contexts.
Competency 10 - Contemporary Aboriginal Economic Development
A course should provide students with the opportunity to study one or two subject areas in depth. Preferably organized as a case-study participation course, it should be designed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to Aboriginal economic development, and address issues related to establishing and operating an economic development corporation at the community and regional levels.
EDOs need current and relevant information about their communities to successfully implement economic development initiatives. A course should provide students with a good understanding of how to gather social, demographic and economic data, and how to effectively interpret the results.
Competency 11 - Aboriginal Business Development and Entrepreneurship
A course should provide an intensive examination of the components of venture development including opportunity identification, community selection criteria, pre-feasibility, feasibility and business planning.
