Pursuing Excellence in Governance and Administration
FNPSS provides training and other opportunities that support capacity building in BC First Nation communities and organizations as they pursue excellence in their own governments and administrations.
Be sure to visit our Events Calendar regularly, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Linkedin) to stay informed about upcoming training opportunities.
Core Administration Skills
Management Training Academies
Our Management Training Academies (MTAs) aim to help participants return to their organizations with capacity enhancing strategies they can implement immediately. MTAs provide tools and training specifically tailored to BC First Nations needs from experts in the core competencies: Records and Information Management (RIM), Policy Development, Human Resource Management (HR), and Financial Management.
Intensive RIM Assessment Workshop
The Intensive RIM Assessment Workshop is designed to help First Nations to determine the strengths and weaknesses of their own records and information management program. The Workshop is delivered to smaller cohorts over a one-to-two-month period and includes attending intensive workshops, conducting interviews within your own organization, and analyzing results with the support of expert RIM coaches.
Communications & Engagement Capacity Building
Foundations for professional Communications
In partnership with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and Davis McKenzie (Tla’amin Nation), Principle of Toχʷoχʷ (Becoming Clear) Communications, FNPSS is offering a 15-week Foundations for Professional Communication course aimed at giving First Nation communities and Indigenous organizations the skills and confidence to execute a communications plan. Finance, human resources and information management have long been recognized as essential corporate services to a functional and healthy First Nations government or organization. What is often missing is the multiplier effect that strong communications bring to any organization. This accredited course will teach a wide array of fundamental communications skills for internal communications, media relations, community engagement, branding and communications planning from an Indigenous perspective.
Communications Technology Webinars

FNPSS has partnered with the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) to co-develop and deliver webinars related to technology skills and how to use technology effectively for successful communications. (1) Make Room for Zoom: Best Practices using Virtual Collaboration Tools; (2) Website Best Practices for Effective Communications & (3) Community Engagement: Best Practices in a COVID-19 World. If you missed these webinars, they are all available on the FNTC Stream-In website.
Zoom Training
As part of our Virtual Hosting Services, FNPSS is pleased to offer virtual meeting training for First Nations to move towards facilitating their own virtual meetings. Zoom is the most widely used video conferencing tool around the world and FNPSS is committed to sharing all the essentials needed to enable First Nations to feel confident in hosting a successful event.
Leadership and Governance Skills
Leadership Training Series
'The 3-part Leadership Training series was developed by FNPSS in partnership with Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council and Carden Consulting for leaders in all roles, including senior administrators, elected and aspiring leaders, and those wishing to strengthen their skills to effect positive change in their communities for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Leadership Training series is made up of three parts – Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading Nation Rebuilding. Sessions recordings and materials from all three parts are available online for interested learners. Please email mentorship@fnps.ca for further information.
Part 1: ‘Leading Self and Systems Thinking’: Exploring Leading Self, Team Development, Conflict Management, Systems Thinking, Organizational Development, Strategic Thinking
Part 2: ‘Leading Others’: Personal Learning, Community Engagement, Financial Management, Project Management, Organizational Development, Governance
Part 3: 'Leading Nation Rebuilding': Nation Rebuilding, Decision Making, Responsibilities & Jurisdiction, Development Corporations, Indigenous Institutions, Indigenous Rights
Elected Leadership Training (Pre- and Post-Election)
FNPSS has heard repeatedly from BC First Nations that there is significant need for pre-nomination and post-election training for aspiring and recently elected leaders. Working with an Advisory Group, FNPSS and Carden Consulting have developed pre-election training for those considering running for election and post-election training for newly-elected leaders. Training explores roles and responsibilities of elected leaders, leadership skill building, and governance training.
Both pre- and post-election training were piloted in January and February 2022.
Customized Training
Upon request, FNPSS can deliver – and tailor – any of its developed training for one or a group of communities. These are offered on a cost-recovery basis.
Training with Federal Government Public Servants
Reverse Town Halls
The federal government regularly hosts ‘Town halls’, where government public servants share new program and funding information with First Nations. A ‘Reverse Town Hall’ flips the event around, where First Nations share invaluable insights, perspectives and stories with government public servants. The series of Reverse Town Halls are jointly produced by the BC Federal Council Secretariat and the FNPSS under the MOU Strengthening Public Service Institutions Initiative.
Collaborative Learning Day
The first Collaborative Learning Day for both federal and First Nations’ public servants was held on June 29 and 30, 2021. Modelled on the successful HR Learning Day in 2018, federal and First Nations specialists hosted discussions and shared tips, tools and resources on several relevant and important topics for a successful and strong public service. The Collaborative Learning Day was jointly organized by the BC Federal Council Secretariat and FNPSS under the MOU Strengthening Public Service Institutions Initiative.

Canada School of Public Service Library
The Canada School of Public Service offers federal public servants courses on a variety of topics ranging from leadership and risk management to HR and communications. Many of these resources are online, interactive and self-paced, allowing for learning when it is most convenient. For access and to participate in a small study, please contact the BC Federal Council for more information.