The Certified Aboriginal
Public Administrator
(CAPA) Program
Anna Hunter, AFOA Canada
October 11, 2011
“Working Together & Sharing
Information”
3 Chapter Conference in Winnipeg, MB
1
Overview
CAPA Program Background
Multi-Phased Approach
First Nations Public Service
Initiatives
CAPA Council
Competencies
Progress to Date & Next Steps
2
CAPA Program Background
CAPA builds on the tremendous success of
AFOA’s CAFM program.
In Feb. 2009, more than 50 Band Administrators
support AFOA to move forward on developing a
certification program.
More than 20 volunteers came forward to form the
“CAPA Council” – providing critical feedback and
information to AFOA. (next meeting in November
in Ottawa, ON)
January 2010 – First CAPA Council meeting
September 2010 – CAPA Manager brought on
who worked with AFOA until this summer.
September 2011 – CAPA Director brought on
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board.
Multi-Phase Approach
National certification is expected to include:
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Establishing national competency standards,
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Standards of ethical conduct

Certification standards, and

Developing a sustainable educational program to
meet those standards.
There will be three phases to this project, with the
educational program ready to launch at the end
of Phase 2 - April 1, 2012.
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Phase 1 – April 2010 – March 2011
Phase 1
April 1, 2010 to March 31,
2011
Identify Competency, Ethical
and Certification Standards
Identify courses in
Educational Program
Partnership/negotiation with
educational institutions
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Phase 2 – April 2011 – March 2012
Phase 2
April 1, 2011 to March
31, 2012
Develop Course
content where needed
Develop Student
performance measures
Courses ready to offer
April 1, 2012
Phase 3 – April 2012 – March 2013
Phase 3
April 1, 2012 to
March 31, 2013
Develop Examination
Develop Maintenance
of Certification
program (MOC)
First Nation Public Service Initiatives
AFOA Alberta – Band Administrators Forum
AFOA BC – Band Administrators Network &
BC First Nations Public Service Secretariat
University of Victoria
Yukon First Nations Public Service Initiative
Numerous First Nation public administration
and leadership programs being delivered or
developed at post-secondary institutions
across Canada.
For example, USASK has the ILRM program.
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Competency Model
North
West
Competencies
East
South
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North – Intellectual and
Leadership Competencies

Critical Thinking
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Conflict Resolution
Problem Solving
Knowledge of Governance Issues
Leading Capacity Building initiatives
Change Management
Community Engagement
Management Excellence
10
East – Personal Competencies
(Knowing Yourself)

Social Awareness

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
Ethics and Integrity

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Knowledge of self
Knowledge of community
Knowledge of culture and language
Knowledge of Aboriginal and treaty rights
Transparency and Accountability
Flexibility and Adaptability

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Self Awareness
Listening Skills
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South – Emotional Competencies
(Working with Others)
 Human Resource Management
 Communications
 Relationship Building Skills
 Knowledge of Organizational
Behaviour
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West – Physical Competencies
(Getting the Work Done)
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Financial Management
Management of Physical Assets
Legislative Awareness

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Human Rights Legislation
Occupational Health and Safety, etc.
Information Technology and Information
Management
Planning and Organizing
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Progress to Date

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Competency model being developed
Database on Aboriginal post secondary programs is
nearing completion.
Communication with CAPA Council and First Nations
Building on relations with stakeholder groups like
IPAC, CAMA, FMB
Interactive Collaborative tool set up.
Discussions initiated with post-secondary institutions.
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University of Victoria, Cape Breton University
Nipissing University
University of Saskatchewan
University of the Arctic
Ryerson
Canadore & Confederation Colleges
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Ethical Standards

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Aboriginal public administrators are in
privileged positions.
We are expected to exhibit the highest
degrees of commitment, honesty, integrity,
fairness, impartiality and respect.
The CAPA designation reflects this
commitment to upholding and promoting
the highest ethical standards and
professional competencies.
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Communication and Collaboration
16
Sharing Documents and Ideas
17
Keeping Track of Milestones
18
Next Steps – 2010 - 2011
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Continue seeking feedback
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Face to face CAPA Council Meeting
Speaking tour.
Finalize Competencies & Ethical Standards
Complete database of post-secondary
programs including syllabi
Continue developing partnerships with
educational institutions
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Chi-Miigwetch – Thank You!!
If you have any questions or suggestions, or
you want to get involved in this exciting
project, please contact:
Anna Hunter BA Honours, MPA, LL.B., LL.M.
Director, CAPA and Education Programs
AFOA Canada
Telephone: 1-866-722-2362
Email: ahunter@afoa.ca OR www.afoa.ca
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