Indigenous Community Development and Governance

Delivered mostly on-line, students can live and work in their own communities while enrolled.

Indigenous leaders and administrators shared their vision for the ICDG program at a community forum held at UVic's First Peoples House in 2015.

Dylan Thomas' design for the ICDG logo: the back of a drum, the heartbeat of our nations.
This program is currently suspended and not taking applications.
Read more details about this exciting program in our brochure.
Read testimonials from some of our students.
The diploma in Indigenous Community Development and Governance (ICDG) was founded on the vision of Indigenous leaders and administrators. The program's purpose is to train and strengthen the capacity of Indigenous and non-Indigenous administrators that are working or plan to work for Indigenous communities and organizations.
8 principles of the program | |||
Inclusive | Practical | Relevant | Strengths-based |
Innovative | Progressive | Empowering | Culturally responsive |
Note: Delivery of this program is subject to enrolment and funding. The diploma in Indigenous Community Development and Governance consists of 12 courses, taken two courses per term, over two years (six terms). Coursework is completed primarily online with some intensive face-to-face components held at UVic.
The School of Public Administration gratefully acknowledges the Vancouver Foundation and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada for their financial support.
A typical program of study
Year 1 - Building a Strong Foundation
- ICDG 300 Skills Workshop and Orientation
- ICDG 301 Governance in Indigenous Communities
- ICDG 302 Communications in Indigenous Governments and Organizations
- ICDG 303 Lands, Resources and Economic Development
- ICDG 304 Strategic Planning and Implementation
- ICDG 308 Financial Management in Indigenous Governments and Organizations
Year 2 - Designing and Implementing Solutions
- ICDG 306 Human Resource Management in Indigenous Organizations
- ICDG 307 Managing Change for Effective Social and Community Development
- ICDG 305 Indigenous Research and Project Management
- ICDG 400 Leadership in Indigenous Communities and Governments
- ICDG 401 Capstone for Indigenous Governments and Organizations
- ICDG 402 Intergovernmental Relations: Working with Others
Contact us for more information:
Program Manager
Diploma in Indigenous Community Development and Governance
School of Public Administration
University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 STN CSC
Victoria BC V8W 2Y2
Phone: 250-472-4391
Email: diploma_ICDG@uvic.ca