Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics

First Nation Applied Economics Certificate

The First Nation Applied Economics Certificate provides foundational knowledge and skills to assist in the development of First Nation economic infrastructure, in particular the development of residential and commercial enterprises.

The program will be of interest to people in First Nation economic development roles; those doing business with First Nations; and local, provincial or federal government employees involved with First Nation development.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students are able to:

  1. Apply basic microeconomic and macroeconomics principles to problems in First Nation economic development.
  2. Discuss issues in First Nation economics as they related to market failure and poverty.
  3. Design and execute a successful residential and commercial property development plan.
  4. Promote and facilitate investment activity on First Nations lands by reducing the high transaction costs associated with private and public investment.
  5. Conduct an economic feasibility and impact analysis of a development project on First Nation lands.
  6. Prepare and present reports relating to investment proposals.

Learning options

The First Nation Applied Economic Certificate is a joint initiative of the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, the First Nations Tax Commission and Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

The certificate is a blended program with three of six courses taken at TRU’s campus in Kamloops, BC. These courses are offered as one-week intensive seminars and are led by an experienced Tulo facilitator. Class sizes are small and students benefit greatly from extensive interaction with their instructor and other students who share the common goal of promoting social and economic development on First Nation lands.

The remaining courses do not require the same high level of interaction and are completed through distance education in an independent study, continuous intake format. Students can enrol in these courses at any time with the necessary prerequisites and can complete them over a flexible time frame that suits their family and work commitments. Each course has a tutor who answers students’ questions and marks all assignments and exams. Access to the course materials and contact with the tutor normally occurs through the web and email, so a high speed Internet connection is recommended. If that is not possible, print materials can be provided and communications can take place by phone.

Admission requirements

  • Pre-calculus Mathematics 11 or Foundations of Mathematics 11 with a minimum C+ or equivalent
  • English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 73% or equivalent
  • Basic computer literacy with exposure to word processing and spreadsheet application software

Students may commence their studies while they upgrade their English mathematics, and and computing skills.

Program content

One of the following:
ENGL 1021
Composition and Indigenous Literature in Canada I

ENGL 1021 Composition and Indigenous Literature in Canada I

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Distance

This course introduces students to an exciting range of Indigenous Canadian literature and orature, including autobiographies, speeches, essays, short stories and storytelling. Students will also have the opportunity to listen to audio CDs of interviews and readings by many of the authors studied in the course, and view a video of a storytelling performance, and an interview with a contemporary Indigenous multimedia artist. Prerequisites: English Studies 12 or equivalent.
Note: This course satisfies the first half of the introductory English literature and composition requirement of TRU-Open Learning degrees. Students with credit for ENGL 1001, ENGL 1019 or ENGL 1011 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for ENGL 1021 may not take ENGL 1061 or ENGL 1999 for further credit in some programs. Students cannot get credit for more than one of ENGL 1001, ENGL 1011, CMNS 1811.
View course details.

ENGL 1100
Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)

ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue. Students read, critically analyze, and synthesize information and ideas found in appropriate secondary sources and coming from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. They also develop their abilities to communicate knowledge by composing in the genres and sub-genres of scholarly writing, including the incorporation of research and documentation while using a clear, persuasive, grammatically-correct style.
Prerequisite: English Studies 12 /English First Peoples 12 with a minimum 73% or equivalent
Note: students cannot receive credit for both ENGL 1100 and ENGL 1101
For more information, search for this course here.

ENGL 1101
Introduction to University Writing

ENGL 1101 Introduction to University Writing

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Distance

Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue. Students read, critically analyze, and synthesize information and ideas found in appropriate secondary sources and coming from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. They also develop their abilities to communicate knowledge by composing in the genres and sub-genres of scholarly writing, including the incorporation of research and documentation while using a clear, persuasive, grammatically-correct style. Prerequisites: English Studies 12/English First Peoples 12 with a minimum of 73% or equivalent is recommended.
Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of SFU ENGL 1999, ENGL 1100, ENGL 1101.
View course details.

CMNS 1810
Professional and Academic Composition (3,0,0)

CMNS 1810 Professional and Academic Composition (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students learn the theory and practice of successful academic and professional writing. Students compare and apply techniques involved in writing for business and academic purposes, learning skills in audience assessment, document planning and design, research, and effective writing. Students complete assignments ranging from academic essays to a variety of professional communication documents.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for more than one of CMNS 1810, CMNS 1291, ENGL 1810, CMNS 1811 or CMNS 1290
For more information, search for this course here.

CMNS 1811
Professional and Academic Composition

CMNS 1811 Professional and Academic Composition

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Distance

Students learn the theory and practice of successful academic and professional writing. Students compare and apply techniques involved in writing for business and academic purposes, learning skills in audience assessment, document planning and design, research, and effective writing. Students complete assignments ranging from academic essays to a variety of professional communication documents.
Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of CMNS 1810, CMNS 1811, CMNS 1291, CMNS 1290.
View course details.

One of the following:
ECON 1220
Introduction to Basic Economics (3,0,0)

ECON 1220 Introduction to Basic Economics (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students develop a basic understanding of economic principles, which allows for and encourages informed discussion of media-covered issues. Topics include contrasting macroeconomics and microeconomics; gross domestic product; economic growth and business cycles; unemployment and inflation; aggregate supply and demand; scarcity, opportunity costs, globalization and trade; law of supply and demand; accounting versus economic profits; money and exchange rates; government choices, markets, efficiency, and equity; monopoly and competition; externalities, public goods, and free riders.
Note: Students will not receive credit for ECON 1220 unless it has been completed prior to earning a grade of C- or better in either ECON 1900 or ECON 1950. Students will receive credit for one of ECON 1220 and ECON 1221.
For more information, search for this course here.

ECON 1221
Introduction to Basic Economics

ECON 1221 Introduction to Basic Economics

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Distance

Students develop a basic understanding of economic principles, which allows for and encourages informed discussion of media-covered issues. Topics include contrasting macroeconomics and microeconomics; gross domestic product; economic growth and business cycles; unemployment and inflation; aggregate supply and demand; scarcity, opportunity costs, and trade; law of supply and demand; accounting versus economic profits; money and exchange rates; government choices, markets, efficiency, and equity; monopoly and competition; externalities, public goods, and free riders; and globalization and trade policy.
Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of ECON 1220. Students will not receive credit for ECON 1221 unless it has been completed prior to earning a grade of C- or better in either ECON 1900/ECON 1901 or ECON 1950/ECON 1951.
View course details.

One of the following:
ECON 2630
Topics in Indigenous Economics (3,0,0)

ECON 2630 Topics in Indigenous Economics (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students investigate topics related to Indigenous self-governance and economic development in Canada, New Zealand, United States and Australia. Topics include the economic rationale for implementing Indigenous government and jurisdiction ; the economic explanation for income differences for Indigenous groups and; the emerging Indigenous public sector; market failures and successes of First Nations & Indigenous communities; approaches to First Nations & Indigenous economic development; and Indigenous and other policy initiatives to improve Indigenous economies; and design Indigenous governments to support sustainable economies.
Prerequisite: ECON 1220 or ECON 1900 and ECON 1950
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both ECON 2630 and ECON 2631
For more information, search for this course here.

ECON 2631
Topics in Indigenous Economics

ECON 2631 Topics in Indigenous Economics

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Distance

Students investigate topics related to Indigenous self-governance and economic development in Canada, New Zealand, United States and Australia. Topics include the economic rationale for implementing Indigenous government and jurisdiction ; the economic explanation for income differences for Indigenous groups and; the emerging Indigenous public sector; market failures and successes of First Nations & Indigenous communities; approaches to First Nations & Indigenous economic development; and Indigenous and other policy initiatives to improve Indigenous economies; and design Indigenous governments to support sustainable economies. Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for the course, but ECON 1221 or ECON 1901, and ECON 1951 are recommended.
Note: Students cannot get credit for more than one of ECON 2630, ECON 2631.
View course details.

All of the following:
APEC 2640
Residential and Commercial Development on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

APEC 2640 Residential and Commercial Development on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine residential and commercial development on Indigenous peoples lands, using the Indian Act, the First Nation Fiscal Management Act (FMA), and the First Nation Land Management Act (FNLMA). Some of the legal, administrative, and financing infrastructure gaps in the Indian Act that inhibit residential and commercial development are highlighted, and strategies to overcome these legal barriers are explored. Topics include investment on Indigenous peoples lands; Indigenous peoples property rights; land management and development on Indigenous peoples lands; and a case study in Indigenous peoples development negotiations.
Prerequisite: ECON 1220 or equivalent with a minimum C-
For more information, search for this course here.

APEC 2650
Investment Facilitation on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

APEC 2650 Investment Facilitation on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students study the interests of public and private investors and what can be done to attract investment on Indigenous peoples lands. Given that is it four to six times more expensive to facilitate investment for Indigenous peoples projects, emphasis is placed on solutions to reduce investment transaction costs. Topics include transaction costs and economic growth; the legal and administrative framework to facilitate investment; building infrastructure; and creating an investment facilitation work plan.
Prerequisite: ECON 1220 or equivalent with a minimum C-
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both APEC 2650 and ECON 2650
For more information, search for this course here.

APEC 2660
Development on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

APEC 2660 Development on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine the economic and fiscal impacts on Indigenous peoples of existing or proposed resource projects within their territories. They also investigate how Indigenous peoples can successfully negotiate agreements and mediate disputes so to maximize the benefit of these agreements for their communities. Topics include an introduction to resource economics; fiscal and economic impacts of resource projects; environmental review of resource projects; and resource project interest-based negotiation and dispute resolution. The course incorporates examples and case studies of actual Indigenous peoples resource agreements and disputes. It culminates in a Indigenous peoples resource project negotiation simulation and role play.
Prerequisite: ECON 1220 or equivalent with a minimum C-
For more information, search for this course here.

APEC 2670
Indigenous peoples Fiscal Relationship and Economic Development (3,0,0)

APEC 2670 Indigenous peoples Fiscal Relationship and Economic Development (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine how current Indigenous peoples fiscal relationships limit economic growth and development in their communities and the changes that can be made to current public finance policies and systems to address this concern. They are also introduced to the key knowledge and skills necessary to participate in negotiating a new Indigenous peoples fiscal relationship and to help successfully implement it in their communities. Topics include a history of Indigenous peoples Fiscal relationship; public finance in Canada; problems with the Indigenous peoples fiscal relationship; options to improve the Indigenous peoples fiscal relationship; and Indigenous peoples and other government public finance and fiscal interests. The capstone of the course is a Indigenous peoples fiscal relations negotiation role play.
Prerequisite: ECON 1220 or equivalent with a minimum C
For more information, search for this course here.

APEC 2700
Economic Feasibility and Impact Analysis on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

APEC 2700 Economic Feasibility and Impact Analysis on Indigenous peoples Lands (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine cost-benefit analysis and how it can be used to evaluate the economic feasibility and impact of investments on Indigenous peoples lands. Knowledge and skills relating to the time value of money and basic statistical concepts will be developed. Topics include the investment climate and economic strategies; fiscal benefits estimates; estimating economic impacts of investment; cost-benefit analysis fundamentals; and presentation of a cost-benefit assessment.
Prerequisite: ECON 1220 or equivalent with a minimum C-
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both APEC 2700 and ECON 2700
For more information, search for this course here.

Note: Normally ENGL 1021, ECON 1221, ECON 2631, and the English requirement are taken through distance education while the remaining courses are completed on campus.


 

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