Indigenous Sport and Recreation Graduate Certificate

 

Learn to build relationships in healthy Indigenous communities as a recreation and sport leader.

The Indigenous Sport and Recreation Graduate Certificate is designed to help working professionals gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous communities through sport and recreation.

This certificate will provide you with the knowledge and skills to effectively work and consult with Indigenous communities and organizations.

This program will be of interest to:

  • Recreation professionals, kinesiologists, exercise specialists
  • Educators, Elementary & Secondary
  • Allied health professionals
  • Physicians, Nurses
  • Law Enforcement Officials
  • Programmers/Program Directors
  • Non-profit sport organizations

Courses are instructor-led and delivered online along with an in-person, one-week learning experience.

The Indigenous Sport and Recreation Graduate Certificate can also be laddered into a course-based Master of Arts degree from the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation.

Funding opportunities available. All students will automatically be considered; funding is limited.

Applications for September 2023 are now open. Cohorts begin once a year in September.

Deadline to apply is August 1, 2023.

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Please see the FAQ section below for information on courses, tuition and program requirements. Question not answered below? Reach out to KSRCertificates@ualberta.ca.

 

claire_wade.jpgClaire Wade
Teacher, Golden Hills School Division
ISR Certificate Graduate

"The Indigenous Sport and Recreation Graduate Certificate has truly made me a better person and teacher. Everything I have learned in this program, I have brought back to my teaching career. It gave me the tools to better communicate with the communities that I work with."

beth-hudson.jpgBeth Hudson
Events Manager, Aboriginal Sports Circle of NWT
ISR Certificate Graduate

"The program allowed me to connect to my Indigenous identity by tying concepts back to my own childhood and vulnerability as an Indigenous youth who was removed from my Indigenous community. It was powerful, meaningful and absolutely one of the most incredible programs I've ever been a part of."

joe-dixon---small.jpgJoe Dixon
Manager of Recreation Services, Hope Recreation Centre
ISR Certificate Graduate

“The program allowed me to gain a completely different perspective on programming, building Indigenous relationships within the community and being a manager within a recreation setting. I grew an appreciation for building community programming that is heavily based on consultation with the Indigenous community. If you are in the field of sports and recreation, this certificate is crucial to developing and having the lens to be working in the field."

morgan.jpgMorgan Bamford
Indigenous Relations Consultant, City of Edmonton
ISR Certificate Graduate

“Occasionally, our office is called on to offer advice or insight to our colleagues working in recreation facilities. We also support several Indigenous sport and recreation activities happening in the City throughout the year. The learning from the ISRC has helped me to better understand the context of sport and recreation for Indigenous communities and to approach all of this work with more humility and a critical, yet constructive lens.”

janet.jpgJanet Naclia 
Programs Manager, Alberta Recreation and Parks Association
ISR Certificate Graduate

"The Indigenous Sport and Recreation Graduate Certificate compels you to stop and really think deeply about our shared history with Indigenous peoples and how that affects our roles in the community and as recreation professionals. If we truly want to be conduits for change, we need to not only know but understand the impact that this shared history has on us all."


How it Works

how_it_works_isrgc1.jpg

Courses are instructor-led and delivered online. They combine the best aspects of real time (synchronous) learning guided by your instructor and independent self-directed (asynchronous) study which can be accomplished according to your schedule.

Please note: there may be scheduled times in which students are expected to attend live online sessions.

Courses

Students are required to complete three courses in a prescribed order. 

Courses will be taken consecutively:

  • Indigeneity and Settler Colonialism
  • Managing Recreation, Sport, and Physical Activity Programs in Indigenous Communities
  • Indigenous Peoples' Physical Activity

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Courses and details are listed below:

Indigeneity and Settler Colonialism

This introductory course will cover an outline of historical and contemporary issues relevant to Indigenous peoples in settler/colonial states. Students will critically understand political, social and historical relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in settler/colonial States. Engagement with Indigenous knowledge and belief frameworks will be central to the course materials. (4 credits)

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  • Engage with Indigenous epistemological frameworks in order to analyze issues from an Indigenous approach.
  • Outline historical and contemporary issues relevant to Indigenous peoples in settler/colonial states.
  • Identify the political, social and historical relationships and intergenerational impacts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in settler/colonial states.
  • Explain the ways in which contemporary Indigenous peoples decolonize themselves from the effects of colonialism through sport and recreation.

Course Instructor: Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh

Dr. Karen FoxDr. McHugh's research is broadly focused on enhancing the sport, physical activity, and body image experiences of youth. Through qualitative and collaborative research approaches her research provides an in-depth exploration of the psychological aspects of such experiences. Dr. McHugh has extensive experience working with women and girls, as well as Indigenous youth. Her commitment to community-based participatory research has supported the success of her nationally funded program of research

Indigenous Peoples' Physical Activity

The second course will describe the historical and contemporary roles of physical activity and sport (sport, recreation and leisure practices) in the lives of Indigenous people. Course content will include the potential role of physical activity in the promotion of Indigenous peoples' holistic health as well as critique the conceptual and theoretical frameworks used to understand and promote physical activity. (4 credits)

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  • Describe the historical and contemporary roles of physical activity, including sport and recreation, in the lives of Indigenous peoples
  • Examine the potential positive role of physical activity in the promotion of Indigenous peoples' health
  • Critique and apply conceptual and theoretical frameworks used to understand and promote the physical activity of Indigenous peoples

Course Instructor: Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh

Dr. Tara-Leigh McHughDr. McHugh's research is broadly focused on enhancing the sport, physical activity, and body image experiences of youth. Through qualitative and collaborative research approaches her research provides an in-depth exploration of the psychosocial aspects of such experiences. Dr. McHugh has extensive experience working with women and girls, as well as Indigenous youth. Her commitment to community-based participatory research has supported the success of her nationally funded program of research.

Managing Recreation, Sport, and Physical Activity Programs in Indigenous Communities

In this third course, students will acquire a strong knowledge of management concepts in sport, recreation, and physical activity. Students will gain an understanding of the application of management knowledge in Indigenous communities as well the development of funding models germane to delivering programs in Indigenous communities.
(4 credits)

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  • To gain an understanding of sport management concepts;
  • Foster critical thinking about mainstream approaches to Indigenous sport, recreation, and physical activity;
  • To advance knowledge of Indigenous approaches to sport, recreation, and physical activity programs;
  • To gain an awareness of Indigenous ethical considerations regarding the development of programs and research;
  • To develop practical knowledge and skills regarding community-based partnership development;
  • To develop practical knowledge and skills regarding funding opportunities as they apply to Indigenous sport, recreation, and physical activity; and,
  • To engage in graduate level thinking and theorizing about Indigenous concepts as they apply to sport, recreation, and physical activity.

Course Instructor: Dr. Tricia McGuire-Adams Dr. Tricia McGuire-Adams

FAQs

How do I apply?

Applications are currently being accepted. Space is limited, secure your spot today. Click here to apply.

What is the application deadline?

Application Deadline: August 5, 2022

What is the cost?

Tuition and fees for this Graduate Certificate is approx $5,100 and excludes conference fees, accommodations, meals and transportation for the one week learning experience that students are responsible for.

Who is this certificate for?

This program will be of interest to:

  • Recreation professionals, kinesiologists, exercise specialists
  • Educators, Elementary & Secondary
  • Allied health professionals
  • Physicians, Nurses
  • Law Enforcement Officials
  • Programmers/Program Directors
  • Non-profit sport organizations
What skills will I gain?

Courses will provide an in-depth study on historical and contemporary issues in the areas of health and wellness, recreation management and physical activities as it relates to Indigenous communities. Students will be able to identify and discuss key policies that influence recreation, sport and physical activity programs in Indigenous communities and engage communities. Students will examine potential role of physical activity in the promotion of Indigenous peoples' holistic health.

The one week face-to-face learning experience will provide an opportunity for students to meet, connect, and learn with others in the cohort and share experiences and knowledge. This component is extremely valuable in an online learning environment.

What are the requirements?
  • Eligible students will have an Undergraduate Degree (if you do not meet this requirement, please contact the Manager, Community Education at KSRCertificates@ualberta.ca)
  • For those students whose first language is not English, please refer to FGSR's English Language proficiency found here.
  • A minimum of 2 years related work experience.
  • A current curriculum vitae/resume.
  • A letter of intent.
  • 1 professional letter of reference
When do courses begin?

The next cohort will begin in September 2021. Applications are now being accepted until August 6th, 2021. Space is limited, be sure to secure your sport today.

The certificate is offered using a cohort model; students who enroll in the program will complete all three courses and face to face learning experience together and will take the courses in the prescribed order over a 10 month period.

Please contact the Manager of International and Community Education at KSRCertificates@ualberta.ca if you have any questions about the courses or program.

Can I use this certificate for a course-based Master of Arts degree?

The Indigenous Sport and Recreation Certificate can be laddered into a course-based Master of Arts degree program in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. Completion of one or more Graduate Certificates does not guarantee admission into a Master of Arts or Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure or other graduate programs. Prospective students will be required to apply and meet admission requirements of the specific Masters program to which they are applying.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report

Th​is​ proposed certificate support​s​ the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report which speaks directly to sport, education, and leadership. The relevant recommendations are below.

87. We call upon all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame, and other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.

88. We call upon all levels of government to take action to ensure long-term Aboriginal athlete development and growth, and continued support for the North American Indigenous Games, including funding to host the games and for provincial and territorial team preparation and travel.

89. We call upon the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to support reconciliation by ensuring that policies to promote physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being, reduce barriers to sports participation, increase the pursuit of excellence in sport, and build capacity in the Canadian sport system, are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples.

90. We call upon the federal government to ensure that national sports policies, programs, and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples, including, but not limited to, establishing:

  • In collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, stable funding for, and access to, community sports programs that reflect the diverse cultures and traditional sporting activities of Aboriginal peoples.
  • An elite athlete development program for Aboriginal athletes.
  • Programs for coaches, trainers, and sports officials that are culturally relevant for Aboriginal peoples.
  • Anti-racism awareness and training programs.
91. We call upon the officials and host countries of international sporting events such as the Olympics, Pan Am, and Commonwealth games to ensure that Indigenous peoples' territorial protocols are respected, and local Indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participating in such events.

The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/ Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community.

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