FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFOA CANADA ANNOUNCES FIRST ACADEMIC GRADUATES OF THE CERTIFIED ABORIGINAL PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATOR (CAPA) IN‐PERSON PROGRAM

Ottawa, Ontario, December 1, 2014 – On behalf of the Board of Directors and President and CEO of AFOA Canada it is with great pleasure that we announce the academic graduation of CAPA Cohort 1 participants.  These 10 graduates took part in 6 Intensive Weekend Sessions that covered 16 competencies in a period of 13 months. The final session concluded with a graduation ceremony at the Marriott at River Cree Casino and Resort in Alberta, on Sunday November 23, 2014. In attendance were Chief Tony Alexis from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Alberta, who performed an honour song for the graduates, and Chief Don Harris from the Douglas First Nation in British Columbia. Both Chiefs acknowledged and praised the graduates, thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the learning process, and indicated that with this knowledge they would greatly enhance and enrich their contributions as leaders in the communities and organizations they served.

The Graduates included: Shannon Beaverbones, Tabitha Eneas, Heather Fader, Veronica Hayward, Irene Kootenay, Lyle Leo, Delphine Morin, Sherri Running Rabbit, Elaine Uppahuak‐Prusky, and Lucille Wright.

“It was absolutely magnificent to see 10 graduates successfully complete the academic requirements of the AFOA Canada CAPA In‐Person Program” said Dr. Paulette Tremblay, Vice President, Education and Training. “CAPA Cohort 1 participants blazed the trail for others by being the first graduates of this Program. With over 50 people in attendance, you could feel the joy and excitement in the room. It was a ceremony honouring the graduates for their learning achievements; it was a celebration for the anticipated positive impact their achievements would have in their communities and organizations.” Dr. Tremblay also noted that “The graduates expressed that providing an environment where they could actively share their views and learn from each other was pivotal to the success of their learning experience. Having come full circle from the design, development, implementation, and graduation of the first CAPA In‐Person Program participants, I have witnessed the growth and positive impact that this Program has had. With the constant input and feedback of the participants, this Program has evolved into a valuable, meaningful and significant program for senior and aspiring managers working in Aboriginal communities and organizations. This is just the beginning of the Program and AFOA Canada welcomes your participation in future sessions.”

The purpose of CAPA is to enhance the knowledge and skills of senior and aspiring administrators/managers working in Aboriginal communities and organizations through professional training and a national certification process. Developed under the guidance of an Aboriginal CAPA Council, this is the only national program in Canada that addresses the competency needs of those working in Aboriginal environments. Session facilitators and guest speakers are “specialists” in their fields and proficient in Aboriginal matters. Participants had the opportunity to engage in interactive and participatory sessions with others working in similar environments.  Graduates of the CAPA Cohort 1 will now be required to challenge a comprehensive CAPA exam in order to obtain their official CAPA designation.