Roots and Relations: A Pathway into Indigenous Entrepreneurship Certificate
4 Courses
60 Hours
Online
Program Description
Roots & Relations is a supportive four-course online certificate designed for aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs interested in learning about starting a business or turning a business idea into reality. The program fosters a community-based environment where entrepreneurial curiosity meets real-world planning. By centering Indigenous ways of knowing—Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility—alongside foundational business skills, this certificate creates an accessible pathway to strengthening Indigenous community economies.
In this certificate, you will grow through a project-driven model that focuses on building a "living" portfolio, including a business plan and financial ledger, that you can immediately use to help launch a business or connect with Indigenous financial institutions to fund your idea. This path is about more than a career; it’s about economic self-determination. Upon completion, you will receive a University of Alberta digital certificate and badges for each course completion. The certificate honours your knowledge and contribution and opens doors to further education or professional growth.
WHO WILL BENEFIT?
The certificate is designed for aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs, early-stage business owners, particularly those in rural or remote areas, and community economic developers. It also serves individuals looking for a community-focused pathway to formal business education.
How it supports their goals:
- 🗸Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Got a business idea? This certificate is your chance to turn that vision into a real, workable business! You'll create a business plan that's both hands-on and meaningful.
- 🗸Early-Stage Business Owners: For those Indigenous entrepreneurs who are sole proprietors, this certificate provides tools to help you expand and strengthen your business skills. Course content will help you master the business essentials, governance, financial literacy, and compliance needed to secure support from Indigenous financial institutions and formalize your operations.
- 🗸Lifelong Learners: For Indigenous peoples interested in learning business skills, this certificate offers a flexible path. Our low-bandwidth design ensures you can stay connected. Whether you are seeking a digital certificate or a bridge to further post-secondary education, this program honours your journey at every stage.
Questions? Please contact our program team: iepp@ualberta.ca
What You'll Learn
- 🗸Connect your personal identity, values, and purpose to a viable venture idea that responds to a real community need.
- 🗸Map your local business ecosystem and design culturally grounded business models and value propositions.
- 🗸Evaluate start-up risks and legal structures, including specific on-reserve and off-reserve considerations and practical mitigation strategies.
- 🗸Communicate your venture’s story through professional profiles, concise elevator pitches, and respectful Indigenous storytelling practices.
- 🗸Develop networking plans and outreach logs focused on building and sustaining reciprocal relationships with customers, partners, and advisors.
- 🗸Prepare and interpret basic financial statements, manage simple bookkeeping ledgers, and reconcile records for an early-stage venture.
- 🗸Navigate Indigenous-focused financial institutions, compare funding options, and create an actionable next-steps plan with defined SMART goals.
What You'll Earn
- 🗸 After completing each course, learners will receive a digital badge. Once all certificate requirements are met, learners will be awarded a digital parchment. Both digital badge and parchment are securely delivered through MyCreds.
- 🗸 Credential Type: A non-credit certificate providing a flexible, community-centred foundation for future education and micro-credentials.
As you prepare to enroll in the Roots & Relations certificate, please review the essential details regarding the program’s structure, commitments, and requirements.
Recommended Course Order
- Relevance: Roots, Identity, Community and Venture Design
- Reciprocity: Structure, Story & Market Strategy
- Responsibility: Pitching & Relationship Building
- Resilience: Governance, Finance, & Sustainability
There are no formal academic prerequisites.
Time Commitment & Duration
- Total Certificate Hours: The complete certificate consists of approximately 60 hours of learning.
- Course Breakdowns: Each of the four courses is designed for 10-15 hours of learner time.
- Weekly Effort: Modules are designed to be completed in about 1 to 1.5 weeks.
- Completion Timeline: While flexible, the certificate is estimated to take approximately 6 months to complete all four courses.
Learning Format & Technical Requirements
- Guided and Self-Paced Learning: This journey is fully online, offering a balance between self-paced activities and scheduled, live Advisor-Led Circles and individual support. The live sessions will bring learners together, share knowledge, and support one another in real-time.
- Accessibility for All Lands: We recognize that our learners join us from many different territories. Our materials are intentionally designed for low-bandwidth access, ensuring that whether you are using a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop, you can stay connected to your studies regardless of your internet speed or location.
- A Circle of Support: You are never alone in this certificate program. You will have regular opportunities to connect with the instructors, advisors, and fellow learners - ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.
Assessment & Requirements
- Competency-Based Model: There are no traditional exams. Instead, you are assessed based on your ability to complete practical milestones and build a professional portfolio.
- The Portfolio: Throughout the courses, you will assemble a professional portfolio containing a living business plan, financial records, a risk register, and a pitch deck.
- Grading: Courses are graded on a Complete/Not Complete basis.
You may be eligible for funding and scholarships – explore your Funding and Scholarship Opportunities.
- The certificate program is offered at no cost to the learner for the inaugural cohorts to remove financial barriers and support the launch of the model.
- To learn about transferability from other institutions, see our Transfer Credit information.
- International Students are welcome to enroll and pay the same course fees as local students.
- Proficiency in English and a stable internet connection are needed to participate and succeed in our courses.
- Please note that non-credit programming does not qualify for a study permit, therefore, this program cannot be used for immigration to Canada. For more information, please contact University of Alberta International Student Services.