©UWinnipeg
UWinnipeg’s Master’s in Development Practice program (MDP) gives students a chance to do development differently. The MDP focuses on Indigenous development and is the only program in the world to focus on how Indigenous knowledge and experience can help shape a sustainable path for development, rooted in culture and identity.
Now, thanks to an agreement with the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (Cando), future MDP graduates will also be awarded the organization’s Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED) certificate. This is an asset for any MDP graduate wanting to work in Canada within Indigenous organizations. Cando is the national Indigenous organization that promotes economic development.
“It surely enhances the professional opportunities for our students,” said Jennifer Ledoux, MDP career counsellor, UWinnipeg. “Networking opportunities offered to those with Cando certification will be a huge plus for our MDP graduates.”
Cando’s certification coordinator Vanessa Tait is thrilled with the new agreement.
“This further assures students enrolled in the accredited program are getting relevant and practical education to enhance and recognize the reputation of Aboriginal practitioners,” said Tait. “In having The University of Winnipeg as an accredited institute it ensures that there are more options to certify Indigenous economic development officers. Cando is pleased to have this partnership, as it will ensure Cando’s curriculum-based competency requirements are met and will standardize the skills and knowledge of Aboriginal economic development officers across Canada.”
A number of other post-secondary schools from across the country have been offering Cando certification upon completion of their programs, but UWinnipeg is unique in that it is first school that will be able to grant Cando certification since the organization altered its competency requirements in 2015.
In addition to being the Cando’s certification coordinator, Tait is also a UWinnipeg alumna, a QEII scholar, and a graduate from the MDP program.
About Cando
Cando is a federally registered, non-profit society that is Indigenous controlled, community based, and membership driven. Cando is directed by a national regionally represented volunteer board of elected Economic Development Officers (EDO) representing every region of Canada. EDOs need to be thoroughly trained, highly skilled and committed to building economic capacity in order to provide professional support and technical advice to their communities and organizations. Cando has been instrumental in facilitating partnerships with EDOs, academics, Indigenous leaders and senior corporate and government representatives. Cando is unique because it is the only national organization that focuses on education and professional development for EDOs working in Indigenous communities or organizations.
To learn more about the program and the benefits of TAED please visit the MDP.
