The National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA) announced today that the collaborative initiative to provide formalized education to Aboriginal trustees and community decision-makers is now accepting registrations for its first intake of participants online through Lethbridge College.
With billions of dollars of funds under management across the country, the program is poised to make a significant positive social and economic impact through enhanced decision-making in the use of trust funds. NATOA collaborated with TD Bank Group, Lethbridge College and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to further its efforts to assist Aboriginal communities in becoming self-sustaining and vital economic entities.
“Aboriginal trustees and decision-makers have an important responsibility to maximize trust assets on behalf of their community. This program is intended to give all Aboriginal communities the tools they need for a brighter future for both the short-term and for the seven generations yet unborn,” states NATOA chairperson Wyatt Arcand.
The training has been developed by Lethbridge College with the support of subject-matter experts from NATOA and TD Bank Group and will be delivered online to allow for accessibility across the country. The first intake is targeted to trustee level decision-makers, while a second phase is currently in development for trust managers. The training is designed to accommodate varying educational backgrounds in order to increase participant access. Once complete, the full program will include trustee training, trust manager training and specialized workshops that will collectively build towards a professional designation in Aboriginal Trust Management through NATOA.
Arcand further states, “It is important that the program is accessible to as many people that want to participate as possible; this is one of the primary reasons we are offering it online, keeping it cost-effective and accommodating varying participant education levels. This training is the only of its kind in the country and will serve a considerable need for standardized practice.”
Participants may register though Lethbridge College by calling 1-800-572-0103 (ext. 3323). Registrations are now being accepted for the program start date of February 15, 2011. Further program information may be found at www.natoa.ca or by calling Lethbridge College at (403) 320-3288.