The First Nations and the School of Leaders of HEC Montreal launch the School of First Nations Leaders (EDPN). Intended for First Nations leaders, it will welcome its first cohort on December 9. The training will take place both at the new HEC Montréal pavilion, downtown, in communities and virtually.
“It is natural to be actively involved in such a project, because it responds to our mission to train leaders,” said Serge Lafrance, associate professor and director of the School of Managers at HEC Montréal, “which plays a role incubator ”, at a press conference on Thursday. “More education means more economic wealth. We are committed to putting all the necessary resources for its sustainability. “
Mr. Lafrance describes the school as a historic project. “First Nations have a rich history of governance and community based on their own values and traditions,” he continued. After a few centuries, [ça a] in the sense that there is a school of leaders specific to the image of the First Nations. […] The EDPN project is also an affirmation project open to other communities and civil society. A project of equal to equal, nation to nation. An impact project for future generations in a logic of succession. “
The idea for such a training venue was born a year ago and comes from two graduates of the McGill-HEC Montreal EMBA: Manon Jeannotte, consultant in the development of business strategies and First Nations governance, and the lawyer Ken Rock. “The School’s philosophy is to strengthen the skills of our leaders by combining our ancient knowledge with best practices in contemporary management, a must for our self-determination,” explained Manon Jeannotte.
“I have the firm conviction that the school will bring positive impacts in the life of the First Nations,” continued Ken Rock. It will fill an important need in terms of education and training of leaders. It is believed that it will attract chiefs from different First Nations and that, by coming together, they will learn both from the participants and from the teachers and that the communities will come together at the same level. Also, it is important that the leaders of tomorrow are in contact with those of today. All these exchanges will allow the First Nations to grow. “
The six-month training courses, consisting of three-day course weekends, will be free. “We want accessibility [sur deux plans] : geographic and financial, explains Serge Lafrance. We want to democratize access to training. “
Already 24 trainers are associated with the EDPN, half from HEC Montreal, and the other from members of the First Nations, such as Ghislain Picard, chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. “It is important to acquire the necessary means to engage communities, leaders and those who wish to be,” said the latter at the conference, which was held on the sidelines of the Great Economic Circle of Indigenous Peoples. and Quebec. “This is an initiative that deserves our support. “
The EDPN aims to initially attract people in leadership positions, top leaders and board chairs. Thereafter, it will be open to administrators, managers, entrepreneurs and the next generation.