Indigenous Governance and Business Management diploma
Gain the knowledge you need for a vibrant career in as little as two years.
Throughout Canada there is a significant demand for graduates with Indigenous business and governance perspectives both on- and off-reserve.
With the Indigenous Governance and Business Management two-year (20-course) diploma you will gain an Indigenous perspective on business management, community development, governance and entrepreneurship in as little as two years. Your courses will cover a wide range of Indigenous political, legal and economic development issues as well as current practices in Indigenous business relations.
Why the Dhillon School of Business Indigenous Governance and Business Management diploma?
- Your classes are a mix of in-person and online, allowing for collaborative interactions with your peers and instructors that foster a sense of community.
- You'll learn from Indigenous faculty members who bring their lived experiences and cultural expertise to the classroom.
- You'll have the chance to apply what you learn in class to practical, real-world projects with a variety of work-integrated learning options, including paid co-operative education work-terms.
- You'll have access to support to help you on your educational journey, including resources for Indigenous students specifically.
- You'll have the option to ladder into a Dhillon School of Business degree (Bachelor of Management) or pursue studies in a different subject at ULethbridge; the credits you earn in the IGBM diploma count towards most ULethbridge bachelor's degree programs.
Ready for more details? You can see a list of all the courses you'll be taking as part of the Indigenous governance and business management diploma in the program planning guide.
(Just a few) possible careers
- Indigenous agreements analyst
- Corporate consultation and community liaison
- Indigenous engagement officer
- Indigenous relations advisor
- Economic development officer
- Business manager
- External relations officer
I liked the fact that the Indigenous Governance and Business Management (IGBM) program is forward thinking. Rather than focusing solely on the past and historical issues, the IGBM program provides a way to utilize Indigenous ways of knowing in a career. It equips you with the same set of skills as any other business management program… but you are also learning about Indigenous culture and identity and really looking at all of these aspects through an Indigenous lens as well.
Nathan Crow
Current Bmgt. student, majoring in Indigenous Governance and Business Management
Frequently asked questions
Applicants must have one of the following:
- High school diploma
- Six or more transfer courses
- A recognized college diploma in an unrelated discipline
- A recognized undergraduate degree in an unrelated discipline
- Non-matriculated/Mature adult admission (for applicants 21 years of age or older) Please refer to Admission, Adult Student (Mature) Admission Route (p. 26).
International applicants who possess a related diploma or degree from a recognized institution will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis and are not admissible without the prior approval of the Dhillon School of Business. The decision of the School will be final.
More information on admissions here.
Currently, the Indigenous Governance and Business Management diploma is only offered on the Lethbridge campus.
You can start your studies for the diploma in either the September or January intake of each year.
The estimates cost of the Indigenous Governance and Business Management diploma is $15,614 (including books and materials), or $7,807 per year. You can find more information on tuition and fees here.
Some of the classes you'll take as part of your diploma include:
Year 1:
- Introduction to Indigenous Governance and Business Management
- Introduction to Microeconomics
- Fundamentals of Business
- Marketing
- Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship in Canada
Year 2:
- Human Resource Management
- Canadian Indigenous Negotiations
- Current Practices in Canadian Indigenous Governance
- Indigenous Peoples and Natural Resources
- Information Systems and Data Management
Our stories
Royal Adkin (BMgt ’18) — Indigenous Student Advisor (Iikaisskini Indigenous Services)
As an Indigenous Student Advisor, Royal Adkin (BMgt ’18) enjoys connecting Indigenous students with resources and helping to elevate their cultural experiences on campus.
Caitlin Whelpton: 2022 Dhillon School of Business academic gold medal winner
Caitlin Whelpton (BMgt '22) is the recipient of the 2022 undergraduate gold medal for the Dhillon School of Business. Here she talks about what motivated her exceptional effort, her hopes for a career …
Elders in Residence offer campus community spiritual and emotional support
Through traditional teachings and storytelling, the Blackfoot Elders in Residence at the University of Lethbridge offers guidance, cultural support, and encouragement to the campus community. The Carolla (Napiakii) Calf Robe Elders and …
Spirit Prize winner Martin Roundstone hopes to give back to his mentors
Martin Roundstone, a Dhillon School of Business student majoring in Indigenous Governance and Business Management, is the 2024 winner of the Spirit Prize, an award for emerging Indigenous visual artists.
Dhillon School of Business launches new diploma in Indigenous governance and business management in response to market needs
A new diploma from the University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business will provide a quicker way for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike to pursue a career in Indigenous business and governance.
Meet Futures Fund Scholarship winner, Nathan Crow
Pushing himself to his full potential scored Dhillon School of Business student, Nathan Crow a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to Toronto to meet Canada's top chief executive officer of the year.