FNTI explained

FNTI
Former Name:	First Nations Technical Institute
Established:	1985
Type:	Indigenous-owned and -governed post-secondary institute
President:	Suzanne Katsi'tsiarihshion Brant
City:	Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Province:	Ontario
Country:	Canada
Address:	3 Old York Road
Coordinates:	44.1937°N -77.113°W

FNTI (formerly known as First Nations Technical Institute)^[1] is an Indigenous-owned and -governed post-secondary institute located in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario. The institute puts on programming rooted in Indigegogy and Indigenous ways of knowing.

FNTI is a registered non-profit/charitable organization, accredited by the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC),^[2] a member of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), and undergoing the process of an organizational review with the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council.^[3]

As of July 2020, FNTI has over 4,000 graduates with certificate, diploma and degree credentials issued in partnership with recognized Ontario colleges and universities. The institute will begin the delivery of standalone bachelor's degrees in 2020 in accordance with the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017.^[4]

As of July 2020, FNTI has an overall graduation rate of 93% and its graduates have a 98% employment rate.

History

In 1917, the Canadian Royal Flying Corps survey operation identified the flatlands of Tyendinaga as an excellent location for a flight training facility, Camp Mohawk. In 1985, FNTI federally incorporated to create educational pathways for Indigenous Peoples.

FNTI started their First Peoples’ Aviation Technology – Flight program in 1989 to train First Nations, Métis and Inuit pilots on the former Camp Mohawk site.

Partnerships

Since its inception, the institute has delivered certificate, diploma and degree credentials issued in partnership with recognized Ontario colleges and universities. In 2020, FNTI will begin delivering its own standalone bachelor's degrees in accordance with the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017.

2019–2020 College and University Partners:

• Canadore College
• Queen's University
• Toronto Metropolitan University
• St. Lawrence College
• Wilfrid Laurier University

Accreditation and Associations:

• Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan)
• Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council (IAESC)
• World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC)

Programs offered

Post-Secondary Programs at FNTI in Partnership with Ontario Colleges and Universities

Diploma Level

• Early Childhood Education (Canadore College)
• Mental Health and Addiction Worker (Canadore College)
• Social Service Worker (Canadore College)

Advanced Diploma Level

• First Peoples' Aviation Technology—Flight (Canadore College)

Degree Level

• Bachelor of Arts Public Administration and Governance (Toronto Metropolitan University)
• Bachelor of Social Work (Toronto Metropolitan University)

Graduate Level

• Master of Social Work (Wilfrid Laurier University)
• Master of Public Administration (Queen's University)

Programs under development

FNTI Standalone bachelor's degrees for delivery in 2020:

• Bachelor of Arts and Science Indigenous Sustainable Food Systems
• Bachelor of Health Sciences Indigenous Midwifery
• Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work

Notes and References

1. Web site: History of FNTI. July 30, 2020. FNTI.
2. Web site: Accredited institutions. 2021-03-05. WINHEC.org. World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium. . WINHEC Accrediting Authority, WINHEC Accreditation Handbook—Higher Education, Indigenous Teacher Education, P–12 Education: On-line—General Processes, 1st ed. (Honolulu: World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium, 2018‑08‑01).
3. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/180239 General, O. Reg. 239/18
4. https://canlii.ca/t/9101 S.O. 2017, c. 34, Sch. 20