Stepping Stones: Certificate in Community Capacity Building for Remote and Rural Aboriginal Communities

This project is no longer active – the pilot completed in 2012 with the end of its funding. Continuation of the program depended on being able to secure funding, preferably in partnership with a First Nations partner wanting to offer Stepping Stones or a customized version of the program in their community.

The Stepping Stones Certificate in Community Capacity Building program is a holistic, culturally relevant, Literacy and Essential Skills program designed to help Aboriginal adults living in rural and remote communities realize their personal and community capacity building goals. The program involves 196 direct instructional hours, which can be delivered over a 3 or 6 month time frame.
The curriculum is structured around the identification, planning, implementing and evaluation of a community-based project that contributes to a longer-term, community-identified focus area or goal.

A Simon Fraser University (SFU) instructor delivers the program online to a cohort of 10 – 15 learners in a community-based learning centre. A community-based tutor-mentor further supports and expands the learning experience by guiding the cohort of learners through the online curriculum. The program model also recommends that a designated community-based staff person coordinate the logistical support to the program, including classroom set up and maintenance, recruitment, as well as learner supports, such as 1-1 encouragement, a meal on class days, child minding, and transportation.

Learners who successfully complete the program are awarded a non-credit, Simon Fraser University Certificate in Community Capacity Building.