Indigenous-led · Practitioner-grounded
Professionals discussing Board work around a table with laptops, notebooks and Indigenous artwork

Board Support Masterclass

Practical Board Administration for Professionals Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Organizations

Based on The Administrative Role in Governance for Indigenous Organizations™.

Become the governance professional your organization can rely on.

Develop the knowledge, judgment and practical skills to guide Board processes with confidence. Understand the decisions, responsibilities and relationships behind governance—and carry that knowledge forward in service to your organization and community.

Build expertise. Strengthen governance. Share knowledge that lasts.

Start the Board Support Masterclass

$899 CAD · Eight online modules

Your handbook is included in the student portal. Modules follow the course release schedule; return to available lessons at your own pace. A Certificate of Completion is issued by Indigenous Board Administrative & Governance Services after all eight modules qualify.

See the bigger picture. Take ownership of your role.

Learn to prepare Board meetings with purpose, document decisions accurately, track commitments and safeguard the records that help an organization move forward.

Your growth strengthens the work of the people and communities you serve.

Registration
$899 CAD

Eight modules, your student handbook and a Certificate of Completion after successful completion.

Enrol in the Masterclass

Learn with respect for distinct First Nations, Inuit and Métis governance practices. Community-specific protocols, teachings and governing authority guide their application in your workplace.

Before you register

Format
Self-directed online study
Modules
8 practitioner modules
Access
Available now
Materials
Student handbook & practical governance resources
Certificate
Certificate of Completion issued by IBAGS

Enrol now. Sign in with your confirmed registration email to access the student portal and included handbook. Available lessons remain accessible, so you can learn at your own pace and return whenever you like.

Modules 1–2 and the student handbook are available now. Modules 3–8 still require reviewed videos and approved knowledge checks before they can be completed. A Certificate of Completion requires all eight modules.

Questions about course access, completion requirements or learner support? Email knowledge@indigenousboardgov.com before registering.

Outcomes

What you'll be able to do by the end.

  • 01Move through the board cycle with administrative confidence and respect for Indigenous decision-making processes
  • 02Prepare agendas, board packages, and meeting materials that honour Indigenous knowledge and organizational protocols
  • 03Record minutes, motions, and resolutions that protect the organization and preserve community memory
  • 04Steward policies and bylaws so they reflect both Indigenous values and the practical realities of your organization
  • 05Welcome and orient new directors within the context of Indigenous governance and community accountability
  • 06Support accountability to your Nation, community, members, funders, and future generations
  • 07Preserve governance memory and continuity through staff and leadership transitions
  • 08Bridge day-to-day administrative practice with the protocols, relationships, and responsibilities of Indigenous governance
Curriculum

Eight modules. Built around Indigenous foundations of Governance.

Eight self-directed online modules, completed on your schedule. Explore the eight modules below and download the curriculum overview.

  1. 01Module

    Foundations of Indigenous Governance

    Context, history, and the operating environment of Indigenous organizations. Where the administrative role sits inside it.

  2. 02Module

    The Board Cycle

    Annual calendars, meeting cadence, agenda design, and the rhythm of preparing a board to govern well.

  3. 03Module

    Meeting Administration

    Notices, quorum, motions, resolutions, conflicts of interest, in-camera procedure, and accurate, defensible minutes.

  4. 04Module

    Policy Workflow & Writing

    How a policy moves from need to draft to approval to implementation — and the writing systems that keep it usable.

  5. 05Module

    Records, Resolutions & Governance Memory

    Building a records architecture that protects organizational memory through staff and board transition.

  6. 06Module

    Committees & Terms of Reference

    Standing and ad-hoc committees, mandates, reporting lines, and keeping committee work aligned to board purpose.

  7. 07Module

    Director Onboarding & Succession

    Welcoming new directors, building their fluency, and preparing the organization for leadership transitions.

  8. 08Module

    Accountability, Reporting & Impact

    Governance reporting to members, funders, and community — translating operations into clear accountability.

Who it's for

Built for the people who do the work.

This course centres the administrative role — the role that makes governance actually function inside Indigenous organizations.

  • 01Executive Assistants & Board Secretaries
  • 02Governance & Administrative Coordinators
  • 03Executive Directors building their admin team
  • 04Board Chairs working with new administrators
  • 05Emerging governance professionals in Indigenous organizations
Enrolment

Enrol in the Board Support Masterclass.

Complete the form below and continue to secure payment. Your registration is confirmed once payment is successfully processed.

Billing address

By continuing to payment, you acknowledge that you are purchasing a digital offering for course access. Final sale means no change-of-mind refunds; statutory rights and the prepaid undelivered course cancellation protection remain. See the Refund and Cancellation Policy.

Payment is processed securely by Stripe. We do not store your card details.

Testimonials

“The book is absolutely EXEMPLARY for someone coming into an Indigenous organization - A.C. has such great knowledge of pros and cons. This is indeed for the betterment of all people in this role wanting to know more.”
— Elder Dr. Whitman-Peters
“The handbook is well organized and professional - so easy to navigate! It really stands out for its focus on governance, going beyond topics such as honorarium protocols.”
— N. Gardener
“Such an excellent resource for navigating my way in administrative governance. Thank you for sharing your perspectives. Such a valuable resource!”
— B.A.
FAQ

Questions about the course.

When can I start, and how are modules released?▼

Enrol now. Sign in with your confirmed registration email to access the student portal and included handbook. Available lessons remain accessible, so you can learn at your own pace and return whenever you like.

Who Is Teaching This Course?▼

Your instructor is A.C. Lynch, GPC Desig., a Governance Practitioner with a background in law, governance, and Indigenous organizational governance administration. With 15+ years of experience, A.C. Lynch has supported Indigenous Boards, Executive Directors, and Administrative professionals, helping strengthen governance practices across Indigenous organizations.

Holding the Governance Professionals of Canada Designation (GPC. Desig.), this course was developed to address the need for specialized education for administrative professionals working within Indigenous Governance. The course has also been informed by the perspectives of Elders and members of Indigenous communities, combining practical experience with Indigenous knowledge to create learning that is both relevant and immediately applicable.

What is included in the registration?▼

Registration includes eight online modules, the handbook downloadable inside your student portal, practical governance resources and a Certificate of Completion after successful completion.

Is this course only for individuals?▼

Individuals can register directly. Organizations that want to enrol several staff can contact us directly at knowledge@indigenousboardgov.com.

Can I get a refund?▼

Digital purchases are final sale: no change-of-mind refunds, returns, exchanges or credits. Statutory rights remain protected. Please review the Refund and Cancellation Policy before purchasing.

How will I receive course materials?▼

Sign in to the student portal with the email used for your registration. Enrolled students can select “Download Your Handbook” under Course Resources. Course materials are available to enrolled learners at no extra payment.

What payment methods are accepted?▼

Secure checkout accepts major credit and debit cards. The transaction is processed in Canadian dollars (CAD) by Stripe, our payment provider.

What certificate will I receive?▼

After successfully completing all eight modules, participants receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Indigenous Board Administrative & Governance Services. It records completion of this course.

What if a download fails?▼

For a failed download or a fresh replacement link, email knowledge@indigenousboardgov.com with your purchase email and order or payment reference. Never send card details. The instant purchase-page link expires after one hour; the emailed link is valid for seven days. Link expiry does not expire a PDF you have saved.

Enrolling staff from your organization?

Develop your team’s knowledge and strengthen the support behind your Board. The Organizational Package includes the course, handbook and a private 60-minute virtual mentorship session with the instructor.

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