Qualified planners are highly sought by First Nations communities to help improve the livelihoods of the people who live there through sound economic development and skilled land management.

Develop your understanding of specific knowledge and abilities to be a reliable planner or consultant for First Nations communities.

Opportunities for skilled planners increase as many First Nations move to define land claims in Canada, potentially giving First Nations significant responsibilities for land and community planning. However, planning by and with First Nations requires planners to have specific skills and abilities, whether or not they themselves are Indigenous.

Begin by gaining foundational knowledge in planning, Canada’s Indigenous peoples, ecology and economics. Learn about geographic information systems, earth sciences and Canadian government and politics. In the upper years, learn about Indigenous environmental philosophy as well as law and Indigenous peoples.

Through applied classes and projects, gain knowledge and practice skills to help First Nations communities articulate and implement meaningful community projects in infrastructure, housing and resource management.

First Nation communities have significant and growing demands for qualified planners. The opportunities for skilled planners increase as many First Nations move to define land claims in Canada, potentially giving First Nations significant responsibilities for land and community planning. However, planning by and with First Nations requires specific skills and abilities in the planners, whether or not they themselves are First Nation.

For most First Nations communities few distinctions are made between ecological/environmental planning and planning for social and cultural needs which are developed from within, and are grounded in, the ecosystem. First Nations planning must necessarily integrate all of these domains. First Nations wish to remain grounded in tradition and seek to move into the future through sound community economic development and skilled land management. Most face significant community development needs, including infrastructure development, housing and health planning. Students need not only a sound grasp of planning principles, but also an understanding of the protocols, history, social structure and ecology of Canadian First Nations. Cross-cultural translation skills, community participation techniques and a solid grounding in ethics are required.

Career Paths
Registered Professional Planner
Planner for a First Nations community
First Nations land manager
Project manager
Planning consultant