The First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) is pleased to announce that The Fundamentals of OCAP® has surpassed a significant benchmark with 10,000 learners successfully completing the popular online course.
This milestone is an indication of the sustained interest in—and the continued commitment to—The First Nations Principles of OCAP®, and an affirmation of FNIGC’s leadership role in the First Nations data sovereignty landscape.
Since its launch in July 2023, thousands of learners from all walks of life have enrolled in The Fundamentals of OCAP® and successfully earned a Statement of Achievement, including those living and working in First Nations communities, as well as provincial and federal government employees, post-secondary students, academics, and non-profit workers. These learners, whose countries of origin range from Canada, the US, and the UK, to Nigeria, The Netherlands, and Bangladesh, all share one thing in common: a better understanding of OCAP® and its applications to First Nations data sovereignty.
“Reaching 10,000 successful course completions is a reflection of the overall quality of the course and of the sustained learner interest in First Nations data sovereignty,” says Kristine Neglia, FNIGC’s Director of Education and Training. “This unprecedented achievement speaks to the increasing demand for learning opportunities that center First Nations perspectives, knowledge, and authority over data.”
In the summer of 2023, FNIGC unveiled a new version of the course that featured a complete redesign, including content updates reflecting the current context of OCAP® and First Nations data sovereignty. It also featured a new interface and look-and-feel that showcases original art by First Nations artists and new narration by First Nations voice actors. Available in English and French, the course is broken down into six modules which can be completed at the learner’s own pace over a six-month period.
Registration for the course is $500 CAD, which may be waived for First Nations learners who apply for financial support through The Fundamentals of OCAP® Sponsorship Program.
“The enduring success of The Fundamentals of OCAP® course demonstrates the commitment that First Nations have to asserting their inherent rights to their own data sovereignty.” says Jonathan Dewar, FNIGC’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am incredibly proud of the work our Education and Training team has done over the many years to get us to this milestone, and we are excited for the next steps that the team has underway”
Supported by a strong foundation in First Nations knowledge systems and perspectives, The Fundamentals of OCAP® online course provides learners with an understanding of the OCAP® principles and how they can be applied to the ownership, control, access and possession of First Nations data. The course supports First Nations in exercising jurisdiction over their data in ways that respect their rights, priorities, and collective well-being.
FNIGC invites you to join the more than 10,000 individuals who have begun their learning journey about OCAP® and First Nations data sovereignty.
To learn more about the course and how to register, visit: https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/take-the-course/