FNFMA: First Nations Fiscal Management Act

This course will provide participants with an examination of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (FNFMA), including an introduction to the major institutions created by the FNFMA and the tools created by the Act. In addition, the course will provide an opportunity for participants to learn how the enabling tools may be used to strengthen the financial administration and economic development capacities of First Nation communities who choose to participate under the legislation. The FNFMA is legislation that was passed in 2005 and established fiscal institutions designed to provide First Nation band governments with the practical tools available to other governments for modern fiscal management. This course covers the following:

Introduction and Benefits of the FNFMA:
  • The Institutions-What They Can Do (An Overview)
  • Participating in FNFMA
  • Taxation
  • The Indian Act and FNFMA (Some Differences)
  • Borrowing and the FNFA
  • Risks
  • FNFA – Financial Options for the Borrower
  • The Financial Administration Law (FAL)
  • The Certification Process

Registration Details


The cost for this course is

  • Members: $535 (plus applicable taxes)
  • Non-members: $645 (plus applicable taxes) 

How to Register



Learning Goals and Objectives


Learning Goal 1

To provide the learner with a learning experience which will assist him/her to acquire foundation knowledge of the FNFMA, its purposes, institutions and benefits – all designed to strengthen the financial administration and economic development capacities of First Nations.

Learning Objective 1.1 (Introduction and Benefits of the FNFMA)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the benefits that a selected (example) First Nation could derive from assuming Property Taxation Authority.

Learning Objective 1.2 (Preliminary Self-Assessment)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and briefly explained additional capacity (preliminary) requirements a selected (example) First Nation might be required to obtain certification by FNFMA.

Learning Objective 1.3 (Introduction to Institutions)
At the end of the lesson, the learning will have written a basic description of each of the four (4) institutions found in the FNFMA.

Learning Objective 1.4 (Property Taxation)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly described property taxation and identified its basic purposes, characteristics and uses.

Learning Objective 1.5 (Property Taxation and FNTC)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and compared the difference(s) between the property tax and financial administration provisions of the Indian Act and those of the FNFMA.

Learning Objective 1.6 (Credit Markets)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained, in general terms, credit markets, their role in the economy and how they may benefit First Nations.

Learning Objective 1.7 (FNFA and FMB – the link)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified the authority and role of FNFA, how it participates in credit markets and how this activity can result in benefits to First Nations.

Learning Objective 1.8 (Role of the FMB)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the authorities and role of the FMB, and some of the services it provides to First Nations.

Learning Goal 2

To provide the learner with a basic knowledge of the structure of a Financial
Administration Law (FAL) and FAL Standards.

Learning Objective 2.1 (FAL and Financial Performance Certification)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained the role and Legislated Authority of FALs and their strengthening of the financial administration of a First Nation community by meeting FMB Standards.

Learning Objective 2.2 (Key Components of a FAL)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the purposes of the key components of a FAL.

Learning Goal 3

To provide the learner with a basic knowledge of Financial Management Systems, Financial Performance Certifications as well as FMB’s intervention role.

Learning Objective 3.1 (Financial Systems Certification)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained the purpose of Financial Systems Certification and its relationship to an FAL.

Learning Objective 3.2 (Financial Performance Certification)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly explained the purpose of Financial Performance Certification, how it is measured and its relationship to credit markets.

Learning Objective 3.3 (Financial Performance Certification Procedures)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have drafted a brief step by step overview of how a First Nation requests a Financial Performance Review.

Learning Objective 3.4 (Intervention)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have identified and explained the reasons and basic procedures for FMB intervention.

Learning Goal 4

To provide the learner with an orientation to the expected organization change that may come about as a result of the adoption of a FAL and the FMB Certification Process and the role of Change Agents in that organization change.

Learning Objective 4.1 (Role of Change Agent – Some Theory)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have correctly identified and explained the roles of a Change Agent and the importance of strong sponsorship.

Learning Objective 4.2 (Some Theory)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have identified and explained three (3) basic levels of organizational change and the application of theory from Learning Objective 4.1 to those changes.

Learning Objective 4.3 (Implement Change)
At the end of the lesson, the learner will have prepared and delivered a presentation using a sample First Nation, identifying strategies to implement a FAL and Financial Systems and Performance Standards.

Course Information


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Online Course Procedure


Please read AFOA Canada's Online Course Procedures for detailed information.