Akii and Environmental Stewardship

Level 1 consists of 6 three-credit courses over approximately a year that introduce students to the basics of land management with a strong focus on Indigenous and cross-cultural context. Hands-on activities, land-based learning, and knowledge-keeper presentations are key parts of the curriculum. For the 2025/26 cohort, the first course will be held in-person May 2-5, 2025 and the second course Aug 25-29, 2025 (hybrid format), followed by the third (online) and fourth (hybrid) courses in the fall, and a fifth (asynchronously online) in the winter term (2026). To complete Level 1, there will be one final course in the spring of 2026.

Zhii Taadaa (“Let’s Get Ready”) was developed in partnership with the Anishinaabe Initiatives Division (AID). Joe Tom Sayers, a former Director of AID, communicated with Albert Owl Jr. who gifted the name of the program. Zhii Taadaa is available for students wishing to have a more in-depth orientation to the course material in advance of the beginning of the first and second Level 1 courses. This year, Zhii Taadaa will be held on May 2, 2025. Students will be supported by an Anishinaabe Academic Success Advisor throughout their studies. Registration for the Aki & Environmental Stewardship Certificate and Level 1 courses is now open until April 30, 2025 (please endeavour to register before this date as the first course starts on May 5, 2025).

Once students complete their Level 1, they can continue on to Level 2 which is offered by NALMA and if successful receive their Professional Lands Management Certification from NALMA. Students who do end up completing Level 2, can use their Level 1 and 2 courses towards the completion of a degree program at Algoma University (36 credits can be applied towards a degree).

We also offer the Aki and Environmental Stewardship Certificate (30 credits) which comprises the 18 credits from Level 1, plus the addition of 4 other courses (GEOG coded or other approved courses) (12 credits). If students complete the Aki and Environmental Stewardship Certificate and Level 2, they can apply 48 credits towards a degree program of their choice at Algoma University.