Siksikaisksiinima’tstohksini

SIKSIKA KNOWLEDGE (SK) Certificate & Diploma Program

This program offers a Certificate or Diploma focused on the Siksika Way of Life. It teaches Siksika language, history, culture, art, traditions, and ways of knowing through a community-based approach. Students will gain a deep understanding of Siksika identity and how colonization has impacted it.

Contact Us

Career Opportunities

Graduates can work in community advocacy, Indigenous organizations (like tourism or cultural preservation), or use this program as a base for careers in law, education, or policy development.

Course Overview

SK courses serve as the foundation for other degree programs at Natosapi.  You can apply for a Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) to count previous learning towards the program.

  • Certificate (10 courses): Includes 7 Siksika Knowledge (SK) courses, 1 elective, Academic Writing, and Computers 130.
  • Diploma (14 courses): Includes all Certificate courses plus 4 additional advanced (300-level) SK courses.

Certificate examples: Introduction to Siksika People, Siksika Language (Intro & Conversational), Residential Schools at Siksika, Cultural Immersion, Traditional Blackfoot Territory, Siksika Spirituality, and Siksika Traditional Lands & Claims.

Diploma additions include: Siksika Child Rearing Practices, Siksika Female Rites of Passage, Clan System/Siksika Genealogy, and Siksika Cultural/Circle Camp.

Transferability

SK courses are transferable to many mainstream programs (e.g., Nursing, Social Work) and are excellent foundational courses. The SK Certificate is directly accepted for St. Mary’s University’s Indigenous Arts concentration (BA Liberal Arts major)

Program Enrollment & Sequence

Students with a high school diploma will be automatically enrolled after successfully completing Fall Term 2025 (Year 1).
To earn the Diploma, you’ll complete the Certificate courses, plus these four additional courses starting Winter 2027:

  • Introduction to Siksika Child Rearing Practices (SK 220)
  • Clan Systems: Siksika Genealogy (SK 332)
  • Siksika Female Rites of Passage (SK 328)
  • Computers 130 or an approved elective (Siksika Traditional Use of Plants – SK 374 – is recommended).

Suggested sequence includes:

  • Year 1 (Fall 2025): Intro to Siksika People, Intro to Siksika Language, Academic Writing.
  • Year 1 (Winter 2026): Conversational Siksika, Residential Schools at Siksika, Learning From Place.
  • Year 2 (Spring 2026): Cultural Immersion Field Course.
    Year 2 (Fall 2026): Siksika Spirituality, Siksika Traditional Lands & Claims, plus an elective.
  • Year 2 (Winter 2027): Child Rearing Practices, Clan Systems, Female Rites of Passage, and Computers/elective for Diploma.

Tuition & Fees

Please contact the OSCC Registrar for tuition and fee details.

Important Dates & How to Apply

  • SK Diploma Program Registration Deadline: June 8, 2025.
  • Submit your application to leroy.wolfcollar@oldsuncollege.ca
  • Application forms are available from the SK Department or Registrar’s Office.
  • Successful applicants will be notified via email.