Student Supports

We pride ourselves in offering a student-centred environment. Each program has a dedicated cultural advisor committed to preserving a way of life based on Indigenous values including spirituality, sacredness, reciprocity, social responsibility, and education. Advisors help to integrate Indigenous cultural factors that protect the health and well-being of students. A student success facilitator is also assigned to each program. SSFs are responsible for enhancing academic success and the student experience. They advise students with respect to academic progression, and assist with student needs by acting as a liaison with faculty and support services in order to propose and implement solutions. 

Student Supports and Classroom Model

Each classroom at FNTI is equipped with an Instructor, Cultural Advisor and an SSF. 

  • The role of the Student Success Facilitator (SSF) is to ensure the success and growth of students. The SSF supports students along their academic and personal journey.

    Student Success Facilitators develop and maintain successful relationships with learners, faculty, and administrative staff to support students, provide resources, and enhance their success and FNTI’s profile.

    SSFs are the critical link between the student and Instructor(s), and the student and the Institution. They are the on-going point of contact for all learners. They assist with responding to inquiries during and between sessions, facilitate virtual classrooms and in-person classrooms, provide technical support as needed, manage and track attendance and evaluations, collaboratively complete debrief documentation with the Classroom Team, and support the ongoing well-being of the student.

  • The Cultural Advisor (CA) plays a key role in providing mentorship, knowledge dissemination, and cultural support for our learners. They ensure that Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is paramount and embedded in course content. Cultural Advisors incorporate IK by providing teachings, medicines, healing, emotional support, and Indigenous leadership each week. They will ensure that appropriate Indigenous protocols within the virtual classroom, and the cultural framework are followed, through opening and closings, smudging, circles, drumming, singing and traditional teachings -- all-encompassing an Indigenous worldview. Additionally, the Cultural Advisor leads the Indigenous Bundle Teachings (Wampum, Rattle, Medicine Bag, Tobacco Tie, Feather) and provides video instruction for the creation of the items with the support of the SSF.

  • Faculty members have a critical role at FNTI. As Instructors, they provide course content, knowledge dissemination, grading, and cultural support for our learners. They are responsible for preparing, instructing, and delivering courses in a cultural framework that includes Indigenous cultural practices and worldview in lesson planning. They are there to support all learning outcomes (vocational, course, and Indigenous) and design appropriate teaching methodologies for meeting those learning outcomes and assessing learner success.

Accessibility Supports

Learning Strategist
The Learning Strategist functions as a touch point of support for students with disabilities and those who seek Academic Accommodations during their time at FNTI. Requests and questions can be directed to access@fnti.net.


Student Accessible Academic Accommodations
FNTI is committed to student success for all students enrolled in our programs. We believe that all students are entitled to high-quality education regardless of any barriers our students may face. FNTI provides the service and expertise of the Learning Strategist, who is responsible for facilitating student success initiatives and retention strategies by creating Student Success Plans (SSP) for students who identified a need for academic accommodations. These plans offer support to students with disabilities. The Learning Strategist will work with the student through a consultation process and tailor the plans to fit the student's needs to optimally receive knowledge and utilize their strengths to demonstrate their learning. SSPs will not provide an unfair academic advantage over any other student and will not modify any teachings of Indigenous knowledge or course learning outcomes.

Accommodation Process
1. Students who have a disability, who may have had a learning plan in the past, or who may feel they qualify for academic accommodations due to a disability, should contact the Learning Strategist via email: access@fnti.net

2. The Learning Strategist will schedule a consultation with the student to go over needs and to complete the Intake and Self-Assessment form. Medical documentation will be required to receive academic accommodations, however, if a student does not have medical documentation, they can still receive accommodations with the understanding that they need to complete their medical documentation before year end. Confidentiality is important to us, this means medical documentation will be kept and stored confidentially.

3. The Learning Strategist, with the student, will complete a Student Support Plan (SSP). This plan may be shared with Instructors, and SSF support staff, to ensure that in-class supports are provided when needed.

4. The Learning Strategist will present the SSP and modify any measures if necessary, and once the student agrees the plan is adequate, the plan will be signed and SSP implementation will begin. Persons granted permission by the student will have access to the SSP. Every plan created is revisited at the start of each semester to ensure optimal support. Adjustments are made based on student needs and the availability of resources.

D2L Brightspace

Logging in:

Loaner Laptops

Do you have to share a laptop to join class? Does your laptop sound like it's about to take off? Are you attending class on your phone because you don't have a laptop?

Did you know that FNTI maintains a Laptop Loaner Library? If you are struggling with your personal laptop or are trying to share a laptop with other family members, you may be a good candidate for our Loaner Laptop Program. Get in touch with your SSF and ask them to help you apply for a gently used Loaner Laptop. Laptops are made available once you have signed a Rules of Use Agreement. Laptops will be shipped to you and back to us at our cost. 

Please contact studentsuccess@fnti.net to connect with the Student Success Team!

Mental Health Supports 

Feeling overwhelmed and would like to connect with an Indigenous mental health professional? Please reach out to www.Noojimohealth.ca . When you register with your FNTI email, you have four covered (prepaid) sessions with a counsellor of your choice. Under payment, just choose sponsored. None of your information is shared with FNTI and your sessions are kept confidential.