Indigenous Arts Diploma

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Bringing Art and Entrepreneurship together

The Indigenous Arts Diploma is structured on the knowledge and appreciation of traditional Indigenous art forms. The teaching method follows a traditional Indigenous style, emphasizing verbal and visual guidance in a practical learning setting.

The Indigenous Arts Diploma is a two-year program that focuses on developing the skills and knowledge to be a self-employed artist. The program covers core Indigenous art forms and provides both introductory and advanced study in a range of traditional and contemporary practices.

Throughout the program, students study First Nations, Metis and Inuit traditional and contemporary art forms. They take advanced courses in painting and drawing, hide tanning, carving, sewing, footwear, beadwork, and decorative arts. This includes studio courses that provide opportunities for directed study under instructor supervision. Students can focus on a chosen skill or medium, such as drawing and painting, printmaking, carving, digital media, or other forms of artistic expression.

In addition, students gain valuable entrepreneurial skills by learning about pricing, quality standards, and marketing in each Indigenous art course. You will learn marketing through courses such as Introduction to Marketing Arts & Crafts, and Creating an Online Business. As a result, graduates leave the program with both creative expertise and the knowledge needed to successfully manage and promote their own art business.

This program is available to International Students. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is O111010246767.

Please Note:  This program is not eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP).

Crafting Culture in Every Piece

Created by a dedicated Indigenous Arts student, these mittens represent the blend of tradition, skill, and personal expression fostered in the program. Each piece honours cultural teachings while encouraging students to explore their own artistic voices. Through hands-on practice and guidance from experienced instructors, students gain the knowledge and confidence to create meaningful work that keeps tradition vibrant and alive.

More international students are choosing Portage College to start or complete their studies because of the personal attention they receive and the high standard of instruction.

International Website

Domestic Apply

Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).

Domestic Funding Options

Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.

Domestic Information Request

If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.

International Student Apply

International students, once you have chosen your program and checked the admission requirements you are now ready to apply for admission.

International Student Study Permit

Your study permit is the document that allows you to stay in Canada and study. It is different from a student visa, which is the document that allows you to enter Canada.

International Information Request

Our international student representatives are happy to answer your questions about programs, services and any immigration related questions that you may have. Please use the form link provided.

Career Potential
Combine your love of art with entrepreneurial skills to equip yourself for self-employment or work in one of the many visual arts and Indigenous art and culture careers. Jobs include positions with museums, historic sites, native friendship centres, and community and government organizations.

Credentials
Diploma

Admission Requirements

  • English Language Arts 30-2
  • Coordinator Interview
  • Students who do not meet admission requirements can contact Student Services regarding opportunities for placement testing. * Students must submit an application to the program to start the process.
Transferability
Students who wish to carry on their education can do so at one of the following post-secondary institutions:
  • Alberta University of the Arts
  • MacEwan University
  • Yorkville Bachelor of Creative Arts: View Video

*Students are encouraged to consult Transfer Alberta or speak to a student advisor about specific transferability.

Program Start/End Date
Year 1: August 31, 2026 to June 11, 2027.
Year 2: August 31, 2027 to June 11, 2028.

Application Deadline
Domestic Student: June 1, 2026 (Application will still be considered after the deadline if seats remain)

Funding Application Deadline
June 1, 2026

Location
Lac La Biche Campus

Delivery
In-Person Learning

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $1,940.15
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $435.00
Total $2,955.63

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $1,940.15
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $2,194.13

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $5,149.76

Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $130. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $130.

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)

Fee Explanations

Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.

Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.

Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Tuition Deposit $5000.00 (non-refundable)

If you choose to pay the full tuition and mandatory fees, you may still be eligible for a refund of payments above the $5000 deposit, as per the Portage College refund policy.

Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $5,820.45
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Guard Me Insurance $602.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Course Package & Materials $435.00
Total $7,438.18

Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $5,820.45
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $6,074.43

Total tuition & mandatory fees for the year: $13,512.61

Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies.

Fee Explanations

Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.

Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.

Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

Year One Course Listing

Students work together to produce the Art Expose which is a 2 day exhibition of all the work students have completed throughout the year. Students are required to participate in the planning, setting up and hosting of this event. Additionally, students will participate in field trips that provide experiences visiting galleries, speaking to practicing artists and visiting other venues related to the production and sale of arts & crafts.
Hours: 75
Credits: 2

The course involves the development of beadwork skills and knowledge with a focus on North American Indigenous beadwork styles & Techniques. Three main styles of beadwork will be covered: loom, lazy stitch and appliqué, along with several related techniques. Materials and supplies needed for beadwork, will be examined with an emphasis on the various types of beads available. Skills in beadwork will be developed through the creation of samples and projects.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

The carving course introduces students to carving in wood and soapstone. Basic techniques will be covered as well as tools, supplies, and safety concerns related to each medium. Additionally, students will study traditional subject matter, current trends in carving, sculpture, and historical aspects of the art form.
Hours: 80
Credits: 3

This course introduces students to communication theory and basic computer skills essential for artists entering today’s business world. Students will study foundational English writing skills and mechanics with a specific focus on creating resumes, cover letters, artist’s statements, paragraphs and business cards. Computer training will include enhancement of keyboarding skills and applications of software programs including Microsoft Word, Internet resources, copyright and citation of source material.
Hours: 45
Credits: 2

Decorative Arts focuses on the traditional arts of moose hair and caribou hair tufting, porcupine quillwork, horse hair wrapping and fish scale art. Instruction includes the collection, cleaning and dyeing of the natural materials. Concepts and techniques will be learned through the completion of samplers and projects. An overview of the historical development of each art form will also be covered.
Hours: 75
Credits: 2

This course is designed to enhance artistic and technical skills with hands-on learning through the creation of one or more projects that would be a commission art piece and project-based course. This course is designed to develop working artists and artisans the ability to work with businesses, organizations, municipalities etc. in the region to make a formal request to commission a piece of Indigenous art from the class. Major emphasis is placed on the development of quality products and workmanship as an Artisan cooperative (Group work). Working through specifically designed projects, students further explore and perfect their artistic skills and abilities in each area. The goal is to develop high-quality standards of workmanship for marketable products.
Hours: 93
Credits: 3

This course involves designing, decorating and constructing Native Footwear. The focus of the course will be on constructing moccasins and mukluks in the Northern Woodland Cree style. Pattern design and fit will be studied as well as a comparison of construction methods, techniques and materials. Students will use skills and projects completed in NATA 116 – Beadwork to complete the decoration of their project and NATA 112 – Basic Sewing in the construction of their projects. Additionally, students will study the history of this art form within the context of the styles of footwear covered in this course.
Hours: 80
Credits: 3

This course focuses on the traditional methods used in preparing, tanning and smoking hides, as practiced by the Northern Woods Cree. This is an introductory level course to the hide tanning process and includes an introduction to traditional living skills. Students will actively participate in the process and study the 13 steps required for this method. The course is offered in an intensive 3-week session in a traditionally designed setting.
Hours: 100
Credits: 3

This course provides instruction in the location, collection, preparation and conservation of natural materials for use in making a variety of traditional and contemporary natural crafts. Design and creation of projects using birch bark, willow, spruce roots, tamarack and other natural materials will be studied. Additionally, the care and conservation of finished products will be studied. This course includes two field trips to collect materials. Traditional Indigenous worldview is shared and discussed as well as historical aspects of the art form.
Hours: 65
Credits: 2

This course covers basic sewing techniques including measuring and pattern preparation. Hand sewing techniques including the decorative techniques of applique work and embroidery will be studied as well as the operation of sewing machines and machine embroidery techniques. These skills will be developed by working through several projects in which students are encouraged to research and develop their own designs.
Hours: 100
Credits: 3

The focus of this course is on the exploration of a variety of wet & dry drawing materials and the development of basic drawing skills. Students will be introduced to fundamentals including line, shape, volume, value, texture, perspective and composition. This exploration and skill development will be done through observational and imaginative drawing.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

This is an introductory painting course that familiarizes students with a variety of techniques, concepts, and processes in painting. The focus will be on using acrylic paint to develop an understanding of colour and composition. This will be done through a series of projects that feature a variety of genres, compositional concepts and visual strategies.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

In this course, students will complete exploration modules in each of the following mediums: printmaking and mixed media compositions. Students will study various printmaking processes with an emphasis on learning basic materials and exploring the potential of this art form. Additionally, students will explore the use of mixed media in primarily 2D compositions.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

In this course, students will complete a variety of sculpture modules while exploring various sculptural processes and art media including clay, wood, plaster, metal, natural materials, and composites. These sculpture modules will also include a wide range of sculptural methods such as mold making, clay construction, glaze technology, wood and metal fabrication, digital 3-D printing, and maquette building.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

Year Two Course Listing

Students work together to produce the Art Expose, which is a two-day exhibition of all the work students have completed throughout the year.Students are required to participate in the planning, setting up,and hosting of this event. Additionally, students will participate in a local field trip that provides experience visiting galleries, speaking to practicing artists, and visiting other venues related to the production and sale of art and crafts
Hours: 20
Credits: 1

This course focuses further on the development of beadwork skills in the three main styles of beadwork: loom, lazy stitch and applique. Students are expected to experiment with new materials and use techniques to produce unique, creative designs that show independent research.
Hours: 70
Credits: 2

This course focuses on the basic skills and knowledge associated with the care and handling of artifacts. Students study introductory collection management practices with the advantage of working with Portage College’s Museum collection. The course provides practical hands-on experience and exposure to a wide array of museum artifacts.
Hours: 45
Credits: 2

The purpose of this course is to build upon the skills developed at the introductory level. The growth of individual style and independent research is expected. Experimentation with new materials, techniques, and designs is encouraged. The development of creative expression and interpretation is vital for the successful completion of the course.
Hours: 60
Credits: 2

This course focuses on the development of practical communication skills that artists need to promote and market their work. Students will build on content studied in Communication and Computer Basics. Topics will include writing artist biographies, artist statements, portfolio descriptions, website text, grant proposals, professional resumes and oral presentations presenting their work as well as presenting themselves in a job interview.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

In COMA 141 students develop computer skills using the Windows platform and the most recent Microsoft Office software including Word, Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, and an Internet browser. Students will develop skills necessary for art careers and business including marketing, advertising, and budgets through various projects and assignments.
Hours: 45
Credits: 2

In this course, students will explore the online world and learn about the nature, opportunities and challenges of selling their artwork and crafts. Three main focuses for this course are creating an online storefront, effectively displaying digital work, and engaging online with customers, followers, marketplaces, and the art community to successfully manage an online business. The outcome of this course is to produce a website and social media plans to market arts and crafts online.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

Students improve and enhance their skills in the traditional decorative arts of hair embroidery, tufting, porcupine quillwork, and fish scale art. Skills will be improved and enhanced through completed projects where students must research, design, and create their projects while demonstrating a development of individual style. A review of the historical development of each art form will also be covered.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

NATS 163 (45 hours): This course equips Indigenous Arts students with the foundational teaching skills needed to design and deliver engaging lessons and/or workshops on Indigenous art forms. Participants will integrate the historical significance of the art form with insights gained from their program, including connections to other art forms, project planning, timelines, and budgeting. Emphasis is placed on creating inclusive learning environments, tailoring lesson plans for diverse audiences, and embedding Indigenous knowledge and methodologies into teaching practices. Through peer feedback and course assessments, students will gain confidence and proficiency as educators, ready to share their art form in impactful ways. NATA 173 (75 hours): This course builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in Visual Arts I & II. Further development of drawing and painting skills will be accomplished through using a variety of mediums; including watercolor, and focusing on strategies that help students produce visual expressions that reflect interpretive and expressive outcomes. Students will work on developing a personal style.
Hours: 45 or 75
Credits: 3

This course uses and builds on the decorative techniques learned in NATA 116 - Beadwork and NATA 120 – Decorative Arts and the skills learned in NATA 118 – Footwear I to design and construct Northern Woodland Cree footwear. Independent research is done to create, design, and construct ‘one of a kind’ products. High-top footwear is studied and created as well as alternate moccasin construction styles and techniques. Further development of technical skill and proficiency is emphasized as well as the development of creative, original decorations. The historical significance of footwear styles is also covered.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

The Hide Tanning ll course is for students who have completed the Hide Tanning course (NATA 110). In this course, students further develop their knowledge and skills in preparing, tanning and smoking hides as practiced by Northern Woods Cree. Emphasis will be on students working more independently and in groups to process hides as far as possible in 75 hours of class time. Since this course is co-offered with NATA 110, students will act as mentors to students in NATA 110 to refine and build an understanding and expertise in the 13-step tanning process. Emphasis will be on students writing a paper with a detailed plan to design and set up a commercial hide tanning site.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

This course covers basic entrepreneurial skills that artisans need to be successful in today's market. Students will study basic business concepts such as creating a budget, managing inventory, personal cash flow knowledge and income tax. Additionally, students will cover business networking and other art-specific topics such as artist's contracts and grant applications.
Hours: 60
Credits: 3

This course provides further instruction in the location, collection, preparation, and conservation of natural materials for making various traditional and contemporary natural crafts. Design and creation of projects using birch bark, willow, tamarack, and other natural materials will be studied with an emphasis on design elements and individual skill development. Care and conservation of finished products will be analyzed in addition to the preservation of materials. This course includes two field trips to collect materials. Traditional Aboriginal worldview is shared and discussed.
Hours: 60
Credits: 2

This course builds on the skills and knowledge learned in NATA 112 – Basic Sewing. This course focuses on developing increased skills in proficiency and efficiency of hand and machine sewing as well as more advanced technical sewing skills through the construction of a traditional hand-sewn project and basic patchwork quilted projects. Students are expected to research and develop their decorative designs for the projects.
Hours: 75
Credits: 3

This course provides students with the opportunity to work on an individual basis with an instructor to develop a body of work with a defined focus. Each student will plan and outline a program of focus and study in consultation with and approval from her/his instructor. The student will sign a contract that clearly outlines personal direction and research goals, media, timelines and quantity of work.
Hours: 65
Credits: 2

This course provides students with the second opportunity to work on an individual basis with an instructor to develop a body of work with a defined focus. Students will plan and outline a program of targeted focus and study in consultation with and approval from her/his instructor. A contract will clearly outline personal direction and research goals, media, timelines and quantity of work and will contain goals distinct from the Studio I course.
Hours: 65
Credits: 2