Domestic students
$6,510.62
total program cost
Indigenous Community Support Worker Certificate
Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate Certificates are short programs focused on specific skills or subjects. They are a fast and flexible way to start a new career, upgrade your qualifications or gain professional recognition.
Delivery mode
TBD
Time commitment
Online Online Part-time You take fewer courses at once and progress more slowly. This option offers more flexibility for work or personal commitments.
Duration
1 year
Program codes
- Code: ZICSW
Cost
Domestic students $6,510.62 total program cost Domestic students: $6,511 total program cost
Location
- TBD
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
Learn how to support and assist Indigenous individuals and families in this hands-on certificate, covering foundational training required by all community based workers. This program encourages a direct person-to-person and family based approach and includes a practicum for experience in an entry-level position at a community organization.
What you'll learn
• Indigenous histories, cultures, and the impacts of colonization
• Social determinants of health within Indigenous communities
• Indigenous traditional knowledge systems and cross-cultural communication
• Indigenous law and governance frameworks
• Professional and ethical practice in human service work
• Person- and family-centered holistic support planning
• Health, safety, and wellness strategies
• Interpersonal and communication skills for human services
• Human and lifespan development from an Indigenous holistic perspective
• Reconciliation and relationship-building with Indigenous peoples
• Substance abuse counselling fundamentals
• Group facilitation skills
• Motivational interviewing techniques
Skills you'll learn
• Culturally safe communication and practice
• Client interviewing and person/family-centred service planning
• Advocacy for Indigenous individuals and families
• Group facilitation and community engagement
• Motivational interviewing and behaviour change strategies
• Professional ethics and code of conduct in human services
• Self-care and burnout prevention strategies
Work-integrated learning
The program includes a 70-hour practicum at an approved organization, giving students hands-on experience in a real community support setting.
Already have experience in this area? This program qualifies for our Recognition of Prior Learning review. If some of your previous experience could apply to this program, please click here for more information.
Shannon Peltier was inspired to train to provide support to Indigenous youth and families by her Nohkom (grandmother). She found that opportunity through the Indigenous Community Support Worker (ACSW) Certificate program at Okanagan College. She now works as an Indigenous Education Advocate working with students.
The 375-hour Indigenous Community Support Worker Certificate prepares learners to support and assist Indigenous Individuals and families, both on- and off-reserve, to enhance their quality of life. In addition to covering the core training required by all community workers, this program enables learners to develop knowledge and direct employment-related skills required to work with the unique needs of Indigenous people and communities.
This program emphasizes a person/family-centred and holistic approach to community support work and includes a 70-hour practicum at approved organizations. Graduates are prepared to work in entry-level positions under direction and supervision, and practice professionally as part of a support team in community-based organizations that work with Indigenous persons.
*Please note: This program is not student loan eligible.
Tuition and fees
- Domestic students: $6,511 total program cost
- plus applicable textbooks and/or materials
-
Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
-
All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Admission and program requirements
- B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
- English 12 with minimum 60% or equivalent.
- A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. Okanagan College's Admissions will provide applicants with instructions to submit the request to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to provide a clearance letter by the deadline may result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.
Applicants must provide a criminal record check clearance letter by the deadline set by Admissions. Failure to provide this letter will result in cancellation of the admission application. Applicants should only initiate the criminal record check when instructed by Admissions.
A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.
Program details
ICSW 111 - Indigenous Peoples of Canada
ICSW 112 - Social Determinants within Indigenous Communities
ICSW 113 - Introduction to Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Systems
ICSW 114 - Introduction to Indigenous Law
ICSW 115 - Professional Practice in Human Service Work
ICSW 116 - Holistic Supports and Services
ICSW 117 - Health, Safety and Wellness
ICSW 118 - Interpersonal Skills for Human Service Professionals
ICSW 119 - Human Development/Lifespan
ICSW 120 - Reconciliation: Relationships and Indigenous Communities
ICSW 121 - Introduction to Substance Abuse Counselling
ICSW 122 - Group Facilitation
ICSW 123 - Motivational Interviewing
ICSW 124 - Workshops
ICSW 125 - Practicum
FAQ
The program is delivered part-time online, with classes held two evenings per week and about two Saturdays per month. This flexible schedule allows many students to continue working while completing their studies.
No prior experience is required. The program is designed to build your knowledge and skills from the ground up. You'll learn about Indigenous histories, cultures, and legislation while developing practical community support skills.
The program includes a 70-hour practicum at an approved community organization. During your placement, you'll gain hands-on experience supporting Indigenous individuals and families in a real-world setting.
We'll arrange your practicum placement for you. Successful completion of the practicum is required to receive your certificate.