Aanii! Boozhoo! Tansi! Taanishe! Hello! Bienvenue! Pijashig! Kwe Kwe! Tunngahugit! She:kon! Are you committed to honouring cultural diversity? Do you want social justice for Indigenous children, families, and communities? Are you able to act with integrity, honesty, genuineness, and objectivity? Do you want to gather tools to put in your basket that focus on prevention and well-being for those that you walk with as a future helper? If you are searching for a career that allows you to make a lasting impact in the lives of families, individuals, and communities who most need positive change, then look no further, this is the program for you!
Onajigawin Indigenous Services is grounded in Indigenous Knowledge and Pedagogy with a decolonized approach to curriculum and assessment. Indigenous communities throughout northwestern Ontario often experience cultural, geographical and other barriers to service. Confederation College’s Onajigawin Indigenous Services program focuses on how to effectively overcome these barriers. You’ll learn how to help connect people with the services they need in their everyday lives in Thunder Bay, throughout the region, and globally. Careers are all broadly concerned with serving families, individuals, and communities to improve quality of life, remediate problems, and coordinate services through a multidisciplinary approach. Topics covered include cultural safety and continuity; culture and language, intergenerational health and well-being; Indigenous wellness and addictions prevention; child and family well-being and reform; social aspects of aging; family conferencing in holistic ways; social justice; advocacy; governance; policy; and so much more. Expand your ways of knowing, challenge your positionality, learn ways to decolonize and embrace indigeneity. The time for Indigenous resurgence is now! |
These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
Applicants are required to have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels with Grade 12 English (C/U) Level; or successful completion of the Mature Student Assessment; or successful completion of the General Education Development Test (GED); or appropriate credits from the Academic and Career Entrance program (ACE). If you do not meet these admission requirements, we encourage you to consider the College Access or General Arts and Science Certificate or General Arts and Science Diploma programs or Academic and Career Entrance program (ACE); if you successfully complete one of these programs, you will be eligible to apply to programs in the Community Services area.
Accelerated Program: Each year, a limited number of seats in the “Accelerated” Ontario College Diploma program will be available to qualified applicants who have a degree or diploma from an accredited university or college in a related discipline. If you are interested in taking this program and do not meet the above requirements, please consider our 2 year Native Child and Family Worker diploma program.
Other Requirements: Prior to the start of field placements students are required to acquire:
Criminal Record Check Some placement agencies may also require a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check. Costs associated with criminal record check are the responsibility of the student.
Standard First Aid/ Infant /Child CPR Certificate Arranging first aid training and payment is the responsibility of the student before going on placement.
Immunization and current TB Skin Test
Program Requirements (for international students):
A high school/senior secondary diploma; original transcripts as well as a notarized, translated copy must be provided where applicable
English Proficiency; academic IELTS: 6.0, no band lower than 5.5, except for students from India who must have no band lower than 6.0 to meet SDS requirements. |
* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.