St'uxwtews Education Centre

Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addiction Certificate and Diplomas

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Programs & Courses

Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addiction Certificate and Diplomas

  1. Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions Certificate
  2. Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions Diploma
  3. Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions Advanced Diploma

For students who may be interested in a career in Indigenous Health and Wellness and Addictions or individuals who are currently in Addiction fields, such as Alcohol and Drug Counsellors or Addiction Workers, these programs will lead towards obtaining credentials and/or professional development training for specific job requirements.  These programs have been developed and are taught based on Circle Learning principles, the Medicine Wheel concept, Red Road Philosophy, experiential learning, and the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Courses included in these programs are centered on healing through understanding the history of Indigenous colonization, complex trauma theory, genocide, and claiming of self as an Indigenous person in a traditional and spiritual way. The program is a multi-entry, multi-exit credentialed learning experience, meaning students can earn a certificate, a diploma, or an advanced diploma that could then transfer as a 96-block credit into a Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS), based on a partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley (these programs are fully accredited). Faculty for these programs have a minimum of a master’s degree and are all certified through the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada (ICBOC).

Program Objectives:

Students who successfully graduate from the Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions programs will have the knowledge and skills to:

  • Practice in a wide variety of settings, including Indigenous treatment centres, friendship centres, Indigenous holistic health centres, as well as directly in First Nations communities and organizations
  • Understand how addiction affects the connections and processes of humans through family, organizations, and community development
  • Understand the influence of systemic forces on the Indigenous community dynamics and how to promote First Nations community relations and relations with other Canadians through provincial and federal authorities as it relates to holistic wellness and addiction
  • Students will have the ability to exercise both personal and professional codes of conduct and ethics that are consistent with Indigenous ways.

Career Opportunities:

The fields of Indigenous Health and Wellness and Addiction Counselling are growing, and students may be able to find employment within these burgeoning career paths, helping adults, children, families, and communities.

Student Suitability:

Students will be required to demonstrate their suitability for these programs and the practice of the teachings within. A solid understanding of the Red Road Philosophy (one year alcohol and drug-free) as it pertains to holistic wellness and addiction is a must.

Student suitability will be assessed via an interview with a program coordinator.

Program Description and Delivery:

The Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions certificate was developed in partnership with the Hey Way-Noqu’ Healing Circle for Addictions Society (HHCAS). In this program, students will learn the core skills required to obtain certification, with a focus on Indigenous-specific content.

This program will benefit students who are current or prospective wellness workers, alcohol and drug counsellors, and addiction workers who are interested in obtaining certification.

Each course will contain of a minimum of 45 student/instructor contact hours that include assignments and examinations.

The Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions certificate is awarded to students who have completed the required 33 credits and maintained a minimum GPA of 2.33.

This certificate can then lead into the diploma, which will be awarded upon successful completion of the required 33 credits.

The diploma can then lead into the advanced diploma, which will be awarded upon successful completion of the required 30 credits.

These 96 credits can then be transferred into the Bachelor of Integrated Studies, which will be awarded upon completion of 30 credits at the University of the Fraser Valley.