diploma program

Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention

Looking for a career path where you can help others? With this diploma you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of community programs that help others on their path to wellness.

How to apply

Your Career Path

Our Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention program prepares you for a career as an Addictions Counsellor in remote and rural aboriginal communities and opens job opportunities in addictions treatment centres, community prevention programs, young offender residential centres, and Family resource centres. All of our graduates are eligible to become accredited through the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada.

In partnership with Canadore College, Oshki-Wenjack’s special blended delivery method allows you to stay in your home community for the majority of the program. You will take courses through on-line and independent study at home and attend classes in Thunder Bay for 14 consecutive days, twice per semester.*

* Note: Due to COVID-19 courses may happen online.

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Program Information

Program Length: 2 Years (5 semesters) includes 300 hour field placement in final semester
Start Date: September 2022^*
Tuition Fees: The tuition fees are published by the partner college. Please visit Canadore College for details.

*start dates are subject to change

Documentation Requirements

Vulnerable sector criminal reference check
Complete up-to-date immunizations

Admission Requirements

Ontario High School Diploma with Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U) or Mature Student Test (19 years +)

NOTE: Low enrollment may result in cancellation of this program

Curriculum

First Semester

IWA 112 – Traditional Healing, Learning, and Teaching – 84 hours
IWA 113 – Introduction to Substance Abuse Counselling and Teaching – 42 hours
IWA 114 – Contemporary Challenges Facing Native Communities – 42 hours
IWA 117 – Introduction to Cultural Specific Helping – 42 hours
CMM 125 – College Communications – 42 hours

Total hours: 252

Second Semester

CMM 230 – Workplace Communications – 42 hours
IWA 200 – Substance Abuse in Families and Native Communities – 42 hours
IWA 204 – Introduction to Community Development – 42 hours
IWA 203 – Methods – Using Traditional Healing to Break the Cycle of Abuse – 84 hours
GED 100 – Environmental Citizenship – 42 hours

Total hours: 252

Third Semester

IWA 207 Methods II – Recovery Strategies – 84 hours
IWA 208 The Accountable Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Worker – 42 hours
IWA 209 Evaluating Information – 42 hours
IWA 213 Ensidamwaad mskiki-Understanding Medicine – 42 hours

Total hours: 210

Fourth Semester

IWA 210 – Methods III – Relapse Prevention – 42 hours
IWA 211 – Placement Preparation – 28 hours
IWA 212 – Indigenous Languages in the Modern Text – 42 hours
IWA 214 – Understanding Concurrent Disorders in Indigenous Populations – 21 hours
SOC 100 – Foundations of Sociology – 42 hours

Total hours: 175