Onajigawin Indigenous Services (formerly Native Child and Family Services)

All theory courses are online, however there is a placement component to this program.

Program Details

• CREDENTIAL: Ontario College Diploma
• PROGRAM CODE: 0670
• AREA OF INTEREST: Indigenous
• LOCATION: Distance Education, Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone Campus, Kenora, Marathon, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay
• DURATION: 2-year

Start Dates & Ontario Colleges Program Codes:

• Fall Start (September): 0670
• Fall Start (September) Accelerated program: 0671

Overview

Are you committed to honoring cultural diversity?
Do you strive to support Indigenous children, families, and communities?
Are you ready to act with integrity, honesty, genuineness, and objectivity?
Do you want to equip yourself with tools focusing on prevention and well-being to support those you walk with as a future helper?
If your answer is yes, then the Onajigawin Indigenous Services Program at Confederation College is the perfect fit for you!

Why Choose Onajigawin Indigenous Services?
Our program is deeply rooted in Indigenous Knowledge and Pedagogy, offering a decolonized approach to curriculum and assessment. We are dedicated to providing an education that respects and integrates Indigenous ways of knowing, ensuring our graduates are prepared to make a meaningful impact in human services.

Overcoming Barriers, Making Connections
Indigenous communities in northwestern Ontario often face unique cultural, geographical, and systemic barriers to service. The Onajigawin Indigenous Services program equips you with the skills to effectively overcome these challenges. You will learn how to connect individuals and families with essential services in Thunder Bay, the surrounding region, and beyond.

A Pathway to Professional Recognition
Our program prepares you for a fulfilling career in the field of human services, enabling you to become a Helper who can register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) as a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW). Our curriculum is designed to ensure you meet the professional standards required for registration, with a strong emphasis on cultural safety and humility.

 

Expand your ways of knowing, challenge your positionality, learn ways to decolonize and embrace indigeneity. The time for Indigenous resurgence is now!

Top Highlights

• Prepare for positions in a variety of human service/helper settings including child welfare agencies, women's shelters, urban Indigenous organizations and on-reserve services
• Field placements provide hands-on experience working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations
• Also offered as an accelerated program for those with a college diploma or university degree in a related field
• You might also be interested in our Social Service Worker program

Admission Requirements

• 1. 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.
• 2. or successful completion of the Mature Student Assessment.
• 3. or successful completion of the General Education Development Test (GED).
• 4. or appropriate credits from the Academic and Career Entrance Program (ACE).

Accelerated Program

Each year, a limited number of seats in the "Accelerated" Ontario College Diploma program will be available to qualified applicants.

• 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.

Courses

Semester 1 - 18 hours

• CS050 - College Writing
• General Electives (2)
• NC126 Intergenerational Examination of Indigenous Health and Wellbeing
• NC127 The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Helping
• NC128 Culture Safety and Humility Helpers
• NC240 Field Placement Seminar I

Semester 2:

• General Elective
• NC205 Field Placement I
• NC211 Interpersonal Skills
• NC231 Colonizing and Decolonizing Issues of Violence in Indigenous Communities
• NC232 Cultural Specific Helping with Indigenous Peoples

Semester3

• NC229 Child and Family Services Wellbeing and Reform
• NC304 A Sacred Family Circle
• NC329 Social Aspects of Aging
• NC402 Field Placement Seminar II
• NC414 Prepared Helper
• SS116 Social Welfare

Semester 4

• NC403 Field Placement II
• NC404 Cultural Continuity
• NC408 Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention

Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.