We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Course Offerings for 2025/26
Codes
- IFSFT = Indigenous Field of Study Full-time
- FNTI = First Nations Technical Institute Part-time
- KT = Kenjgewin Teg Part-time
*Please note the IFS full-time and part-time programs have NEW in-person hybrid delivery. Please note the delivery method for each course indicated*
Note regarding the use of the words "Indigenous" and "Indigenous peoples": The term Indigenous has a specific meaning in Canada, in that it is a term used to recognize the three major Indigenous groups: Status Indians, Metis and Inuit. This term and meaning is entrenched in the Canadian constitution and therefore in these course descriptions "Indigenous" refers to the Canadian context. "Indigenous" is a word whose meaning has emerged to mean all people around the globe who are recognized as the original ancestral inhabitants of a given territory before contact with outside groups. Therefore, when the word "Indigenous" is used it refers to the experiences and worldviews shared among original peoples around the globe.
Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Registration Status: KT Yr. 2
- Section 4: September 29 - October 3, 2025, Giselle Dias
- Course delivery: Virtual Synchronous (Zoom)
Description
Transformative social work practice is understood to encompass critical reflexivity and action that aims to disrupt current social inequalities and manifestations of power inherent in the delivery of social services and community work. The fluid concept of social justice will be deconstructed and explored through a variety of theoretical lenses including, but not limited to Indigenous, anti-racist, feminist, queer, disability and transnational perspectives. Theories of progressive social change practices will be explored in order to lead the student to think about concepts such as colonialism, intersectionality, power and resistance within social work practices. Students will also be encouraged to engage in reflexivity with regards to their own experiences of intersecting identities and how they are situated within relations of power.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: September 7-12, 2025, Lori Hill
- Course delivery: In-person (location TBD)
Registration Status: FTNI Yr 1
- Section 2: September 7-12, 2025, Kathy Absolon
- Course delivery: In-person (location TBD)
Description:
This course offers an opportunity for students to learn experientially about the traditional Indigenous worldview. This includes the values, philosophy, teachings, ceremonies, Creation relationship, and songs, dances, drums. The course will be delivered through a five-day program in a camp setting with the presence of Elders when students first enter the program.
- Graded on a P/F basis
Registration Status: KT Yr 2
- Section 1: November 10-14, 2025, Lori Hill
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
The community is the fundamental reference point for an Indigenous person. It is a source of identity development, for validation, for learning of culture (language, dance, ceremony, etc.) and for construction of the whole person (mental-spiritual-emotional-physical). Practice in the community setting is made up of understanding kinship structures, community solidarity, community action, and community nurturing for the present generation and for future generations. This course will enable students to examine the phenomenon of community in the lives of Indigenous populations, and how interventions into these contexts are an expression of healing processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., T, Kathy Absolon*
- *1 full day (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 4, 2025)
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
This course will enable students to accomplish knowledge building and capacity development while using a research process. Students will engage a wholistic Indigenous Research paradigm which seeks multiple intersecting sources of information within communities around issues which are considered by the community as vital to their understanding of given phenomenon. This research will be empowering to Indigenous populations and be an expression of decolonization processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., W, Gisell Dias*
- *1 full day (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 12, 2025)
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
Students will explore concepts of healing that flow from a wholistic Indigenous and Indigenous worldview. Healing is understood to be the facilitation of a healing journey for the individual, their family, their extended family, their community, their nation, and for spiritual relationships. The focus of this healing journey is on enhancing the nature of Creation for future generations. Students will become conversant in the understanding of the use of Circle, medicines, ceremonies, and Elders. The use of the Circle process will be a key element of this course.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: October 27-31, 2025, Instructor TBD
- Course delivery: In-person (Kitchener)
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 1
- Section 2: October 27-31, 2025, Tina Armstrong
- Course delivery: In-person (Kitchener)
Description
This course will enable students to spend individual time with Elders to consider their own understanding of the Indigenous worldview. They will reflect upon their character, nature, spirit, and practice so that their capacity to facilitate other people’s healing will be understood.
- letter grade
Winter 2026 Course Offerings
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., M, Giselle Dias
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
Transformative social work practice is understood to encompass critical reflexivity and action that aims to disrupt current social inequalities and manifestations of power inherent in the delivery of social services and community work. The fluid concept of social justice will be deconstructed and explored through a variety of theoretical lenses including, but not limited to Indigenous, anti-racist, feminist, queer, disability and transnational perspectives. Theories of progressive social change practices will be explored in order to lead the student to think about concepts such as colonialism, intersectionality, power and resistance within social work practices. Students will also be encouraged to engage in reflexivity with regards to their own experiences of intersecting identities and how they are situated within relations of power.
- letter grade
Registration Status: KT Yr 2
- Section 1: February 23-27, 2026, Kathy Absolon
- Course delivery: In-person (location TBD)
Description
This course will build upon the experiences and knowledge gained by students in the cultural camp setting. Elders will enable students to engage a learning and reflective process which uses the worldview of Indigenous populations. Restorative and healing notions which address the structural and institutional consequences of historical marginalization of the Indigenous worldview will emanate from this reflection.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 2: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., T, Kathy Absolon
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
The community is the fundamental reference point for an Indigenous person. It is a source of identity development, for validation, for learning of culture (language, dance, ceremony, etc.) and for construction of the whole person (mental-spiritual-emotional-physical). Practice in the community setting is made up of understanding kinship structures, community solidarity, community action, and community nurturing for the present generation and for future generations. This course will enable students to examine the phenomenon of community in the lives of Indigenous populations, and how interventions into these contexts are an expression of healing processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 1
- Section 2: February 2-6, 2026, Gus Hill
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
Students will explore concepts of healing that flow from a wholistic Indigenous and Indigenous worldview. Healing is understood to be the facilitation of a healing journey for the individual, their family, their extended family, their community, their nation, and for spiritual relationships. The focus of this healing journey is on enhancing the nature of Creation for future generations. Students will become conversant in the understanding of the use of Circle, medicines, ceremonies, and Elders. The use of the Circle process will be a key element of this course.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section FIB
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 1
- Section PIB
Description
A supervised field experience designed to develop competence pertinent to social work practice in the student's chosen area of concentration (29 weeks).
- Graded on a S/F basis.
Spring 2026 Course Offerings
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 2: April 13-17, 2026, Giselle Dias
- Course delivery: In-person (Kitchener)
Description
This course will build upon the experiences and knowledge gained by students in the cultural camp setting. Elders will enable students to engage a learning and reflective process which uses the worldview of Indigenous populations. Restorative and healing notions which address the structural and institutional consequences of historical marginalization of the Indigenous worldview will emanate from this reflection.
- letter grade
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 1
- Section 2: May 11-15, 2026, Gus Hill
- Course delivery: Virtual synchronous (Zoom)
Description
This course will enable students to accomplish knowledge building and capacity development while using a research process. Students will engage a wholistic Indigenous Research paradigm which seeks multiple intersecting sources of information within communities around issues which are considered by the community as vital to their understanding of given phenomenon. This research will be empowering to Indigenous populations and be an expression of decolonization processes.
- letter grade
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section 1: May 3-8, 2026, Instructor (TBD)
- Course delivery: In-person (location TBD)
Registration Status: KT Yr 2
- Section 2: May 3-8, 2026, Tina Armstrong
- Course delivery: In-person (location TBD)
Description
This course will enable students to express their own understanding of the wholistic Indigenous healing process, which they will carry into practice. They will present themselves to Elders and the community of scholars for presentation and affirmation of their capacity to facilitate such processes; whether at the individual, family (group), community, or policy level. Their capacity to undertake Circle processes will also be examined.
- Graded on a P/F basis
Registration Status: IFSFT
- Section FIC
Registration Status: FNTI Yr 1
- Section PIC
Description
A supervised field experience designed to develop competence pertinent to social work practice in the student's chosen area of concentration (29 weeks).
- Graded on a S/F basis