Indigenous Community Wellness, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Work experience

None

Delivery

Blended

Study options

Full-time

Part-time

Open to International

Area of study

Indigenous Education

Length

10 months

Info sessions

Ask questions and learn more about our Indigenous education programs

Next sessions

Advocate for and support the well-being of Indigenous peoples

Start in September

The 10-month Indigenous Community Wellness (ICW) program, prepares you to become a culturally aware, active and positive role-model through applied knowledge, skills and land-based teachings and learning experiences.

Delivered at the Saanich Adult Education Centre near Brentwood Bay, you'll learn to effectively build relationships and walk in wellness with service users to support their access to and engagement with programs and services.

Indigenous adults and child sitting and posing for image at Lansdown campus

Indigenous and western ways of knowing

The program weaves trauma-informed and healing-centred practices into personal and collective wellness. You'll develop approaches that draw upon and use both Indigenous and western ways of knowing, and various types of services to advocate for and promote wellness.

Traditional teachings and land-based learning

You'll learn to advance the work of decolonization while honouring the integrity and values of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Further deepen your awareness of your own cultural identity through access to traditional teachings and land-based learning with Old Ones and Knowledge Keepers.

Community connection

ICW is a community-based program delivered at the Saanich Adult Education Centre, part of the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board located on the Tsartlip First Nation near Brentwood Bay.

After graduation

You'll be prepared to work and address different challenges and roles within agencies and other organizations that support the well-being of Indigenous peoples, families, communities and Nations.

What you'll learn

Current and future students can browse current and upcoming courses using the myCamosun course catalogue.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.

Program outline

Indigenous ways of knowing and being

As an Indigenous Community Wellness (ICW) student, you will learn how to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and being, as well as a trauma-informed and healing-centred perspectives, into a community service and professional practice. You'll learn to draw on your understanding of how colonization has impacted individuals, families and communities to inform your practice. You will also have opportunities to demonstrate personal wellness, self-awareness, generosity, reciprocity and kindness while maintaining ethical and professional boundaries.

Build relationships

Connect and build relationships with Old Ones and Knowledge Keepers in local Indigenous communities, as well as with staff at agencies who provide services to Indigenous people. The program will help you apply strategies and forms of advocacy to support community wellness and self-determined goals, and to support individuals’ and communities’ ability to engage with and access programs and services.

ICW promotes wholistic and diverse Indigenous approaches to individual and community wellness and healing, as well as relevant western methods. As a student you will learn to communicate and facilitate groups respectfully and effectively utilizing culturally relevant protocols.

Tuition and Fees

Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025

Estimated Tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Indigenous Community Wellness, Certificate

$5,958 (domestic)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

Student Fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial Assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards

Admission requirements

One of:

C in English 12
C in English 12 Camosun Alternative

And all of:

Students who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit).

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...