Social Services Worker - Indigenous Specialization

What if your social service training started from Anishnabek teachings instead of adding them at the end? Cambrian College’s Social Services Worker - Indigenous Specialization is a two-year Ontario College Diploma of four semesters in Sudbury that teaches interprofessional social service work from an Anishnabek/Indigenous holistic perspective.

Semester one pairs Anishnabek/Indigenous Social Services I with SWPractice/Oshkaabewis I, Professional Com/Giigadowin I, Principles of Psychology and Indigenous Perspectives. Semester two continues with SWPractice/Oshkaabewis II, Professional Com/Giigadowin II, Ethics, Community Development, Speaking/Writing Comm. Services I and Field Seminar I. Semester three brings Anishnabek/Indigenous Family & Community Dynamics, Anishnabek/Indigenous Social Services II, Anishnabek/Indigenous Social Work Practice III, Group Dynamics and Field Seminar II, so helping skills, communication and community work are all learned through an Indigenous lens.

Throughout the programme students have access to Elders, Knowledge Keepers and culturally relevant supports, teachings and events. The final semester is Field Work, a full term of supervised social service practice in a community organisation, prepared for through Field Seminar I and II. Placement clearance includes first aid, CPR, a vulnerable sector check, WHMIS, AODA and workplace violence prevention training, and takes six to eight weeks to process. Graduates may register with the OCSWSSW, receive credit toward degrees through articulation agreements, or earn a second community services diploma in one further year.

Graduates work as Indigenous social service workers, family wellbeing workers, community outreach workers, addictions and wellness support workers and housing support workers in First Nations communities, Friendship Centres, Indigenous child and family agencies and mainstream services. The programme suits Indigenous and non-Indigenous students who want to practise culturally grounded helping and support community-led healing.