Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work

Course Overview

The Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work is a two year after diploma program. The First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC) that represents the First Nation colleges and universities, was guided by community need and Council of Elders to have a program that was firmly based upon Indigenous ways of knowing. The vision of the Council of Elders was “communities living in a sacred manner” which was their ethical stance. Maskwacis Cultural College is one of the colleges that will be hosting the program and our goal is to fulfill the need for qualified Indigenous social workers who will practice in a manner true to our sacredness.

The program will be unique as it will be the first social work education program that has been developed by Indigenous peoples, accredited by Indigenous affirmation bodies and delivered by Indigenous post-secondary institutions. Under the United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Article 14. 1. “Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods to teaching and learning.” We strive to have accreditation for our programs under the National Indigenous Accreditation Board (NIAB).

Program Goals

  • Provide social work education that is founded upon Indigenous ways of knowing;

  • Deliver an educational program that is informed by Indigenous epistemology, thereby
    ensuring that learners are provided with an abundance of dynamic experiential
    learning opportunities;

  • Deconstruct the historical impact of colonial expressions of social work with Indigenous
    peoples;

  • Create Learning environments that support learners, faculty, and staff as they engage
    in continuous personal healing; and

  • Ensure that graduates of the program possess the knowledge and skills required to
    conduct their social work practice in ways that honour Indigenous ways of knowing.

Required Courses

Fall Semester - 1st Year

Winter Semester - 1st Year

Spring & Summer Semesters - 1st Year

Fall Semester - 2nd Year

Two other University Transfer Courses

ISWK3110.B
ISWK4300
ISWK4602

Winter Semester - 2nd Year

Spring & Summer Semesters - 2nd Year

One other University Transfer Courses

ISWK4300