Offered by, for and with Indigenous people, this 9-credit (3-course) microprogram in Indigenous family and child service development was developed by the Kinistòtàdimin Circle of the School of Social Work.

The program is designed to meet the needs of Indigenous communities that, following the coming into force in 2020 of federal Bill C-92, are developing or wish to develop their own family and child support systems. The aim is to support the training needs of caregivers and practitioners who will be involved in this transformation process, by providing the necessary knowledge base. Consequently, it is aimed exclusively at people with work experience or a marked interest in working in organizations serving indigenous families, children and communities.

The program is offered primarily to Indigenous people but is also open to non-Indigenous people. It is open to people from outside the University of Ottawa (non-degree students), who are not required to fulfill the full obligations of a university degree, and to students already enrolled in an undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa.

The program adopts a pedagogy based on holistic Indigenous learning and knowledge rooted in culture and oral tradition: teaching by Elders, teaching and co-teaching by Indigenous teachers and knowledge keepers, sharing circles, presentation of realities experienced by Indigenous families, children and communities, peer-to-peer teaching and testimonials, experiential learning through territory-based class sessions.

Through courses offered in a culturally safe teaching and learning environment, learners will be led to:

• Analyze the effects of colonialism on social policies and practices, with an emphasis on their impact on Indigenous communities.
• Study the important dimensions of the Constitution, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the recent evolution of the Act and the recognition of Indigenous rights in relation to family and childhood.
• Understand the processes involved in implementing services for Indigenous families and children within the perspective of laws and systems created by and for Indigenous communities.
• Explore and analyze healing approaches and methods specific to traditional and modern helping relationships from an Indigenous worldview.
• Know and understand the cultural identities and traditional values of Indigenous peoples.

Format: 

Courses will be offered primarily by distance education, although a certain number of sessions may be held in person, on Indigenous lands or on the university campus. Courses will be offered outside regular working hours to encourage participation

Costs : 

If you are not currently a student at the university of Ottawa, this program has costs that will be billed to you. If you are already a full-time or part-time student at the University of Ottawa, the costs are part of your tuition fees. For more information on costs, visit the University Fees website

For Indigenous candidates, it may be possible for your community to assume the costs of this training; we invite you to inquire with your Band Council or the organizations responsible for post-secondary education services in your community.

Application dates: 

You can apply at any time. Applications completed and received after August 15th will be considered for January admissions. Applications completed and received after November 30th will be considered for September.  Apply soon: cohorts will be small to encourage cohesion and participation, so places are limited!

Course start date: 

Early September or Early January.

Closed captions are available in English and French.
Need the information in an accessible manner? Please email the school at [email protected]

This microprogram is offered at the specific request of members of the First Nations from the territory on which the University of Ottawa is located. The objective is to meet the needs of Indigenous communities that are developing or wish to develop their own family and child support systems. It will enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners to improve their skills in the fields of legislation and helping relationships with families and children.

Enrolment in the Microprogram in Development of Indigenous Family-Childhood Services – Foundations for Practice is open to individuals with French language skills.

Non-degree students (i.e., those not already admitted and enrolled at the University of Ottawa) must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• High school diploma
• Have work experience (volunteer or paid) in an organization providing services to Indigenous families, children and communities OR demonstrate an interest in working in organizations serving Indigenous families, children and communities.
• Please contact the School of Social Work: [email protected] to receive the application form. 

Students already admitted and enrolled in an undergraduate program must :

• Have work experience (volunteer or paid) in an organization that provides services to Indigenous families, children and communities OR demonstrate an interest in working in organizations serving Indigenous families, children and communities.
• Please contact the School of Social Work: [email protected] to receive the application form. 

If you are interested in taking the Microprogram Development of Indigenous Family-Childhood Services – Foundations for Practice, please contact the School of Social Work: [email protected]

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the program supervisor, professor Cyndy Wylde: [email protected]

Non-degree students  (i.e., those not already admitted and registered at the University of Ottawa) must meet the following eligibility criteria and submit :

• A copy of your high school diploma;
• A cover letter of 250 words or less, demonstrating your interest in working in organizations serving Indigenous children, families and communities, and in undertaking the microprogram;
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae. If you have volunteer or paid work experience in organizations serving Indigenous children, families and communities, be sure to include this in your resume;
• Indigenous candidates are given priority. If you are an Indigenous person, please submit proof of Indigenous identity OR a declaration of Indigenous identity accompanied by a letter of support from the community you belong to (from an elected representative, an Elder, the person responsible for your high school studies, or any other person who can attest to your identity) or from an urban Indigenous organization (such as a Native Friendship Centre).

Students already admitted and enrolled in an undergraduate program must submit :

• A cover letter of 250 words or less expressing your interest in working in organizations serving Indigenous children, families and communities, and in undertaking the microprogram;
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae. If you have volunteer or paid work experience in organizations serving Indigenous children, families and communities, be sure to include this in your resume.
• Indigenous candidates are given priority. If you are an Indigenous person, please submit proof of Indigenous identity OR a declaration of Indigenous identity accompanied by a letter of support from the community you belong to (from an elected representative, an Elder, the person responsible for your high school studies, or any other person who can attest to your identity) or from an urban Indigenous organization (such as a Native Friendship Centre).

Evaluation of Applications 

The Tikinagan Committee and the Kinostòtàdimin Circle of the School of Social Work will evaluate complete applications (make sure to submit all required documents). You will be notified by e-mail of the decision. Hurry, the program is limited!