Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work

The First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC), which 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 Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work, which is a two year after diploma 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).