Cultural Competency and Counselling with Canada's Indigenous Peoples

Cultural awareness, cultural competence and cultural safety are important components in understanding the psychological health and wellness of Canada's Indigenous peoples. This course is designed to enhance students' competencies in understanding and working with Indigenous individuals and communities. The course will facilitate development of self-awareness, theoretical knowledge, and Indigenous knowledge of colonization and its impact on Indigenous peoples. It will introduce the social, historical, political, spiritual, and philosophical contexts that inform the psychological experiences of many Indigenous peoples and communities in Canada. The course will review concepts and principles of counselling psychology that enhance our understanding of and effectiveness in addressing client issues and multiple identities. The course also emphasizes counsellor roles and responsibilities for social justice and advocacy and provides learners with a foundation of knowledge and skills required to provide culturally appropriate counselling services to Indigenous families and individuals.