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The Indigenous Field of Study is the first Master of Social Work (MSW) program in Canada rooted in a wholistic Indigenous worldview and contemporary social work practice. The goal is to develop social work practitioners who demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the history, traditions and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. This unique program includes the use of Indigenous elders, a traditional circle process and Indigenous ceremonies.

The needs most commonly identified by Indigenous people, as seen often in their public statements and political processes, include self-determination, cultural preservation and respect for the wholistic healing worldview. The MSW Indigenous Field of Study will fully and dramatically root itself within the Indigenous worldview. Our goal is the development of social work practitioners who can seek empowerment for Indigenous populations so that they can meet the needs that they have identified for themselves.

Attend an Information Session

Learn more about our MSW program by attending one of our upcoming information sessions. Sessions will be posted for the upcoming cycle and will take place online via Zoom.

Program Details

Course Offerings

Starting in Fall 2025, the Indigenous Field of Study full-time program will run in a hybrid format.

Fall

  • SK628 Culture Camp: 1-week in-person (land-based)
  • SK647 Elders' Teaching and Indigenous Identity: 1-week in-person (Kitchener)
  • SK645 Indigenous Research Methods: Tuesday mornings (Virtual synchronous via Zoom)
  • SK646 Wholistic Healing Practices: Wednesday mornings (Virtual synchronous via Zoom)

Winter

  • SK507 Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices: Monday mornings (Virtual synchronous via Zoom)
  • SK644 Indigenous Kinship Structures and Social Work Practice: Tuesday mornings (Virtual synchronous via Zoom)
  • SK649 Advanced Field Education (3 days/week): Practicum in community

Spring

  • SK635 Indigenous Knowledges and Theory: 1-week in-person (Kitchener)
  • SK648 Elders' Teachings and Self-Reflection: 1-week in-person (land-based)
  • SK649 Advanced Field Education (3 days/week): Practicum in community

Starting in Fall 2025, the Indigenous Field of Study part-time program will run in a hybrid format.

Fall (Term 1)

  • SK628 Culture Camp: 1-week in-person (land-based)
  • SK647 Elders' Teaching and Indigenous Identity: 1-week in-person (Kitchener)

Winter (Term 2)

  • SK646 Wholistic Healing Practices: 1-week virtual synchronous*
  • SK649 Advanced Field Education (3 days/week): Practicum in community

Spring (Term 3)

  • SK649 Advanced Field Education (3 days/week): Practicum in community
  • SK645 Indigenous Research Methods: 1-week virtual synchronous*

Fall (Term 4)

  • SK507 Social Justice and Transformative Social Work Practices: 1-week virtual synchronous*
  • SK644 Indigenous Kinship Structures and Social Work Practice: 1-week virtual synchronous*

Winter (Term 5)

  • SK635 Indigenous Knowledges and Theory: 1-week in-person (Kitchener or FNTI)

Spring (Term 6)

  • SK648 Elders' Teachings and Self-Reflection (Pass/Fail): 1-week in-person (land-based)
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