Students with an interest in health and healing are encouraged to apply for participation in this unique learning experience that balances exceptional academic opportunities and hands on experience of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Healing. This program will provide a foundation and understanding of traditional health and healing and help build the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in their ongoing training in the health sciences and health care professions.

The Indigenous Health Sciences Program will also provide students with the opportunity to develop personal, academic, and professional skills. The academic portion of the program will be tailored to the assessed needs of prospective students with a focus on completion of the courses necessary for entrance into their chosen health professional or paraprofessional programs.

Along with being provided the opportunity to meet and learn from respected traditional Elders and Healers, students will also be provided with the opportunity to meet and be mentored by Indigenous researchers, health administrators, and health professionals from a wide range of health science fields (environmental health sciences, medicine, midwifery, naturopathy, and nursing, among others).

Traditional health and healing is based upon Indigenous philosophy and includes our connection to our lands, our languages, and our ceremonies. As a participant in this program the student will be provided the opportunity to develop and strengthen:

• Language skills;
• Their connection to, and relationship with, the land;
• Understanding of, and role in, ceremony;
• A personal role in community healing;
• Understanding of traditional protocols and values, natural medicine, and Indigenous history; and
• An understanding and experience of Indigenous science.

Through shared research, self discovery, and personal development; students will participate in directing their own learning journey toward developing the skills, abilities, and prerequisites necessary to achieve their academic and professional goals.

Admission Requirements:

1. Vision, passion, and commitment to personal health and healing
2. Commitment to community service and community health and healing
3. Personal and community references and support
4. High School or equivalent evidence of academic achievement or work experience
5. Academic skills assessment
6. Interview with coordinator

Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to complete University credit courses as well as the prerequisites necessary for their choice of health profession. Depending on the applicants desired educational path, it is possible to complete an undergraduate degree in parallel with the completion of the Indigenous Health Sciences Program requirements for graduation.

The goal of the Indigenous Health Sciences Program is to assist students to become whole healthy people with the skills, abilities, and strengths to provide health services and healing to our communities and nations.

The Indigenous Health Sciences Program will be a source of strength, pride and health for members of our communities and nations and will utilize our philosophies, our languages, our ceremonies and our traditional knowledge as the basis for instruction and for the development of individuals in their personal healing journeys.

For more information, contact the registrar at registrar@bluequills.ca