Oshki trains organization staff

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute recently conducted two week-long courses for the staff of two Nishnawbe Aski Nation organizations.
“We just learned so much this week – we feel confident now that we go back and practice what we have learned,” said Rosemary McKay, service manager, prevention unit with Tikinagan Child and Family Services.
“We would recommend this Life Skills Coach Certificate Training Program to people, especially for us from the North. We need facilitators, we need coaches and what I call movers up North.”
The Life Skills Coach Certificate Training Program is aimed at group leaders who work in social services, career counselling, education, mental health, human resources and rehabilitation or as consultants and trainers.
A group of 10 Tikinagan Child and Family Services employees and nine other students from across the North took the Life Skills Coach Certificate Training Program through YWCA Toronto April 11-15.
Following that a group of 19 Rev. Tommy Beardy Memorial Weechehewayogamik Family Treatment Centre employees took the second phase of the Chemical Addiction Worker Certificate Program through Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in B.C., April 10-14.
“I’m especially excited about this (Chemical Addiction Worker Certificate Program) because it is actually the only kind in Canada,” said Oshki executive director Rosie Mosquito. “It’s so sorely needed and I am happy we are able to help in a small way.”
The Chemical Addiction Worker Certificate Program is a fully accredited program that provides treatment staff with an opportunity to be certified in their respected fields.
“Health Canada wants to improve the services that are being delivered in the northern communities,” said Estelle Howard, program director with Oshki.
“One of the priorities is training people to work with people who are struggling with addictions.”
Howard said the program is being delivered to community-based staff who are currently working in the field.
The first orientation phase of the program in Muskrat Dam was successful, said Roy Thunder.
Thunder is the training and accreditation coordinator and a family counsellor with the Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Weechehewayogamik Family Treatment Centre.
“This second orientation phase is now taking place here in Thunder Bay in the Oshki campus and it is going very well,” Thunder said.
“Our target date for graduation is June 2012.”
The next eight phases of the program will take place in Muskrat Dam and the final phase will be held at Oshki in June 2012.