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INDIG EN O U S CERT IF I C AT I ON B OAR D O F C AN ADA
NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2015
What’s new at a glance:
• Organizational Updates
• Name Change
• Memorandum of Understanding with FNHMA
• Policy Updates and Changes
• Certification Exam - Reviews
• Certification - Ongoing Development
• Accreditation of Training Programs
• Knowledge Exchange Network on Workforce Development
• World Indigenous Health Conference
• National Awards
Graphics
ICBOC 2014 SNAPSHOT: World Indigenous Health Conference,
Queensland, Australia. December 2014, welcoming presentation to
conference attendees.
• Sharing Our Caring - One Story
Organizational Updates
Last year we were required to comply with the new Canada Corporations Act. This required redoing our Bylaws and
Constitution, and having everything approved by our Board of Directors. On September 16, 2014 we were notified by
Industry Canada that we had complied with all the requirements of the new law and that we were registered at the
federal level as a not-for-profit organization. As part of this process, we also changed our name to: The Indigenous
Certification Board of Canada.
In addition to this change, we have also applied for recognition as a national charitable organization. This will open up
many new avenues for diversified funding, as most private and public foundations require grantees to be a charitable
institution. It will significantly improve our ability to receive private donations, as we’ll be able to issue tax receipts for
donations.
In fact, in June an organization came to us and expressed interest in having us benefit from one of their charitable
events. Since we were not a registered charity, we were not able to receive this funding. We expect to learn this Spring
whether our application has been approved.
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
Through this new partnership we received a $5000 donation. We spoke with Massy Whiteknife, the President, about our
goal of attending the World Indigenous Health Conference in Australia in December 2014, as we had been invited to
present a workshop there on the work of our organization. He offered to help us in our endeavour, and his contribution
was graciously accepted for this purpose.
Name Change
On September 16, 2014, our Board of Directors officially changed our name from the First Nations Wellness/Addictions
Counsellor Certification Board to the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada. There were occasions when
prospective registrants, who are Métis or Inuit, took exception to the use of “First Nations” to describe their people. We
were even asked why we didn’t provide services to those of Métis or Inuit heritage. Additionally, there are many related
occupations besides addiction counselors that work directly within the addiction and mental health services system.
Our new name reflects this broader perspective, and establishes our agency as the one certification and accreditation
body that focuses primarily on Indigenous workers providing services not only in
the NNADAP treatment system, but within Indigenous communities all across the
country.
We have been working diligently over the last month to make all the necessary
changes, as a result of our name change. We are redesigning our website, bro-
Did you know?
Fentanyl, a prescription pain
medication, was detected in 25%
of the 336 deaths from illicit drug
overdoses in B.C. last year. It is
chures, advertising banners, business cards, letterheads, email addresses and all
750 times stronger than codeine
program materials, to reflect our new name. We hope to have everything complet-
and 100 times more potent than
ed by the end of March 2015.
morphine. Even small doses can
cause an overdose. It is increasingly
Memorandum of Understanding with FNHMA
The First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) and the ICBOC both
support the creation of strong Indigenous health institutions to support Indigenous
governments and organizations. Both agencies share a common interest in
building Indigenous capacity at the individual, community, and national levels in
being used on the streets, as it
offers five times the punch of
heroin, at a cheaper cost. It has
shown up mixed with heroin and
even marijuana. Knowing how to
recognize the signs of fentanyl
use, as well as the symptoms of an
health, education, research, training and the promotion of health and certification.
overdose can help those around
We also have a common interest in sharing knowledge and learning experiences
the user realize the danger early,
in a way that is accessible, appropriate and easily understood, strengthening our
and seek treatment before serious
individual approaches. Based on these shared values, it was decided to formalize
consequences of an overdose
our working partnership.
occur. Symptoms of fentanyl
overdose include extreme fatigue,
On September 25th, 2014, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with difficulty walking and talking, and
slowed breath and/or snoring.
FNHMA in Vancouver at their annual conference. We consider this partnership a
major initiative, as it offers our certified professionals the possibility to direct their
career path toward management, and eventually, to receive their certification from
the FNHMA as Health Managers.
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
For more information, go to: http://www.
projectknow.com/research/fentanyl-overdose/
AND http://www.ccsa.ca/eng/pages/
searchresults.aspx#k=fentanyl-related
PAGE 2
Looking for Practicum
Placements!
Over the last month, we have taken steps to enact our MOU with FNHMA,
solidifying an action plan to offer the health and wellness Indigenous workforce in
Canada new career development opportunities.
Stay tuned for more information in the coming months!
Students from ICBOC accredited
programs are seeking practicum
placements across Canada! If you
are able to provide a student with
a placement, please contact our
Policy Updates and Changes
We have updated our policy on the suspension or revocation of professional
certification and want to share it with you. For a complete version of the policy,
Registrar, Director of Standards at:
Tel: 877-974-7425
Tel: 604-874-7425
including the process of adjudication, please contact us.
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
Our Board shall be empowered to revoke or suspend an individual’s professional certification(s) for just cause. Causes
for revocation or suspension shall include but not be limited to these types of violations:
• Obtaining or attempting to obtain certification or renewal by deliberate misrepresentation.
• Conviction of a felony during the certification period.
• Mis-use and/or chronic abuse of alcohol and/or mood altering drugs.
• Violation of any internal policy, code of ethics, code of conduct and/or any clause, regulation or stipulation that an
employee must respect in his personal and/or professional conduct.
• Breach of ICBOC professional Code of Ethics in regard to professional behavior, confidentiality and/or client safety.
ETHICAL MISCONDUCT OR OTHER VIOLATIONS REPORTED BY A THIRD PARTY
Occasionally, a third party will report a certified worker for ethical misconduct or for other types of violations that, in
this third party’s view, should lead to the suspension or revocation of the worker’s professional certification.
Anyone, who has proof of ethical misconduct or other violations on the part of an ICBOC certified worker can report it
to ICBOC. However, ICBOC will then communicate with both the employer of the worker and the certified worker him/
herself, so that the ICBOC principles and process regarding the revocation and suspension of a professional certification
are respected.
PRINCIPLES UNDERPINNING THE SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF A CERTIFICATION
• In all cases where a third party reports a certified worker’s ethical misconduct or another type of violation, and
requests the revocation or suspension of the worker’s professional certification, the burden of proof rests on this third
party.
• To substantiate his/her request for the suspension or revocation of a worker’s professional certification for ethical
misconduct or for another type of violation, the employer must submit in writing a Request for the Suspension or
Revocation of a Certification.
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
Indigenous
Certification Board ofCounsellor
Canada | Certification
WINTER/SPRING
2015 |N SPRING
E WSLE T2014
T ERN E WSLE T T ER
First
Nations Wellness/Addictions
Board
PAGE 3
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• To ensure fairness and equity, ICBOC will offer, to those who have been
Have you heard of the Rat Park
Experiment?
reported for ethical misconduct or for another type of violation, the opportunity
In the 1970’s, a professor named
to respond.
• The purpose and intention of the employer’s claim must be limited to the
suspension or revocation of a professional certification.
Reminder: Complete version available on request.
Dr. Bruce Alexander designed an
experiment called “Rat Park.” In one
cage, an isolated rat was given access
to two bottles of water: plain and druglaced. In a separate cage, a rat was given
two of the same bottles, but was also
Certification Exam - Reviews
given colored balls, nutritious rat-food,
The exam material was submitted to our partner, expert in online community
rats to play with. The rats with the better
training development and delivery (the First Nations, Inuit and Metis Program
lives didn’t like the drugged water,
of Saint Elizabeth Health Care). It was then uploaded to their learning manage-
consuming less than 1/4 than the isolated
ment system and we were able to test the exam and undertake a third round
of revision for the thousand plus questions in French and in English. Once this
manual revision is completed, we will be able to pilot the online exam in order
tunnels to run through, and many other
rats. Alexander claims this proves simple
genetic vulnerability to drugs and alcohol
is not the cause of addiction, but that lack
of human connection is. Although, not
to ensure that all its components are functioning properly, and that the appro-
widely known or accepted, it supports
priate safeguards are in place to protect the confidentiality of the exam.
what Indigenous People have known for
centuries: that culture and community is
We expect that candidates wishing to apply for their certification as Indigenous healing.
Certified Addictions Specialist at level III will be able to take the exam in MayJune 2015.
For more information: The Globalization of Addiction:
A study in poverty of the spirit (Oxford, Univ. Press,
2010)
Certification - Ongoing Development
New Specializations
We have completed the documentation phase for the development of two new specializations in the context of our
expert certification: Concurrent Disorders and Tobacco. The specialization in these certifications have a common
structure, and we now have sufficient resources to develop the specific standards and requirements for each of these
specializations for a March 2015 launch. We are simultaneously beginning the document research for the development
of one other specialization in demand in the addictions field: Trauma. Once completed, applications for these
certifications will be available on our website.
Some Changes
Clinical Supervisor Certification
We had classified our clinical supervisor certification as a level IV, which implied that it represented a natural evolution from the certification as an Addiction Specialist at level III. This is not the case, as not all level III certified addictions
specialists are necessarily interested in a clinical supervision position.
This certification does require existing experience in clinical supervision and, therefore, now stands on its own under
the title of Indigenous Certified Clinical Supervisor in Addictions (ICCSA).
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
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Prevention Specialist - Level III
We are also adding a new level III to our Indigenous Certified Addictions Prevention Specialist certification, to match it
with our Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialist certification category. Level III standards and requirements will reflect
more closely the work that community-based addictions practitioners are expected to carry out in settings other than
residential treatment facilities.
Range of certifications that will be available under this category by January 2015:
•
Indigenous Certified Addictions Prevention Worker (ICAPW)
•
Indigenous Certified Addictions Prevention Specialist – Level I (ICAPS I)
•
Indigenous Certified Addictions Prevention Specialist – Level II (ICAPS II)
•
Indigenous Certified Addictions Prevention Specialist – Level III (ICAPS III)
Peer Support Worker Certification
A number of Executive Directors in residential treatment centres have mentioned the important healing role that certain
members of staff (janitors, cooks, some administrative staff ) play as part of the centre “healing family”. This perspective
is an integral part of the Indigenous cultural holistic view of recovery, where everyone is involved and contributes to a
client’s healing journey. These staff members are seen by clients more as peers in whom they can confide and seek a
certain kind of support.
These staff members enhance the success of the treatment, and although do not possess the knowledge and skills
required for certification as addictions counsellors, they may be able to reach towards a certification as Peer Support
Workers. This certification is offered by several certification boards. We are in the process of confirming the support for
this certification and have completed the ground work to identify the current standards and requirements for this
certification.
Accreditation of Training Programs
Nova Scotia
In February, we traveled to Nova Scotia to complete the second
phase for the accreditation of the Success College Counselling
Program: the onsite visit. Success College is currently undertaking
a process of Indigenization of its program, which satisfies ICBOC’s
certification requirements. It is one of the rare institutions that
successfully finds employment for its graduates, or reimburses
their tuition fees .
http://www.successcollege.ca/#!counselling/cu2b
ICBOC 2015 SNAPSHOT: February 11, ICBOC attends
Success College in Nova Scotia to accredit their Counseling
Program.
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
PAGE 5
British Columbia
The University of the Fraser Valley has been contacted to begin the first stage of the accreditation of their Bachelor of
Arts in General Studies program with a specialization in Addictions. We anticipate completion of this accreditation –
Presite and Onsite – by the end of March.
The table below shows a list of accredited university and college programs, training agencies, conferences, in-house
workshops, and registered trainers that have been accredited over the last five months and whose accreditation is
planned for 2015.
University and College Programs
2014-2015 ICBOC Accredited Programs
Accreditation
University of the Fraser Valley
Bachelor of General Studies Degree Specializing in Addictions
Success College
Training Agencies
Counselling Skills Diploma
Accreditation
Youth Solvent Addiction Committee (YSAC)
Pharmacology
Diversity
Conferences
Suicide Prevention
Accreditation
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care
Dilico Regional Training Conference
Southern Manitoba First Nations Commercial
Tobacco Reduction Strategy
Bridging Indigenous Knowledge with the Latest Information on
Commercial Tobacco Conference Agenda
2014 Saskatchewan Regional Symposium
Accreditation of Training Program
Brighter Future Cluster Gathering
Accreditation of Training Program
First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health
and Social Services Commission
Santé mentale et impact des psychotropes
Jack Hirose and Associates
Conferences on healing and treatment of trauma, addictions and
related disorders – adults, adolescents, children
In-House Workshops
Accreditation
Tsow Tun Le Lum Society
3-Day Training on Trauma-Informed Care
Registered Trainers
Accreditation
Christine Rego, CAMH
Loretta Sheshequin, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Understanding Addictions and Recovery
Importance of Aftercare in the Recovery Continuum
Collette Slater
Community Trauma Impact
Legacy of Love – Life Skills program
Training on the Twelve Core Functions of a Counsellor
Marc Bédard
If you wish to apply for the accreditation of your training or want to know more about our accredited training or approved trainers, please contact us: registrar@icboc.ca
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
PAGE 6
Knowledge Exchange Network on Workforce Development (KENWD)
In 2006, the Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse (CCSA) established the National Advisory Group on Workforce
Development (NAGWD). Members of this group were instrumental in creating the Competencies for Canada’s Substance
Abuse Workforce. Our agency joined this group in January of 2013.
Once the development phase of the Competencies were complete, it became clear that a new, action-oriented
implementation focus was required to further the development of Canada’s substance abuse workforce. The Knowledge
Exchange Network on Workforce Development (KENWD) was established in the fall of 2014. We attended our first
meeting on November 11, 2014 in Toronto.
The mandate of the group is to play an active role in supporting the implementation of the Competencies, with an
emphasis on certification and accreditation, as well as generating opportunities to increase uptake on the Competencies
and related products. The Competencies have been reviewed by NNAPF, in order to ensure that cultural knowledge and
skills specific to technical competencies that support the substance abuse workforce specific to servicing First Nations in
Canada, are included.
One of the key topics we discussed at the first meeting in Toronto in November were the priorities of the Canadian
Centre on Substance Abuse. CCSA is in the process of reviewing their mandate and their priorities for the upcoming years.
Their staff was eager to consult with our group to get our feedback on what we felt were the most important issues in the
substance abuse workforce across the country.
Our Executive Director, along with a representative of NNAPF, provided a First Nations perspective and highlighted some
of the inequities facing First Nations service providers. The main concern they expressed was the issue of salaries &
benefits. Members of the group were shocked to hear that wages for our addiction counsellors were so low, and in
some cases, only HALF of what mainstream counsellors are receiving. We also raised the issues of lack of (and cost of )
obtaining proper training to maintain certification; and the need for more funding to increase addiction services both in
community-based treatment, as well as NNADAP funded treatment centres. It is essential that the First Nations addictions
treatment workforce have representation at the national level when it comes to issues pertaining to the provision of
addiction and mental health services to First Nations people.
We are now preparing to modify our certification documents - in particular our application packages - to adapt our core
function requirements to the First Nations Cultural Technical Indicators/Competencies, adapted by NNAPF from the
competencies developed by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
World Indigenous Health Conference
ICBOC was invited to make a presentation at the World Indigenous Health Conference (WIHC) in Queensland, Australia
from December 15-17, 2014. We accepted the invitation, and provided a presentation on, “Creating Your Own Indigenous
Professional Certification Organization.”
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
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Our objectives for attending the conference were to showcase the work of the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada;
to network with other Indigenous health care providers from Australia and other parts of the world, and develop key
contacts that could assist ICBOC in meeting our goals for Indigenous knowledge exchange in the field of addictions and
mental health; and, to investigate interest in professional certification towards our long term goal to establish reciprocity
through the development of an International Association of Indigenous Certification Boards.
The conference itself was not designed to provide answers for one and all, but was designed to bring together both
government and non-government agencies who are working in the Indigenous health arena, focusing on closing the
gap and strengthening the life expectancy of Indigenous people to equal that of non- Indigenous people. It provided
an informative forum of research, health education and training of staff for the improvement of Indigenous health. They
had presenters ranging from individuals and groups to government and non-government agencies, representing five
countries in total: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, and Norway. In regard to our first two objectives: to promote
our organization, and to extend our knowledge exchange network, we were able to interest a number of people and
discuss various issues of common interest.
We distributed all our brochures and were able to display and explain our certification. The most common feedback
was enthusiastic and congratulatory. The majority expressed the wish to reach our level of progress in terms of being
able to enjoy the kind of self-determination in the area of professional recognition and of our ability to use/integrate
culture openly and legitimately in our healing practices.
We were also able to promote our services to a Canadian contingent who attended the conference. Our most
potentially beneficial contact was made with two presenters from the Northwest Territories, Ms. Debbie DeLancey,
the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services for the Government of the Northwest Territories, and her copresenter, Sabrina Broadhead, the Director of Aboriginal Health and Community Wellness, also with the territorial
government of the Northwest Territories. Their presentation, “Addressing Aboriginal Health Disparities through Community Empowerment and Healing on the Land,” was well received, and gave an excellent overview of the challenges
facing Indigenous peoples in the far north, and some of the effective ways they developed to meet these challenges.
They were very interested in the work of our agency, and are following up with them regarding certification of addiction
workers in the Northwest Territories. They were also interested in training for their addiction workers and we indicated
that we would be very pleased to share with them our contacts from the colleges and training institutes that we
accredit.
The conference highlighted some of the existing Indigenous health programs currently implemented in communities
throughout the globe and provided us with opportunities to discuss and exchange ideas and information regarding
the challenges we experience, our solutions and success stories. This experience, which reinforced our belief in the
power of Indigenous unity of purpose, invigorated us in our commitment to continue working on our vision for an
International Indigenous Association of Certification Boards.
ICBOC continues to investigate the potential for the creation of an Indigenous Australian Certification Board as a first
step towards establishing reciprocity across an international federation of Indigenous certification boards.
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
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National Awards Presentation
This year marked the first time our organization was able to provide two national awards to two very dedicated
and qualified Indigenous leaders in the addictions field. Through our new partnership with the First Nations Health
Managers Association, we were able to present these awards at their annual national conference in Vancouver. We
developed the Soaring Eagle Award and the Phoenix Award. The soaring eagle is a key symbol of our agency and is part
of all of our promotional and administrative material including business cards, posters, banners, and brochures.
The Soaring Eagle Award is presented to an individual whose pursuit of knowledge and skills in her/his field has been exemplary, and who has purposefully
utilized their knowledge and skills beyond their professional mandate, to
serve their community and make a difference in the lives of others. This year’s
winner was Raija Vic, the first Clinical Supervisor certified by our agency. She
works at the Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Solvent Abuse Treatment Centre in Thunder
Bay, Ontario, and illustrates the common vision and commitment at the core
of the new FNHMA - ICBOC partnership: a career laddering system based on
the recognition of the personal and professional competencies of our Indigenous workforce and the belief in their rights to fulfill the aspirations they nurture for themselves, their families, communities and nations.
The Phoenix Award is offered to an individual who has shown outstanding personal resilience, courage and professional
competence in the face of uncommon hardships. Last year the award was given to Isaac Hernandez whose example of
courage, determination and commitment to his staff and clients is truly remarkable, inspiring and deserves recognition.
For his story, please see Sharing Our Caring - One Story, below.
Sharing Our Caring - One Story
Last year, in September we awarded Isaac Hernandez the Phoenix Award. In 1986, Isaac Hernandez became a political
refuge from El Salvador. Prior to that, he was a Minister who dedicated his time to helping his people who were suffering
from a long civil war. In 1988, while working in a B.C. sawmill, he was hit by a falling log, resulting in a serious back injury.
He needed three surgeries to repair the damange he suffered. Only one year later, he started working as part of an underground operation to bring Latin American refugees to the US and Canada, helping them with their immigration process
and the emotional turmoil they were experiencing.
In 1991, Isaac had a serious fall down a flight of stairs and received a brain injury that resulted in memory loss. In spite
of all this, in 1996, he received his Master’s degree from Trinity Western University in Abbotsford, B.C. and began doing
volunteer work in the area at substance abuse treatment centres.
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
PAGE 9
In 2003, Isaac became the Executive Director of the North Winds Treatment Centre in Dawson Creek, B.C. A year later,
he began working with other treatment centres in B.C., and they established the First Nations Wellness & Addictions
Counsellor Certification Board (now, the ICBOC).
In 2011, while visiting Toronto for medical treatment, he was walking on
the sidewalk and was accosted by a man requesting money. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any cash on him and, as a result, was stabbed in the
stomach. If it weren’t for passers-by, he would have bled from his injury
and died. This unfortunate incident required a series of abdominal surgeries. To this day, he requires ongoing medical attention.
Two years ago, North Winds Treatment burned to the ground. In spite
of these extraordinary challenges, Isaac continued as the Executive Director of the treatment centre, and it has been
rebuilt. He is still there today.
Isaac has been involved in the healing profession for over 20 years in various professional and volunteer assignments, e.g.
Minister of Religion, Clinical Counsellor, University Assistant Professor, and Consultant. While performing these
assignments, he always has maintained a close connection with the Addictions Treatment/Recovery field. His expertise is
in Counseling, Spirituality, Leadership and Management skills.
We would love to hear your own inspiring stories so we can share them with our readers, so please don’t hesitate to
send them to our Communications Coordinator by email at admin@icboc.ca or by phone at 1-604-874-7425.
“Love is something you and I must have. We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it. We must have it because
without it we become weak and faint. Without love our self-esteem weakens. Without it our courage fails. Without love
we can no longer look out confidently at the world... But with love, we are creative. With it, we march tirelessly. With it,
and with it alone, we are able to sacrifice for others.”
~ Chief Dan George
Indigenous Certification Board of Canada | SPRING 2015 N E WSLE T T ER
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board | SPRING 2014 N E WSLE T T ER
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