CTRI ACHIEVE

Certificate Programs with Decolonized Practices
Giwiidabindimin and Giwiidosendamin

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Choose from two unique 5 day in-person retreat experiences that weave together Indigenous and Western approaches to healing and support.

Co-facilitated by both an Indigenous and non-Indigenous trainer, collaboratively creating an environment where everyone is both a student and a teacher. 

Choose your path.

GiwiidabindiminResponding to Trauma and Grief

(“We sit together”)

Focus: Trauma and grief support.

Giwiidabindimin emphasizes understanding and supporting individuals, families, and communities affected by trauma and grief.

Topics Include: the impacts of trauma, common grief responses, and practical support strategies.

What You’ll Learn:

Practical tools and strategies for supporting others through trauma and grief, helping them understand these experiences so you can be an effective support.

Cultural competency and how to integrate Indigenous perspectives on trauma and grief, promoting a
decolonized approach to mental health support.

Giwiidosendamin –Responding to Addictions and Suicide

(“We walk together”)

Focus: Addiction support and suicide prevention and intervention.

Giwiidosendamin takes a wholistic, trauma-informed approach to understanding and addressing addictions and suicide.

Topics include: counselling skills, harm reduction, recovery capital, and suicide intervention.

What You’ll Learn:

Addictions and suicide support skills that incorporate practical harm reduction strategies and approaches to suicide intervention and support.

A wholistic approach to wellness that incorporates body, mind, relationships, and spirituality, to ensure comprehensive support for those experiencing addiction and/or suicidal ideation.

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Our Approach

Each program takes place in-person, over 5 days. Neither program is required to take the other, but we recommend taking both!

These are not just training sessions — they’re opportunities to learn practical support skills while also engaging in personal healing.

  • Cultural and community-rooted practices: Smudging, sharing circles, and moments of celebration are woven throughout, creating space for reflection, connection, and joy.
  • Two-eyed seeing perspective: Both programs integrate Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall’s concept of two-eyed seeing, blending Indigenous and Western understandings of mental health support.
  • Co-facilitation: Programs are led by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous facilitators, offering a balanced, reciprocal learning environment.
  • Relational and reciprocal learning: You’ll be invited into a space of mutual support, where learning is rooted in relationship, story, and shared experience.

Is this program for me?

These programs are for anyone who wants to learn culturally relevant, trauma-informed approaches to helping and healing. Whether you’re a counsellor, social worker, teacher, or simply someone people come to for support, these programs are for you.

These aren’t your typical lecture-based trainings – they are transformative, emotional experiences where you will make lifelong friends and learn practical skills that you can apply to any helping role.

 

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How do I attend these programs?

Public Training

We offer both of these programs in various cities across Canada. Anyone is welcome to register and attend our public events.

Private Training

You can bring either of these programs to your community or organization, or we can facilitate them online. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.

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Will I receive a certificate?

Yes! We want you to proudly showcase all your hard work!

 

 

Contact Us for Your Training Needs

Learn how we can bring training to your community.

We Do Not Provide Crisis Counselling. If you are in crisis, please call or text the number 988 to receive immediate support.

Circle photo with blue background of Elliot Grisdale CTRI Indigenous Training Specialist

Elliot Grisdale

Indigenous Training Specialist
[email protected]
204-452-9199 ext. 112