CTRI ACHIEVE

Giwiidosendamin Certificate Program
Responding to Addictions and Suicide

With Decolonized Practices

Rooted in the Ojibwe concept of giwiidosendamin (“we walk together”), this five-day program emphasizes collective health, shared support, and reciprocal learning. By integrating Indigenous and Western perspectives, you will gain the skills and knowledge to support individuals, families, and communities through addictions, suicide, and related mental health concerns, using a two-eyed seeing approach.

Your co-facilitators will guide you through the impacts of addictions and suicide, the connection between trauma and addictions, and the role of cultural perspectives in decolonization efforts. This is a unique opportunity to learn practical harm reduction and recovery capital approaches to addictions support, as well as life-affirming strategies for suicide prevention. You will enhance your ability to provide meaningful and respectful support within Indigenous spaces.

By the end of the program, you will have a comprehensive understanding of addictions and suicide, and be able to implement key prevention, assessment, intervention, and postvention resources. You will also learn how to apply culturally respectful practices, support decolonization efforts, and utilize harm reduction strategies. This enriching program not only enhances professional skills but also encourages personal growth and self-reflection, empowering you to make a positive impact in your community.

Key Elements

  • Developed using Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall’s concept of two-eyed seeing, which combines Western clinical and Indigenous cultural approaches to address trauma and grief.
  • Co-facilitated by one Indigenous trainer and one non-Indigenous trainer.
  • A relational, reciprocal approach to sharing and understanding the impacts of trauma and grief.

Download Brochure

Another option for this training is to attend one of our in-person scheduled events. Click on the button below to view our upcoming events.

NOTE: If none appear, check back soon as we regularly add more events to our schedule.

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How Private Training Works

Statement on Reconciliation

As we walk the path of reconciliation, we are mindful of the connections we share with all our relatives. We understand that these connections are impacted by colonization and that there is trauma in our relationships and to the land and Indigenous ways of life. We commit to listening and learning from our relationships, and to be guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Contact Us for Your Training Needs

CTRI Does Not Provide Crisis Counselling. If you are in crisis, please call or text the number 988 to receive immediate support. This suicide and crisis helpline works in both Canada and the United States.

Learn how we can bring training to your community. Inquiries related to individual training, website purchases, and free resources will be directed to our general client services department.

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

Elliot Grisdale

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

Photo of Breanne in blue circle

Breanne Boyce

Training Coordinator
[email protected]
204-452-9199 ext. 101

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