In-Person Workshops

Giwiidabindimin Certificate Program

Responding to Trauma and Grief With Decolonized Practices

October 05, 2026 - October 09, 2026
(09:00 AM - 04:00 PM PDT )

Full

This certificate program is currently full. The next program will be taking place November 30–December 4, 2026.
30
Continuing Education
Credit Hours (CEC)

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Giwiidabindimin (“we sit together”) captures the essence of togetherness and the experience of participating in this program. When we sit together, we can acknowledge grief and trauma, share our perspectives, and learn from each other in a reciprocal way.

Join us for an enriching five-day program that weaves together Indigenous and Western knowledge to provide a two-eyed seeing understanding of trauma and grief. Two co-facilitators will share their wisdom and expertise to provide a relational approach to providing meaningful support. The co-facilitators will create a collaborative and reciprocal learning environment that allows space for everyone to be learners and teachers. You will have the opportunity to self-reflect on your personal journey while considering effective approaches to supporting individuals, families, and communities affected by trauma and grief.

Key Elements

  • Two-eyed Seeing perspective as put forward through Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall’s concept of a Two-eyed Seeing view of the world, the weaving together of Western clinical and Indigenous cultural approaches for responding to those experiencing trauma and grief
  • Co-facilitated by Indigenous and non-Indigenous trainers
  • A relational, reciprocal approach to sharing and understanding the impacts of trauma and grief

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, participants should be able to:

  • Define trauma and understand the possible variations of potential impact
  • Identify key assessment areas for individuals who have experienced traumatic events
  • Describe the connection between traumatic experiences and post-traumatic stress symptoms
  • Recognize the influence of dominant discourses and mainstream understandings of grief
  • Respond and support individuals, families, and communities impacted by grief

Method of Delivery

Presentation, video, case study exercises, personal reflection, and small group discussion.

Note: A printed manual for this workshop is included, and received at the event.

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Some of the Topics Included

  • Understanding Clinical and Cultural Approaches to Healing
  • Building Self-Awareness of the Impact of Working With Trauma
  • Intergenerational Impacts of Trauma
  • Reconnection and Resilience
  • Exploring the Impacts of Grief and Loss
  • The Role of Sharing on the Healing journey

Target Audience

This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop for those working in Indigenous communities and organizations and working in social service and health care roles, counsellors, social workers, school personnel, and anyone supporting people working through trauma and grief.

Terms & Conditions

View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.

The fees above are for a live event and do not include any copyright or licensing fees for creating recordings or reproductions of the workshop. Participants may not use AI tools or other technology to capture, transcribe, or replicate facilitator content without prior written consent. Exceptions may be granted for accessibility purposes—please contact us in advance to discuss accommodations.

Facilitator: Jaicee Chartrand

MPCC, CIAS-II

Jaicee is Cree-Métis and lives on Treaty 1 Land in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a Registered Professional Counsellor and a Certified Indigenous Addictions Specialist, with over fifteen years of experience in frontline and leadership positions in mental health, addictions, and social services. In addition to training with CTRI, Jaicee owns a private counselling practice and is a Certified Universal Shamanic Practitioner. She mindfully seeks healing spaces that provide learning and education through traditional values and a two-eyed-seeing lens. And as a helper, Jaicee believes real change happens through relationships, authenticity, and empowerment. As someone who embraces open-heartedness and authenticity, Jaicee integrates her lived experiences into her trainings. She trains from a collectivist perspective, where we come together as equal learners and sharers of knowledge to serve and support our healing communities.

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Facilitator: Monica Bhatara

MA

Monica has over 25 years of experience working in the community-based social services field as a Therapist and Community Educator. She is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and Focusing-Oriented Therapist. Monica has worked both in clinical settings for various programs and served in a leadership role as Director of Clinical Practice, providing her expertise to clinical and non-clinical programs that focus on family preservation and reunification, complex intergenerational trauma, trauma-informed practice, and clinical supervision. In addition to training with CTRI, she has a private counselling practice where she incorporates somatic work, play and expressive therapies, and interpersonal neurobiology in her work with children, youth, and adults. Monica believes in the power of human resiliency and the importance of building the capacity of paraprofessionals and non-clinical workers because they play a vital role on the therapy spectrum. As a trainer, she brings stimulating stories and a style that promotes engagement and facilitates learning.

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