Program Overview
The Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Health and Wellness offers students the opportunity to learn about historical and current contexts of Indigenous peoples, to practice self-awareness and self-reflection, to learn from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors about cultural safety, and develop culturally competent health leadership skills.
Students already enrolled in a degree program offered by the Faculty of Health and Social Development are eligible to receive the Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Health and Wellness upon successful completion of the certificate requirements.
The certificate is expected to be completed over two to three years. The certificate was developed by an Indigenous Advisory Committee composed of more than 30 members including Syilx and urban Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, language speakers, Indigenous leaders and managers, individuals who worked or have worked in Interior Health, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Okanagan Indian Band, First Nations Health Authority, and Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre; Centre for Teaching and Learning staff, and staff, alumni, undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members in the Faculty of Health and Social Development and Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Health and Wellbeing requires current enrolment in a degree program at UBC Okanagan, plus completion of INDG_O 100.
Students typically begin the certificate in their first, second or third year of their undergraduate program. Students wishing to start the certificate after the start of their third year are encouraged to reach out to Academic Advising to discuss course planning options to ensure their program completion is not delayed.
Certificate Requirements
The certificate consists of 12 credits. Students must complete the following courses:
- INDG_O 102 (3 credits)1
- HINT_O 388 (3 credits)2
- HINT_O 488 (6 credits)
1 Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program may replace this program requirement with NRSG_O 125.
2 Students in the B.S.N. program may replace this program requirement with NRSG_O 313.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Indigenous Health and Wellness, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a deepening awareness of the historical and ongoing contexts of Indigenous peoples including the impact of colonialism, colonial narratives, intergenerational trauma and systemic Indigenous specific racism.
- Engage in critically self-reflective and self-care practices to address biases and connect with oneself to strengthen respectful relationships and develop humility.
- Appreciate the inherent value of Indigenous health and wellbeing practices, acknowledging their role in promoting wholistic and community-centered approaches to care.
- Respect and honour Indigenous ways of knowing and being, such as grounding learning in Indigenous worldview, nation-based storytelling and experiences of Indigenous people.
- Describe what meaningful relationship is within an Indigenous context emphasizing the role of trust, reciprocity, respect, relevance, and responsibility.
- Cultivate relational accountability practices with Syilx and Okanagan communities through language, respectful relationships, and engagement in protocols.
- Engage in culturally responsive health care approaches that uphold Indigenous self-governing protocols and practices in health.