FNWACCB CERTIFICATION PHILOSOPHY

To provide relevant certification and training
that is specific to traditional First Nations healing philosophy.
FNWACCB Mission statement

The establishment of the First Nations Wellness and Addictions Counsellors Certification Board in British Columbia is the historic realization of the enduring, inspiring vision and commitment of people working in the wellness and Addiction fields, including Training and Education, who believed their indigenous traditional teachings are the most potent means to carry forward the legacy of indigenous original Spiritual, Cultural and Social integrity and to effectively heal the ravages of addictions in their societies.

The larger vision of the FNWACCB relates to the belief that the application of these concepts will ultimately result in breaking the cycle of dependency and moving forward towards a return to wellness, autonomy, prosperity and influence in the world.

The vision of the First Nations Wellness and Addictions Counsellors Certification Board is to assist in the on-going development of prosperous, healthy, fully functioning First Nation Societies.

The core beliefs of this unfolding historic movement are that indigenous communities have unique and legitimate philosophical and spiritual healing needs, philosophys and solutions, that special skills and knowledge are necessary to work effectively within the First Nations Community, and that the standards for the certification of indigenous practitioners in the fields related to wellness and addictions counselling need to be established by indigenous people themselves.

Provincial, Federal and international agencies require certification. Individuals seeking certification choose to do so of their own free will and agree to accept the decision of our Board. Application and recognition of certification is voluntary. The credibility of this certification is derived from the maintenance of standards, which the Counsellors reflect in their daily practice, as well as the performance of the Certification Board itself. The Certification Board is governed by approved By-Laws and is incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Members of the Board serve without remuneration.

PRINCIPLES GOVERNING CERTIFICATION

In developing the certification standards for Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialist, certain principles have been recognized:

In the establishment of a system for the Certification of First Nations Wellness/Addiction Counsellors, the FNWACCB recognizes the need to define the role of the Addiction specialist in a manner that is distinct from others who may provide additional services to the same client population.

The FNWACCB believes that addictions is a chronic, progressive, and potentially fatal disease, that effects the total person physically, psychologically, socially, culturally, and spiritually, and is characterized by tolerance, withdrawal, physical dependence, loss of control, denial, and pathological organ changes, (DSM IV).

Certification is based largely on competence and knowledge about alcoholism/ drug addiction and First Nations people rather than on emphasis on academic achievement.

Authority for this certification comes from the coalition of First Nations Addiction Program/Agencies, and is supported by professionals working in First Nations Addiction who share the concern of the First Nations programs for a standard of excellence and competence.

Certification will be offered to Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialists working with First Nations people.

FNWACCB recognizes the need for certification of all workers within the wellness field, i.e. Youth Workers, Family Support Workers, Program Elders, Community Health Representatives, Client Support Workers.