A counselling program model, Helpers in Education for Life Program (H.E.L.P.) is a program that was developed with the assistance of First Nations guidance counsellors, home school coordinators, education counsellors and a school clinician. Four Roundtable discussions were held in 2008 and 2009 seeking input to develop a counselling program model which will focus on training participants to become effective helpers in the learning lives of children and their families.
The result was H.E.L.P., a Counselling Skills certificate program developed and offered by the MFNERC Training Initiatives, in partnership with the University of Manitoba – Aboriginal Focus Programs. The MFNERC Training Initiatives partners with post secondary institutes such as University College of the North, University of Manitoba and University of North Dakota. These programs offer accredited professional development to people working in First Nations Schools and Education Authorities. The Team also works collaboratively with the MFNERC program units and communities to develop First Nation specific training initiatives modeled from a First Nation perspective. Programs are developed to reflect Indigenous Knowledge wherever possible and to make them relevant to our communities.

 

The first offering of the H.E.L.P. certificate program was launched in October 2009, with 17 participants from various First Nations across Manitoba. It was comprised of ten courses, which are offered using a blended delivery model. Participants met with an instructor for the ‘face to face’ portion of the course. The other part of the course involved students meeting online using Elluminate, an interactive online conferencing program where virtual schools can hold classes. Of the ten courses, one course is entirely ‘face to face’ and two courses are entirely online, the remaining seven courses are blended.
Beginning in June 2010, the eleven students that remain in the program will be preparing for the start of their eighth course, Working with First Nations Schools and Education Authorities. Upon completion of this course at the end of June, students will go on a month long hiatus before resuming in August 2010 for their ninth course; Working with First Nations families, this course will be the one and only course that will be entirely face to face where the students will meet from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for a whole week. For the final component of the program, the students will be required to complete an Independent Applied Project in September and this will lead to their graduation in October.

 

By A. David Flett