The National Indigenous Accreditation Board (NIAB) utilizes the Wisdom-Based Practices and Responsibilities for Social Work Education Programs to accredit Baccalaureate and Master level social work education programs.

Acknowledging the importance of ensuring that these programs live within healthy and supportive environments, post-secondary institutions that are interested in applying to NIAB for accreditation of a social work education program must first secure institutional accreditation from an Indigenous accreditation body such as NIAB or the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC).

The process of accrediting social work education programs is managed by the Social Work Education Circle (SWEC), a national body with representation from a variety of treaty territories, which is responsible for assessing, affirming and supporting social work education programs. The SWEC is comprised of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, community members, alumni and students of social work education programs with an Indigenous foundation, practicing social workers and social work educators.

The activities related to the assessment of social work education programs are grounded within NIAB’s commitment to the healthy growth of dynamic education programs that are responsive to community needs, locally controlled, and are sourced within Indigenous knowledge systems.

Gratitude and Appreciation

for the heartfelt contributions of past SWEC members:

• The Late Heather Green – Yontennonha
  Wolf Clan, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
• Ann Rose Kerkovius
  Copper Inuit Nation
• Chevi Rabbit
  Montana Cree Nation
• Shauna Kegecho-Nichols
  Director of Clinical Care and Intensive Services
  Atlohsa Family Healing Services – London, Ontario
• Terri Cardinal
  Saddle Lake Cree Nation
  Associate Vice-President
  Indigenous Initiatives and Engagement
  MacEwan University

Knowledge Keepers

Banakonda Kennedy-Kish Bell,
Anishinaabe, Batchewana First Nation
Elder-in-Residence, Wilfred Laurier University Faculty of Social Work

Jerry Saddleback,
Samson Cree Nation
Elder-in-Residence, Maskwacis Cultural College

1. Alumni and Students
   • Shawn Singer
     Blood Tribe
     Indigenous Relations Consultant
     Indigenous Relations Office
     City of Calgary
2. Community Members
   • Ray McGuire
     Choctaw Nation
     Board Member
     BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
   • Joanna Vautour
     Serpent River First Nation
     Cultural Teacher
     MSW Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency Program
     University of Toronto
   • Dr. Henry Yu
     Associate Professor, History
     Principal, St. John’s College
     University of British Columbia
3. Social Workers/Community Organizations
   • Steve Teekens
     Nipissing First Nation
     Executive Director
     Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence in Toronto)
4. Educators
   • Shane Young
     Qalipu First Nation
     Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
     Toronto Metropolitan University
   • Gord Bruyere
     Couchiching First Nation

1. • Maskwacis Cultural College: Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work
   • Red Crow Community College: Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work
   • University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills:  Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work

   • Yellowhead Tribal College:  Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work

1. • University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills: Indigenous Master of Social Work (IMSW)
   • First Nations Technical Institute: Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work (BISW)

   • Old Sun Community College: Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work (IBSW) Program