Assiniboine Community College and long plain first nation are ringing in the new year with the spirit of collaboration.

The two are joining together to deliver an applied counselling certificate program in the community, which is located southwest of Portage la Prairie.

The 20-month program begins later this month for 25 students. The curriculum focuses on children, youth, and family counselling skills as well as cultural adaptations, indigenous counselling, and trauma and crisis.

“Long Plain is very fortunate to partner with Assiniboine Community College in an exciting program that will benefit indigenous people. we look forward to the applied counselling program and wish our participants all the best in achieving desired outcomes,” said Chief Dennis Meeches.

“Community-based education offers many advantages to students who are unable to relocate for post secondary studies for extended periods of time,” said Assiniboine President Mmark Frison. “We look forward to building on the great work done to date with our partners in long plain first nation on this program, which I believe will be seen as a success by everyone involved.”

Many of the students in the program are currently working in support-oriented roles within the community. the delivery of this program will be tailored to the working cohort by being offered on a part time basis.

Program curriculum is designed to augment the type and quality of the work students are doing in their existing fields. Graduates of the applied counselling program will have expanded knowledge and skills they can put to use in their current and future careers in areas such as family services, healthcare, youth services, education, and care-giving.

Assiniboine recently partnered with ebb & flow first nation to deliver the applied counselling program in that community, which saw 22 students graduate last April.