Summary
"The Technical Competencies Guide to Working with First
Nations Clients provides a First Nations context for the
updated Technical Competencies in the Canadian Centre
on Substance Abuse’s (CCSA) Competencies for Canada’s
Substance Abuse Workforce,1 and reflects cultural principles
derived from Indigenous knowledge, including spiritual
and cultural teachings from an Indigenous world view. This
work is informed by Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed
Framework to Address Substance Abuse Issues among First
Nations People in Canada (HOS), which engaged “a variety of
interrelated knowledge gathering and engagement activities,
such as regional needs assessments, research papers and
regional focus groups.”2
It is important to remember that the culturally relevant
behaviour indicators in this Guide correlate with an Indigenous
person’s lifelong journey to balance body, mind and spirit with
self-esteem, personal dignity and cultural identity. This Guide
builds on and is to be used with the behaviour indicators in the
updated Technical Competencies Report, while characterizing
the unique knowledge and skill set essential when working
with Indigenous populations in Canada.
In the updated Technical Competencies Report, the behaviour
indicators are directed at service providers working with non-
Aboriginal Canadians. Some First Nation peoples who struggle
with substance abuse will seek treatment from mainstream
services. However, for those to whom cultural practices
and safety are paramount, treatment must be provided in a
culturally sensitive setting. The behaviour indicators in this
Guide extend the Technical Competencies to assist non-
Aboriginal treatment providers in responding effectively to First
Nations clients who request a culturally sensitive setting."--Page 4.