“I have come away from the IFTP program with more knowledge of technology, traditional practices, self confidence and self worth.
The opportunity you gave me runs deeper than strengthening my mathematics, writing, computer skills and history. You gave me an opportunity to help identify myself more clearly. I do realize this journey of identity-seeking will take more time to discover. However, I was provided with information, tools and guidance towards ceremonies and healing lodges through this program that will help in my discovery.
I am beginning to understand generational trauma and how it affected people and perhaps me as well. Learning this is also accepting that I must learn my culture from programs such as this to be able to learn what is innately in me.
Chi Miigwetch! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this 12-week program and hope that your organization is still available to help others like me to do the same for years to come. I tell everyone about this program!”
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Brandy Poelstra, IFTP Graduate 2022
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“Dear Committee Members,
I’m writing this letter to thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend this class. I’m so happy I took this program. It was life changing for me.
I was adopted as a baby and was never raised in my culture. It is something that I wish I was taught as a child for the indigenous traditions is such a beautiful thing. I expected to learn many things about the culture and history of the Indigenous people. I wasn’t expecting was the healing I would get from this class.
I was nervous walking into TeKnoWave but everyone made me feel welcome. We started every day with a smudge and a sharing circle. We also read this book called You Are the Medicine, which was so beautifully written, it had me in tears a few times.
So, I would like to thank you again for giving me this opportunity.”
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Chi Miigwetch, Shanna Kesselring IFTP Graduate 2022
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“TeKnoWave has opened up many opportunities and I am proud to be the first Canadian Youth Ambassador at the ITU Telecom Asia 2004 youth forum in Busan, South Korea.”
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Angela Vallely, MCSA Graduate 2004, Technologist/Skills Facilitator TeKnoWave Inc.
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“Meegwetch for supporting me for I am Re-Indigenizing Education with IFTP !!”
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Neecha Dupuis, IFTP Graduate 2023
Signatory Citizen from the Ojibway Nation of Saugeen Indian Tribe No. 258 of Grand Council Treaty 3.
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“The Indigenous Community Service Worker Program is a great program. I liked how close together the exams are to when we learn the material. It is perfect. The course material is easy to grasp and to see how it can be implemented in the future. Students at local colleges and universities who struggle with the workload and its distribution but would excel in this program.
I like that we have guest speakers who come in and just drop knowledge, and make you think, stirring the pot of what you thought you knew. Something a guest speaker said in class really hit home and has helped with my motivation and academic responsibility. We have a great teacher, and the tuition is covered which relieves stress, so Nya:weh, Nia:wen, Aishendaa’gaa, Miigwech.”
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Michael Wade ICSW Graduate 2018
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“Nia: wen (thank you) TeKnoWave. Not only am I getting a good job, but I am also returning to my own community to start my career.”
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Trina Henhawk, MCSA Graduate 2006, Technologist/Skills Facilitator OGWEHOWEH, Six Nations
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“During this program it was great to see us supporting each other, especially in circle. People who started of shy and hesitant ended up coming out of their shells towards the end of our program and that’s because they felt supported and not judged.
I’m now more equipped to seek out a job requiring computer skills which was my goal when entering this program. I’m looking into a college program for the Fall to work toward my dream job: working with men in the “iron tepee” (prison system).
Moving forward, I’ll carry with me new tools and skills to put me in a better place to help my community and beyond.”
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Terry Sinnett, IFTP Graduate 2023
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“Community and service work through the lens of an Indigenous View is the way I’ve always wanted to connect because it’s our culture and it’s in our DNA. No matter what happens it’s something I always end up going back to. Even through my toughest times.
That’s why I am so grateful for the opportunity you have given me and hopefully so many others. It opened many doors as I discovered how I want to help others. It has set me on my path to be a Social Service Worker. This program will be my foundation.”
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Tamara Owl, ICSW Graduate 2019
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“This was exactly what I was looking for to me to move forward in my life. I needed to upgrade some of my previous computer skills and prepare a several resumes for different areas of work.
It has definitely opened the doors of opportunity for me and played a huge part of regaining my self-confidence in preparing for future employment.
I really enjoyed the program and just loved the Sharing Circle and more importantly the book we all read over the program. This book, “You Are The Medicine”, by Asha Frost, was just magical to me and full of teaching I needed to hear. I received teachings I never was shown or taught about and I’m just so grateful they found me by reading this book. Thank you.
I totally recommend this course to anyone who wants a jumpstart to coming back to working world and or just upgrade some of their computer skills.
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Kate Rogers, IFTP Graduate 2023
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“I highly recommend this program for Indigenous students. The Indigenous Community Service Worker Diploma Program provides a clear understanding of the Indigenous community and our needs as opposed to a western version.”
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Brittany Jones, ICSW Graduate 2018
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“Don’t Tell Me, It’s Impossible! Like any other student, when I enrolled in TeKnoWave, I was hoping for a valuable learning experience and a quality job at the end. TeKnoWave came through on both counts. Anything is Possible!”
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Andrew Southward, MCSA 2011, Listuguj, TeKnoWave Graduate
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“I’m extremely grateful for having a person of ceremony (counsellor) available with compassion, healthy words.
We laugh, we shared stories that inspired others with what is close to our hearts we have a morning smudge in a circle, a safe sharing space.”
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Neecha Dupuis, IFTP Graduate 2023
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“I enjoy the teaching style; I enjoy the material taught and the exams don’t scare the **** out of me. This is the best Post Secondary program I have come across yet.”
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Graduate ICSW 2021
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“My decision to attend the program was a big one for my husband and my two boys. We were able to design a site for the Assembly of First Nations, which was an honour especially since I am an Ojibway from the Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nations. I now have the best of two words, I stay home raising my children while working for the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation.”
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Tina Leblanc, Graduate 2013