The Mission of the Native Human Services program is to provide an accredited Honours Bachelor of Social work degree that offers knowledge , skills and experience to work effectively with Native and non-Native communities.

Guiding Principles of the Mission

Native Human Services in its commitment to foster Native social work training positions its foundations in the pursuit of self-determination, such as reclaiming; reformulating and reconstituting Indigenous traditions, cultures and communities.  Our philosophy is to foster harmony with all of creation which also means with fellow human beings.  Therefore Native Human Services respects and acknowledges all students, staff, faculty, Elders and visitors.

Native Human Services respectfully embraces the guiding philosophy of the programme.  Native Human Services incorporates the Seven Grandfather Teachings as a guiding theory and embraces the Social Work Code of Ethics.  The Native Human Services programme logo represents the goal of Nishnaabe Kinoomaadwin Naadmaadwin to build and maintain healthy families and communities. 

Native Human Services embraces a space where academic pursuits toward higher education and excellence can be attained.  The faculty continues to provide a Native-based curriculum programme that is inclusive of social work teachings, innovative research, Indigenous knowledges and cultures and Professional and Ethical practice.

Native Human Services recognizes the maintenance and preservation of traditional values and practice.  Therefore, we recognize the leadership and stewardship of those First Nations peoples who live in close proximity of Laurentian University.  Likewise we acknowledge those communities who have a special relationship with Laurentian University and acknowledge their continued input and support.  Therefore Native Human Services acknowledges the partnership of its Native communities and recognizes them as important conduits for the programme, its students, staff and faculty.  Likewise, we acknowledge all peoples who bring with them their knowledges and we invite them to join with us in a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect and exchange of understandings.  In embracing traditional ways, the worldview for Native peoples is to be respectful of the environment.  Therefore we recognize that the lands and water sources surrounding the University are also an important teaching space.

The Wigwam as a guiding principle for the School of Native Human Services embraces growth such as the development of graduate programmes and fosters partnerships with the community and other institutions.  The “wigwam” was and is a space that embraces, facilitates, encourages, respects, nurtures, teaches, enlightens, challenges, empowers, prepares and heals.  It is a space where traditional knowledge, language and customs can intermingle with all knowledges and a place where cultural and spiritual teachings can be envoked.  The wigwam is a space where knowledge is processed for learners and acknowledges those responsible for disseminating teachings.  It is also a space where leadership and transformation can evolve.  We acknowledge that the wigwam is a place dedicated to higher learning therefore must be treated with respect.

The philosophy from our Elders provided a foundation for Native Human Services and we respect the vision and creativity of those who contributed to its early curriculum