Indigenous Sexual and Reproductive Health Support Worker Certificate (IRWC) – Northern Campus

Indigenous Sexual and Reproductive Health Support Worker Certificate (IRWC) – Northern Campus

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Support Worker Certificate starts January 6, 2026.

This program is unique and one of a kind in Canada. The program differs from other available Sexual & Reproductive Health courses by bringing Indigenous perspectives to the forefront. It is the only course created in collaboration with Indigenous communities at every point in the process. These courses utilize a Two-Spirit lens for a fully integrated and inclusive information-sharing process.

The practicum portion of this program runs over six weeks from May to June 2026.

Students who have already taken INHS 100 and 200 will only need to take INHS 130 and 135. Students interested in working towards a wāsākāmā Support Worker diploma must take two additional University credit courses (see program details).

The program intends to:

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Support Worker Certification (IRSW) program augments the current Indigenous Birth Support Worker (IBWC) Certificate and the Indigenous End-of-Life Support Worker Certificate (ELSW) programs. The ELSW program begins in July 2026 and ends with a two-month practicum from November to December 2026.

IRSW classes start January 6, 2026, in-person or remotely (videoconference) as follows:

Sexual and Reproductive Health Support Worker:

• INHS 135: 11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Tuesdays
• INHS 130: 2:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays
• INHS 200: 2:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays
• INHS 100: 5:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
• INHS 139: Six (6) Week Practicum – relocation may be necessary for two (2) weeks

Indigenous Birth Support Worker:

• INHS 200: 2:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays
• INHS 100: 5:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
• INHS 140: 8:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Thursdays
• INHS 145: 11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Thursdays
• INHS 149: Six (6) Week Practicum – relocation necessary for two (2) weeks

Application Deadline:

Indigenous Sexual and Reproductive Health Support Worker Certificate (IRWC) Brochure

Short Term Goal

• To provide community-developed, strengths-based, trauma-and-violence-informed courses and an academic certificate program to support Indigenous education in sexual and reproductive health supportive care. 

Long Term Goals

• To support the growth of the IBWC program at FNUniv.
• To contribute to the development of a wāsākāmā: Make a Circle diploma program through FNUniv.

Program Delivery

• Four classes are face-to-face, remotely, or asynchronously during the academic year.
• The practicum course will be offered tentatively in the Spring term. Students can study from home until the practicum; however, students will need to relocate for part of the practicum.

Pace – Student have the option to take this program:

• Casually over two to four years
• Full-time from January to June
• Part-time September to June