Become part of a community of certified Wîwîp’son practitioners.
Our apprenticeship program
This training program is set in Iyiniw (Indigenous) ways of learning, doing and being. As such, the modules will be ceremonially and spiritually rigorous rather than academically rigorous. As a wîwîp’son healing practitioner, participants/apprentices are expected to be open to personal and professional development, and traditional Nehiyaw (Cree) ceremony. The personal and professional growth of the practitioner will ensure safe, and confident care of people who come to them for healing. Personal development is just as important as professional development in this program.
Apprentices/Participants will be studying within a cohort. Learning will be grounded in Iyiniw ceremony, sixteen Cree natural laws including the seven sacred grandfather teachings. These laws are the guiding principles of this training.
The Wîwîp’son Healing Apprenticeship Training Program is four years in length.
Apprentices will have four learning modules per year during each of the Canadian seasons (summer, fall, winter, spring), meeting for four (4) days each time. In addition to the 4 modules, there will be an opportunity for each participant to apprentice with Dr. Darlene Auger, for a day or two at one of her work sites.
It is imperative that apprentices attend every class in every module over the four years to receive their certification. Missed classes & modules will have to be made up within the next cohort, delaying certification.
Please note that his program has yearly tuition fees to cover the cost sof facilitation/knowledge transfer. Participants have a variety of grants and funding opportunities to support the costs associated with this program. Please contact us for more information.
“This program reflects my commitment to uplifting our people, strengthening our communities, and honouring where I come from while walking a path grounded in culture, leadership, and collective wellbeing.” G. Dion. Apprentice
Year 1— Co-creating our Circle
Winter-Opening the Circle
Participants will get an opportunity to connect as a cohort, get to know one another, the program Elders and explore their spiritual, emotional and mental motivation to pursue this training. Introduction to Dr. Auger’s vision and work.
Spring-Ceremonial Fast
Participants will partake in a traditional 4-day Fasting Ceremony under the guidance of local Elders.
Summer- Grandmother teachings
Participants will start learning Grandmother’s Helpers Directions and songs in the Cree Language. Wîwîp’son Teachings & traditional Stories.
Fall-Cultural Exchange
Participants will travel to a different region in order to learn from other Nations and share teachings. Continue learning Wîwîp’son teachings.
Year 2 —Building a solid foundation
Winter-The vision
Continue learning Grandmother Helpers Directions, songs and introduction to Dr. Auger’s vision and life work. Work on a personal creation of the teachings shared.
Introduction to research on Wîwîp’son work and its impact on the brain.
Summer-Iyiniw Ethics
Participants will continue practicing previous teachings. Teaching on Cree Natural Law. Overview of the 16 laws and ethics of Wîwîp’son Healing Practitioners Apprenticeship Program. Notions of relational psychology.
Spring-Ceremonial Fast
Participants will take part in a spiritual Fast for four days to acquire blessings to become a healthy helper and to acquire blessings and gifts from the grandmother who holds the swing bundle.
Fall-Trauma Informed Practice
Participants will learn about trauma-informed practice, somatic practice and spiritual psychology.
Participants will have a chance to practice offering Wîwîp’son healing sessions to community under the guidance of Dr. Auger.
Year 3 — Wîwîp’son in practice
Winter-Self Awareness
Participants will learn about the 44 Cree natural laws, Wîwîp’son values and Ethics. They will continue learning about Dr. Auger’s vision and learn about traditional child-rearing practices.
Sharing circles on trauma-informed practice and the impact of colonization.
Spring- Ceremonial Fast
Participants will take part in a spiritual Fast for four days to acquire blessings to become a healthy helper and to acquire blessings and gifts from the grandmother who holds the swing bundle.
Summer-Science at work
Participants will learn about research findings on Wîwîp’son; other motion and nurturing therapies. Teachings on the Vagus Nerve, neurobiology and how it connects to Wîwîp’son healing.
Participants will have an opportunity to practice in several communities.
Fall- Practicum
Participants will practice Wîwîp’son healing with community members.
Debriefing and sharing Circles with other practitioners.
Year 4 — Moving Forward
Summer-Practicum
Participants will share songs, prayer and offer Wîwîp’son sessions in community.
Spring- Ceremonial Fast
Participants will take part in a spiritual Fast for four days to acquire blessings to become a healthy helper and to acquire blessings and gifts from the Grandmother who holds the swing bundle.
Fall-Ethics and practice
Ethical and Spiritual care of Wîwîpson work and managing your practice. Membership in the Wîwîpson Healing Practitioners Association.
Participants will share songs, prayer and offer Wîwîp’son session in community.
Winter-Bundle Transfer
Participants will receive their Wîwîp’son Bundles. Knowledge transfer on remuneration and ethical business management BM101.
Feast and Celebration of completion of program with families and communities.
Ready to get started?
Request more informaiton
Please make sure to include you name and any questions you might have. We might take a few days ot get back to you!
Fill our application form!
Next Cohort starts in 2028!
Once you have filled the basic application package you will be require to submit additional documents