Confederation College’s Native Child and Family Services program will now be known as Onajigawin Indigenous Services.

The previous program began review in 2019, and had strong input from the individuals and groups within Thunder Bay.

President Kathleen Lynch said Wednesday the extensive consultation has resulted in a program that will greatly benefit students.

“We changed the curriculum to acknowledge what the community needs, to partner better with the community, and to focus on what they tell us our grads need to be doing once they graduate,” confirmed Lynch.

The new name for the program was provided by Elder Sam Achneepineskum of Marten Falls First Nation, who mentioned it is important that youth are learning more about the Indigenous community.

“I think young people are waking up, they want to learn about our culture, they want to learn about our history, and I think that’s good,” said Acneepineskum, “Old people like me are getting up their in years and I think it’s time to step aside and let the young people run with it now. If you want to know where you’re going you need to know where you’ve been, and why things are the way they are to make changes.”

The new program has a strong focus on decolonization, and will provide students with the skills needed to be effective helpers in various sectors.

The first class of students for this program will be welcomed in Fall 2021.