General Information:

Nechi Institute offers in-house and off-site training programs in the following areas: Addictions Counselling, Program Management, Training of Trainers (TOT), Aboriginal Addictions Services Certificate (AASC), Community Wellness Certificate (CWC) and Aboriginal Addictions Services Diploma (AASD). Also offered are several five-day workshops. These include: Family Violence, Adult Children of Alcoholics and Problem Gambling workshops. We also facilitate community development workshops and contracted training projects in all Provinces and Territories of Canada.

Nechi also offers Cultural/Traditional Awareness Training, Retreats, and the rental of some of our shared building facilities, such as the training rooms, cafeteria, dorms, and gym, for conferences and workshops. Contact the Contract Training Coordinator, Linda Perderson for more information and to inquire about facility rental fees.

When attending in-house training programs at our Centre in St. Albert, students reside in the Centre during the period of their training. Our dormitory can accommodate 40 students.

An annual scholarship is offered to international students. We have trained students from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Central America, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Aboriginal culture and traditional values are incorporated into all programs; hence the daily training session opens with a Sweetgrass Ceremony, prayer and/or a handshake circle. Students are encouraged, but not obligated, to attend prayers and ceremonies.

Course objectives and pre-requisites can be found on subsequent pages. AASC, AASD and CWC are accredited through Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and are recognized as full-time study by Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development.

Experiential Learning Model:

Nechi Institute uses the Experiential Learning Model which facilitates learning by doing. Courses in each series are comprised of structured exercises, large group work, small group work, individual work, brainstorming sessions, support groups, energizers and role plays. Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of training in order to gain practical experience. Students are required to complete a written assessment at the end of each workshop.

Training Requirements:

A minimum period of one (1) year sobriety is a requirement for all persons with a history of substance abuse. All students must abstain from the use of mood-altering substances while attending training at the Nechi Institute. We ask the continued attention of sponsoring agencies to this most important criteria. Our concern for those students sponsored with less than the minimum required period of sobriety is that he/she might be more in need of treatment than of training. Thus, we would not be able to meet our goals or that of the sponsoring agency to train addictions counsellors.

All students are required to abide by the Nechi Guidelines and Ground Rules while in training.

Student Assistance Program:

Nechi Institute offers a Student Assistance Program, which is similar to an Employee Assistance Program. Some participants may experience difficulty coping with new awareness which may arise in training. Nechi Institute will refer our students to counselling, therapy or support groups.

Training Programs & Paths to Post Secondary Credit Transfer & Post-Diploma Articulation Agreements:

Download PDF Version Here

Registration Regulations:

A completed student program registration form followed by an application form are to be mailed to the Nechi Institute. The application form must be signed by the Director or designate of the sponsoring agency. Notification of acceptance will be mailed to the student and sponsoring agency.

Application forms which are not fully completed will be returned and will not receive consideration until corrections are resubmitted.

The first course of the CAT Series (Orientation and Communication) is a pre-requisite for attendance in the following seven (7) courses.

Completion of the CAT Series is a pre-requisite to admission in the ACT Series.

The ACT Series is a pre-requisite for the AASC.

Fees are payable to the Nechi Institute and are due prior to the first day of the program. In special circumstances, payment schedules may be individually negotiated.

Students who are employed by AADAC and Alberta NNADAP- funded agencies are exempt from tuition in the following programs: CAT, ACT, and PM. Some one-week workshops are also included in this exemption.

Training Of Trainers, Community Wellness Certificate and Aboriginal Addictions Services Diploma are not funded by AADAC and Alberta NNADAP-funded agencies. All students are required to pay tuition fees.

Students who are not sponsored by their employer will be required to pay tuition, book fee and a registration fee, if applicable. Tuition includes accommodation and meals during the training week.

Training is delivered one week every month to allow the student time to integrate their new knowledge and skills as well as ease scheduling difficulties for their employers.

Nechi does not arrange practicum placement or employment.

Training Application:

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Operational Requirements/Guidelines

Training Application - pdf

To request further information regarding Nechi Training you may contact us at 1-800-459-1884 or email us