Programs & Trainings

YukonU Community Safety Guardian (CSG) Training Program

YukonU Community Safety Guardian (CSG) Training Program

A part-time training program

Programs & Trainings

YukonU Community Safety Guardian (CSG) Training Program

A part-time training program

What is it?

A part-time training program for Community Safety Guardians/Officers —local people, employed by First Nations, who help keep communities safe through prevention, healing, and culturally respectful support. The goal is to build local capacity for safety and wellness in First Nation communities. Guardians learn how to de-escalate conflicts, support people in crisis, and connect community members with help, all while respecting cultural traditions and community values.

01. Trauma-Informed Care

Retro Section Separator

Understanding how trauma affects people and learning to support someone who is struggling in a kind, patient way. Crisis Response training for harm reduction through trauma-informed care.

02. Conflict De-Escalation

Retro Section Separator

How to calmly defuse arguments and tense situations without using force.

03. First Aid & Emergencies

Retro Section Separator

Remote First Aid, CPR, Search & Rescue, and how to respond to overdoses (official First Aid/CPR and naloxone training certificates).

04. Cultural Safety

Retro Section Separator

Learning about Indigenous laws, traditions, and protocols –and how to use that knowledge to help your community (with guidance from Elders).

05. Law and Ethics

Retro Section Separator

Knowing the basics about legal rights, territorial and federal laws, rules for evidence, note taking, and supporting investigations; and what you can or cannot do as a Community Guardian. Emphasis on respecting privacy and acting professionally.

06. Getting People Help

Retro Section Separator

How to connect community members with services like counseling, treatment programs, or elders – and making sure they don’t fall through the cracks. This includes learning how to keep notes and follow up in a confidential, respectful way.

01. Trauma-Informed Care

Retro Section Separator

Understanding how trauma affects people and learning to support someone who is struggling in a kind, patient way. Crisis Response training for harm reduction through trauma-informed care.

02. Conflict De-Escalation

Retro Section Separator

How to calmly defuse arguments and tense situations without using force.

03.
First Aid & Emergencies

Retro Section Separator

Remote First Aid, CPR, Search & Rescue, and how to respond to overdoses (official First Aid/CPR and naloxone training certificates).

04. Cultural Safety

Retro Section Separator

Learning about Indigenous laws, traditions, and protocols –and how to use that knowledge to help your community (with guidance from Elders).

05.
Law and Ethics

Retro Section Separator

Knowing the basics about legal rights, territorial and federal laws, rules for evidence, note taking, and supporting investigations; and what you can or cannot do as a Community Guardian. Emphasis on respecting privacy and acting professionally.

06. Getting People Help

Retro Section Separator

How to connect community members with services like counseling, treatment programs, or elders – and making sure they don’t fall through the cracks. This includes learning how to keep notes and follow up in a confidential, respectful way.

Benefits of the Program

For Participants

  • Gain confidence, skills and up to 10 certifications (like Remote First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, CPR, and overdose response). You become part of a Guardian network across different communities, learning together and supporting each other.

For Communities

  • Trained Guardians can prevent crises and reduce harm. They provide a familiar, trusted presence that community members can turn to. Consistency in training supports program delivery mandates –ensuring that irrespective of turnover, new staff are equipped with the same foundational skills to fulfil the program’s intentions. Over time this helps make the community safer, stronger, and more connected. It also means the community has its own people ready to respond to issues, rather than relying only on outside authorities.

Over time this helps make the community safer, stronger, and more connected. It also means the community has its own people ready to respond to issues, rather than relying only on outside authorities.

Benefits
of the Program

For Participants

  • Gain confidence, skills and up to 10 certifications (like Remote First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, CPR, and overdose response). You become part of a Guardian network across different communities, learning together and supporting each other.

For Communities

  • Trained Guardians can prevent crises and reduce harm. They provide a familiar, trusted presence that community members can turn to. Consistency in training supports program delivery mandates –ensuring that irrespective of turnover, new staff are equipped with the same foundational skills to fulfil the program’s intentions. Over time this helps make the community safer, stronger, and more connected. It also means the community has its own people ready to respond to issues, rather than relying only on outside authorities.

Over time this helps make the community safer, stronger, and more connected. It also means the community has its own people ready to respond to issues, rather than relying only on outside authorities.

Who Can Join?

By Nomination Only. By Nomination Only.By Nomination Only. This program is not open for public sign-up. Participants must be nominated by their First Nation or Indigenous community. Typically, communities will nominate people who are already or will soon be working in a community safety, security, or wellness role (e.g. local safety officers, guardian program staff, or other frontline workers). If you’re interested, talk to your Chief and Council or community safety program about being nominated.

How to Nominate Someone

  • If your First Nation has a Community Safety Officer, Guardian, or similar program, leaders can refer a member (or a few) for this training.
    Interested leaders: please contact the program organizers at Yukon University to discuss your nominees and reserve spots. Interested individuals: speak with your local leadership if you’d like to be considered.

Cost

  • Tuition is $7,500 per participant (please note this amount does not include participant travel, per diems or any accommodation costs). Nations will be responsible for covering travel and accommodation expenses for participants; however, the program team will support arrangements as needed. We are working to secure tuition reimbursements for Nations that face financial barriers to participation. Please reach out to us to learn more.

Location

  • This initial program will take place predominantly in Whitehorse, with a week in the community of Mayo. Future program offerings will aim to rotate through different communities in Yukon and Northern BC that are participating. This way, each participating community has an opportunity to host part of the training, and everyone gets to experience learning in different local contexts.

Duration

  • 6 months total – with one week of training per month. (Between training weeks, participants go back home to their jobs and families.)

Schedule

  • One-week training sessions are held monthly. The first session starts September 22, 2025, and the program runs through the fall and winter 25/26
    (exact dates to be confirmed before August).

Cohort Size

  • Up to 20 students from across the Yukon and Northern BC that are employed by their First Nations in Community Safety or Wellness programs or portfolios.

Start Date

  • September 22, 2025 start. Now is the time for communities to pick who they want to send to the fall cohort.

Cultural Approach

  • Elders and Knowledge Keepers are involved in every session. Training includes cultural teachings (history, language, traditional laws) and even land-based activities. This ensures the program is rooted in Indigenous culture and values, and that Guardians learn in a way that honours their heritage.

Contact for More Information

We are happy to answer any questions about the program details, schedule, support for funding, or the nomination process. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

Gina Nagano
House of Wolf & Associates
Program Co-Lead
(867) 334-7609 | gina@houseofwolf.ca

Patrick Rouble
Yukon University
Department Head, Continuing Ed
(867) 333-9831 | prouble@yukonu.ca

Contact for More Information

We are happy to answer any questions about the program details, schedule, support for funding, or the nomination process. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

Gina Nagano
House of Wolf & Associates
Program Co-Lead
(867) 334-7609 | gina@houseofwolf.ca

Patrick Rouble
Yukon University
Department Head, Continuing Ed
(867) 333-9831 | prouble@yukonu.ca

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