What is not acceptable is for non- Native individuals who have only superficial knowledge of Native culture, or no knowledge at all, to act as counsellors for First Nations students and their families. The effective First Nation counsellor understands that there is no generic Native person. The uniqueness of the individual student apart from culturally-defined differences. Keen knowledge about, and awareness of, cultural diversity exhibited by First Nations students enables counsellors to respond to actual, rather than assumed needs. The Importance of Relationship Counsellor training of any kind emphasizes the need for good relationships between counsellors and students.
Relationship is doubly important in working with Native students.
First Nations culture places great value on relationships in the family, the clan, the community, between people and nature, and between individuals. Trust is even more critical in First Nations counselling than in counselling with majority society students. Again this means establishing initial relationships through community activities, in the hall at school and through integrated cultural awareness activities. Students Effective counsellors of First Nations students must be knowledgeable about a wide range of issues that may impinge upon First Nation students in negative ways. Adjusting to teacher expectations and discordant learning styles.