Assignment:

Topic : Social Service Work with Indigenous Peoples in Canada

• Identify and assess the impact of trauma and colonization for Indigenous peoples in Canada today.
• Utilize trauma-informed practices when working with Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Identify culturally safe practices when offering social service provisions to Indigenous/FNMI communities.
• Identify and challenge unjust practices in local and global systems. (GCE Outcome)

Questions:

1. Provide one clear example of the historical (and continued) impact of colonialism on

Indigenous individuals, families, and/or communities.

2. What was the role of social work within this context?

3. Identify the impacts of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous Peoples as a result of these encounters.

Case study

Read the following case study and answer the questions below in response:

You are a case manager at an urban Indigenous social service agency in Toronto. You are meeting with a client who is mandated to work with you by a child welfare worker. Your community member`s (client) name is Carrie; she is a 36-year-old woman and mother who identifies as Indigenous but does not know her lineage because she was taken and placed in childcare from the ages of 4 to 18. Carrie has been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and has communicated to her counsellor that she is remembering things from her childhood that is causing her to self-medicate with alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Carrie recently used cocaine and disappeared from her home for 3 days, leaving her 13-year-old daughter to care for her 5 and 3-year-old siblings. A call to child welfare was made by a neighbor and the children were removed from Carrie`s care. Carrie needs support in complying with the child welfare worker, addressing her addiction and her recent eviction notice.

Questions:

1. Why is an understanding of the legacy of colonialism important for social service work practice with Carrie today? Provide examples to support your answer.

2. How would you apply trauma-informed, culturally safe, and/or Indigenous approaches to relationship building and healing when working with Carrie? Identify two practices/strategies you would use and explain the significance of each.

3. How does your understanding of the history and reputation of social work with Indigenous Peoples influence how you approach your practice with Carrie?

4. How will you work towards reconciliation with Carrie and other Indigenous Peoples as an emerging social service worker? Provide examples to support your answer.