Aboriginal helping

Question 1

What are the major principles of an Aboriginal world view regarding helping? (C)

Answer 1

• does not conform to any sort of charity model
• community based
• non-colonial modes of education and participation, non-hierarchal (sit in a circle, do not assume the authority position)
• integrating a variety of different cultures

Question 2

Describe the ongoing effects of residential schools:

Answer 2

-distinctive indigenous approach was required but the provincial system did not foster it
-Intergenerational trauma
-Disrupted child-parent bonds caused by past assimilation practices
Robbed generations of indigenous language / heritage / history / cultural identity

Question 3

What are ways that social workers can do to overcome these effects?

Answer 3

• VALIDATING grief/loss
• how to better connect to aboriginal youth/families: access traditional practices/community that has access to language
• recognition of social work’s role in trauma

Question 4

What can we do to heal? (Tion)

Answer 4

• ACKNOWLEDGE, address past injustices, heal, reconcile, relate
• Reconciliation in child welfare: self determination, holistic approach, culture, language,
• RECOGNITION aboriginal worldview, understand impact of colonialism, cultural traditions, principle of empowerment

Question 5

What are 4 key principles of aboriginal social work practice: (REEC)

Answer 5

1) recognize distinct worldview
2) emphasis on importance of aboriginal consciousness and impact of colonialism
3) use of aboriginal empowerment
4) different conceptions of family/community: do not follow the nuclear family approach- ab commnities have multiple roles and contributions