Description

Clinicians, practitioners and service providers working with children, youth and families who work from strengths-based, anti-oppressive and evidence-based models, might feel that these approaches would be beneficial for helping and healing Indigenous individuals, families and communities. But these are Western models based on worldviews that may not be shared by Indigenous Peoples. Helpers must consistently ask themselves if their practices are appropriate for the local Indigenous communities they work with. To begin with, they must be willing to look at the world through an Indigenous lens and consider the values, ethics and spirituality, as well as the impact of colonization and its resulting racist, structural barriers.

This workshop will explore how helpers with differing world-views can work together. Some questions to be considered are:

• In what ways can the helping professions begin to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action
• What is a holistic, community-based approach to working with Indigenous Peoples and communities?
• How do we implement cultural safety within the helping professions for Indigenous individuals, families and communities?
• How can Indigenous and Western approaches to healing work together?

Outcomes

1. 1. Understand that the impacts of colonization are at the root of Indigenous Peoples’ trauma.
   2. Describe the helping and healing practices that have been proven to assist Indigenous Peoples to work through trauma.
   3. Identify culturally safe practices and contrast with theories of cultural competency, cultural awareness and sensitivity.
   4. Examine ways that Indigenous and Western approaches can be combined together.
   5. Consider how Indigenous knowledges can inform the healing processes of non-Indigenous people.