Letter to the Editor - "Indigenous Social Work Students Hope to Deliver Culturally-Sensitive Services" Erin McManus ISWK 1007EL 12 Professor Frankie Misner March 4, 2022.
To the attention of the editor, The article written by Vanessa Balintec regarding the necessity of Indigenous representation within social work practices was a poignant and essential take on how the children and youth of these communities are overlooked and mistreated within the system due to ignorance and lack of services outfitted to their culture. This article accurately portrays how fundamental having social workers who understand the importance of Indigenous history, traditions, and their livelihood is to the success of social work programs. It highlights the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the care of the province and speaks on the work prevention systems can do with the help of federal funding to implement culturally sensitive and inclusive social work programs. Canadian history is engrained with abusive assimilation policies which have resulted in intergenerational trauma that is reflected in the overpopulation of Indigenous children within the welfare system. Through cultural imperialism, the Indigenous community are oppressed within the social work structures as systemic racism has created programs that universalize the experience of a Westernized society and neglect to acknowledge cultural differences (Mullaly, 2007). The members of these communities are then labeled as deviant and inferior within the system and they are forced to view themselves and their struggles through the perspective of the dominant group (Mullaly, 2007). The lack of Indigenous understanding, traditional spirituality, and culture within social work programs leads to the mainstream workers having little to no knowledge of the community, the individuals, or intergenerational trauma (Balintec, 2021). Improving the health of Indigenous Peoples, including their physical, mental, and spiritual health involves a doctor, case worker, or individual providing the aid to take a holistic approach that covers a wide spectrum of interventions. If the understanding of one's cultural background is not understood then the individual is more susceptible to issues of cultural safety and non-compliance (Battiste & Youngblood Henderson,
2012). Effecting positive health outcomes of Indigenous Peoples is dependent on the success of knowledge and traditional healing practices (Misner, 2022). This is now becoming a recognized movement by the Canadian government who are adopting public health preventions, promotion programs and interventions that are reflective of Indigenous knowledge, values, and principles (Misner, 2022). The implementation of this Indigenous curriculum and understanding into social work programs, coupled with an increase of Indigenous social workers can foster and promote a healthier environment for Indigenous community members to prosper with the services offered. Overall, the article provided a community centred approach to social work practices in Canada while advocating for Indigenous voices in program structuring to ensure cultural sensitivity and success for Indigenous Peoples.