OASW Celebrates and Honours National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month

June 21, 2023

On National Indigenous Peoples Day and throughout National Indigenous History Month, OASW celebrates and honours the history, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Today and throughout June, we celebrate the countless achievements of Indigenous people in areas such as medicine, art, business, politics, sports and education. Many of these achievements have been hidden or erased through the process of colonization, including the influence of Indigenous systems of governance on the development of Canada’s democracy. It is important to educate ourselves about these invaluable contributions to better understand how they have enhanced and shaped our past and current political, social, economic and cultural landscape.

National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month are also opportunities for us to reflect on our collective history and to renew our shared responsibility in advancing truth and reconciliation. As a profession, this includes learning about the historical trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples, the harm caused by the residential schools and child welfare systems, and the ways in which social work was and continues to be complicit in attacking systems of Indigenous culture, knowledge and tradition. Acknowledging and learning from our colonial history is critical to developing more positive and respectful relationships and advancing the process of reconciliation.

We encourage our members to actively participate in celebrations during National Indigenous Peoples Day and National Indigenous History Month. Most importantly, we encourage you to celebrate and honour Indigenous people and continually engage in ongoing learning to support critical reflection, understanding and action on reconciliation.

Celebrate, Learn and Reflect:

• Webinar: Indigenous Expressive Arts in Practice, presented by the OASW Learning Centre and Lori Flinders-McMillan, MSW, RSW 

• Webinar: Intergenerational Trauma, presented by the OASW Learning Centre and Albert Doxtator, IKSSW

• Webinar: Building Relations in "Good Way" With Indigenous Peoples and Communities, presented by the OASW Learning Centre and Julia Janes

• OASW Land Acknowledgement Guide: We are pleased to share a guide to assist in developing personalized land acknowledgments as one means to support continued action on reconciliation

• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers: Indigenous Resources page

• Canadian Association of Social Workers: Reconciliation Hub 

• Government of Canada: Learn more about National Indigenous People Day and National Indigenous History Month, including events in your area

• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act