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

On National Indigenous Peoples Day and throughout the month of June, OASW celebrates and honours the history and diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

The month of June provides an important opportunity to learn about the historical and current experiences of Indigenous Peoples. Doing so recognizes the resilience, resistance, and strength of Indigenous Peoples, while increasing understanding of the true impacts of colonization.

Indigenous Peoples are actively engaged in reclamation, revitalization, and reconciliation of language, tradition, culture, and ceremony, including traditional forms of art. Within the context of truth and reconciliation, art has the power to deepen understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and open important dialogue on our shared history.

OASW has collaborated with Katie Longboat, a Mohawk and Cree beadwork artist originally from Six Nations of the Grand River, to create and showcase a series of original pieces of beaded artwork, one of which is pictured above. Inspired by the concept of “moving forward together” and OASW’s values of equity integration, these pieces are intended to serve as an enduring visual reminder and catalyst for critical reflection and conversation on the importance of truth and reconciliation.

We encourage all social workers to engage in continuous learning about Indigenous history and culture and as an Association, and we remain committed to providing you with resources and opportunities to do so.

Celebrate, Learn and Reflect

• June 28, 2022: The Beads and Stories that Bind: Engaging in the Art of Reconciliation – Artist Talk with Katie Longboat, presented by the Ontario Association of Social Workers

• June 30, 2022: Introducing a New Indigenous Adapted CBT Model: Mikwendaagwad Sacred Circle CBT – Presented by the OASW Learning Centre and Charity Fleming, MSW, RSW

• July 12 & 13, 2022: Inuit Cultural Sensitivity: Part 1 and Part 2 – Presented by the OASW Learning Centre and Tauni Sheldon & Paige Kreps

• On-Demand Webinar: Decolonizing Social Work – Presented by the OASW Learning Centre and Giselle Dias, MSW, RSW

• Canadian Association of Social Workers – Reconciliation Hub

• Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers – Ethical and Competent Responses to Anti-Indigenous Racism: A Conversation with Cheryl McPherson, RSW

• Circles for Reconciliation – Learn more about circles in your community

• 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 the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples