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

 

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

About OASW
OASW is the voice of social work in Ontario. It is a voluntary, bilingual, non-profit association representing 8,250+ social workers. All members have a university degree in social work at the bachelor, master or doctoral level. OASW works to actively speak on behalf of social workers on issues of interest to the profession and advocates for the improvement of social policies and programs directly affecting social work practice and client groups served.