4.5 Indigenous Case Management
Decolonizing Community
Topics:
- What Is Decolonization? Why Does It Matter?
- Indigenization
1. WHAT IS DECOLONIZATION? WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Pulling Together: A Guide for Front-Line Staff, Student Services, and Advisors by Ian Cull; Robert L. A. Hancock; Stephanie McKeown; Michelle Pidgeon; and Adrienne Vedan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
If we want to challenge social injustice and contribute to systemic change, we need to understand and integrate concepts of decolonization and Indigenization in community practice in an intentional and ongoing way.
Decolonization is the process of deconstructing colonial ideologies that claim the superiority and privilege of Western thought and approaches (Cull et al., 2018). On the one hand, decolonization involves dismantling structures that perpetuate the status quo and address unbalanced power dynamics. On the other hand, decolonization involves valuing and revitalizing Indigenous knowledges and approaches, and challenging settler biases and assumptions that have impacted Indigenous ways of being (Cull et al., 2018).
“Decolonization doesn’t have a synonym” (Tuck & Yang, 2012, p. 3). While unquestionably connected to human rights and social justice, it is not a substitute for these concepts (Ritskes, 2012). Specifically, decolonizing demands a centering of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, Indigenous Land, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Video: DECOLONIZED EDUCATION EXPLAINED IN SIMPLE TERMS By: Real Talk. “There is no discipline that is immune from this call of decolonisation” Dr Lwazi Lushaba
Transcript
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The physical and mental aspects of decolonization apply equally to Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities (Gray, Coates, Yellow Bird, & Hetherington, 2016).
For non-Indigenous people, decolonization is the process of critically examining your beliefs about Indigenous Peoples and cultures by learning about yourself in relationship to the Land and communities where you live and the people with whom you interact.
We work in systems that perpetuate colonial ideals and privilege Western ways of being and doing. For example, many community services use forms and procedures instead of first initiating relationships with community members. This is a colonial process that tends to create environments of exclusion rather than inclusion.
Q – What other community practices and approaches can you think of that are rooted in colonial ways of thinking and doing?
Decolonization is an ongoing process that requires all of us to be collectively involved and responsible. Decolonizing our institutions means we create spaces that are inclusive, respectful, and honour Indigenous Peoples.
(Adapted from Decolonization and Indigenization)
Video: Ted Talk – Decolonization is for Everyone. “This history is not your fault, but it is absolutely your responsibility.” A history of colonization exists and persists all around us. Nikki discusses what colonization looks like and how it can be addressed through decolonization. An equitable and just future depends on the courage we show today. “Let’s make our grandchildren proud”.
Transcript
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SOURCE: YOUTUBE, HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/QP9X1NNCWNY
2. Indigenization
Pulling Together: A Guide for Front-Line Staff, Student Services, and Advisors by Ian Cull; Robert L. A. Hancock; Stephanie McKeown; Michelle Pidgeon; and Adrienne Vedan is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Indigenization is a collaborative process of naturalizing Indigenous intent, interactions, and processes and making them evident to transform spaces, places, and hearts. In the context of community development practice, this involves including Indigenous perspectives and approaches to the benefit of all community members (Cull et al., 2018)
Indigenization seeks a fundamental shift in the ways that communities:
- Include Indigenous perspectives, values, and cultural understandings in daily practices
- Position Indigenous ways of knowing at the heart of community development work
- Integrate cultural protocols and practices in the operations of our organizations
Indigenization values sustainable and respectful relationships with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities, Elders, and organizations. When Indigenization is practiced at the community level, Indigenous Peoples see themselves represented, respected, and valued and all community members benefit. We all gain a richer understanding of the world and of our specific location in the world through an awareness of Indigenous knowledges and perspectives. Indigenization also contributes to a more just world, creating a shared understanding that opens the way toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. It also counters the impacts of colonization by upending a system of thinking that has typically discounted Indigenous knowledge and history.
Indigenization, like decolonization, is an ongoing process, one that will shape and evolve over time.
Starting With Ourselves: Good Intentions Are Not Enough
Good intentions are not enough for community development work. Our work must be grounded in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonizing practices and relations; otherwise, we risk repeating harmful mistakes of the past.
It is our responsibility to question the ways in which we show up in communities, the space we take up, the power and privilege we have been afforded, and how we (knowingly or unknowingly) perpetuate systemic oppressions and settler-colonialism while engaged in community work.
Reflection Questions:
If you are a settler on this Land, it is your responsibility to reflect on how you have benefitted (and continue to benefit from) the ongoing devastation and genocide of Indigenous Peoples as a result of colonialism. How have you been complicit in upholding these colonial systems of oppression? Who are you accountable to?
A Shift In Perspective and Power
Indigenous Worldviews on working with communities are valuable for all community and social service workers. Decolonizing our practice requires an ongoing commitment to learning and unlearning; to critical thinking; and to inviting uncomfortable questions that interrogate and challenge accepted knowledge and ways of thinking.
Decolonizing community practice requires an intentional shift in perspective and power from working for a community to working with a community.
“If you come here to help me, you’re wasting your time. If you come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” – Lilla Watson
As outlined in the Seven Sacred Teachings, the value of humility is critical in reminding us that we are merely one small piece of the bigger puzzle. Nobody is an expert on other people’s lives. Adopting a stance of “not-knowing”, humility, openness, and curiosity, together with a willingness to be held accountable by the communities we serve, are key ingredients for this work.
Change does not happen overnight. Social change takes intentional, ongoing, consistent actions from individuals, groups, and communities. We must look to – and listen to – Indigenous Peoples throughout the process.
Taking Action
We would like to acknowledge that this resource would not have been possible without the work of Indigenous scholars, who have been researching and writing in this field for decades.
When learning about settler colonialism and working in communities:
- Do not act out of guilt, but rather out of a genuine interest in challenging the larger oppressive power structures.
- Understand that [you] are secondary to the Indigenous Peoples that [you] are working with and that [you] seek to serve. [You] and [your] needs must take a back seat;
– Lynn Gehl, “My Ally Bill of Responsibilities.” - Accept that you will make mistakes and upset people as you learn.
- Take responsibility for your own learning. Where do you live? Whose Land are you on? Are you on unceded Land? Are you on Treaty Land? Learn what your responsibilities are and how you can act in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples in your community.
Some preliminary steps for settlers in decolonizing community development practice can be found here at the Community Development Learning Initiative.
To get started with your (un)learning journey, check out this database of anti-racism and decolonization resources.
For More Information:
Seven Sacred Teachings
Video: Indigenous Education & Services: Seven Grandfather Teachings By: George Brown College. Learn about the Seven Grandfather Teachings, also known as the Seven Sacred Teachings, from Indigenous Counsellor and Professor Bob Whiteduck Crawford
Transcript
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Indigenous Case Management Model: Adapting Housing First for Youth for Indigenous Youth (HF4Y)
Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Demonstration Lab (MtS DEMS) is a collaborative project working to develop and test approaches to support the prevention of and facilitate sustainable exits from homelessness. It is a joint endeavour co-led by A Way Home Canada (AWHC) and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH) with support from MaRS Centre for Impact Investing. (Indigenous Case Management Model: Adapting Housing First for Youth for Indigenous Youth (HF4Y), 2021).
In this video, Sheryl Green from HRIC showcases how to use the Indigenous case management model developed by Endaayaang.
Indigenous Case Management Model
Video: Indigenous Case Management Model: Adapting Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) for Indigenous Youth by Homeless Hub. Learn how to use the Indigenous case management model developed by the Endaayaang Housing First for Youth Project (HF4Y) in Hamilton, ON to help adapt HF4Y for Indigenous youth.
Transcript
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To Explore Further:
Elders
What is an Elder? The term Elder “refers to someone who has attained a high degree of understanding of First Nation, Métis, or Inuit history, traditional teachings, ceremonies, and healing practices” (University of Toronto, 2019, para. 1) and is not defined by their age. Elders do not belong to just one family, they are part of the community, and respect should be given to Elders from all, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Elders have a revered place among Indigenous communities in Canada. “Elders were the carriers of knowledge of both physical and spiritual reality and that they have been educated through the oral tradition” (Marsh et al., 2015, para. 7). The role of Elders in Indigenous communities cannot be stressed enough. They are the keepers of knowledge and are honoured and respected. Please watch the video below to deepen your understanding of Elders.
The Elders: Getting to know some of the most honoured members of First Nation communities. By: CBC News. Elders from Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqi and Peskotomuhkati communities shared their stories for this five-part weekly series
Transcript
To Access the Video Transcript:
1. Click on “YouTube” on the bottom-right of the video. This will take you directly to the YouTube video.
2. Click on the More Actions icon (represented by three horizontal dots)
3. Click on “Open Transcript”
Land Based Treatment
Nature is a powerful force and how we engage with nature depends on many factors, where we live, access to wilderness, finances, ability, safety and more. One of the social determinants of health is environment; consequently, where we live plays a role in our health. The earth takes care of us, it is where we build our homes, grow/hunt/fish our food, drink our water, and we live, work, and play on the land.
Drumming
Excerpt from “Interview with Morning Star River Singers” November 7, 2004, Toronto, ON
The drum is circular; Mother Earth is circular and that’s what that drum represents. It represents Mother Earth. When the singers sound the drum that is the heartbeat of Mother Earth and we give thanks for everything that she gives us. She has been taking care of us from the beginning of time, taking care of us with food, water, medicine, everything. She has never turned her back on us. So when the singers are sounding that drum and the dancers are coming around that drum, they are dancing in time with that drum to show that connection to her. While they are dancing they are thinking about those things that Mother Earth provides for us, but as well they are thinking about all their friends and family that have helped them along the way in their life. Every one of us has been through trying times and we needed our relatives for support. We need our friends for support and they’ve been there for us no matter how down we have been; they have been there for us. So we need to acknowledge and remember all those people because that drum there represents life, represents all of the seasons, represents all of those things – like the medicine wheel teachings on that drum.
Activities:
- Choose one of the following films about Indigenous drumming.
- Brian Knockwood of Sipekne’katik First Nation – Uses this for Substance Abuse .
Attribution:
Community Development Practice: From Canadian and Global Perspectives by Sama Bassidj, MSW, RSW is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
References
- Homeless Hub. (2021, March 1). Indigenous Case Management Model: Adapting Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) for Indigenous Youth [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmQYLOjk1bI
- Indigenous Case Management Model: Adapting Housing First for Youth for Indigenous Youth (HF4Y). (2021, July 14). Homelessness Learning Hub. https://homelessnesslearninghub.ca/library/resources/indigenous-case-management-model-adapting-housing-first-youth-indigenous-youth/
- First Nations Principles of Learning. (2015, December 2). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z4Bn44giR8
- Cull, I., Hancock, R., McKeown, S., Pidgeon, M., & Vedan, A. (2018). Pulling Together: A Guide for Front-Line Staff, Student Services, and Advisors. https://opentextbc.ca/indigenizationfrontlineworkers/
- Ritskes, E. (2012). What is Decolonization and Why Does It Matter? https://intercontinentalcry.org/what-is-decolonization-and-why-does-it-matter/
- Gray, M., Coates, J., Yellow Bird, M., & Hetherington, T. (2016). In Gray M. (Ed.), Decolonizing social work. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315576206
- Tuck, E. & Yang, K. W. (2012). Decolonization is not a metaphor. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 1-40.
- Cull, I., Hancock, R., McKeown, S., Pidgeon, M., & Vedan, A. (2018). Pulling Together: A Guide for Front-Line Staff, Student Services, and Advisors. https://opentextbc.ca/indigenizationfrontlineworkers/
- Ritskes, E. (2012). What is Decolonization and Why Does It Matter? https://intercontinentalcry.org/what-is-decolonization-and-why-does-it-matter/
- Gray, M., Coates, J., Yellow Bird, M., & Hetherington, T. (2016). In Gray M. (Ed.), Decolonizing social work. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315576206
- Tuck, E. & Yang, K. W. (2012). Decolonization is not a metaphor. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 1-40.