Indigenous social workers meet to discuss self-determination

Alumni of First Nations University’s Indigenous social work program gather to support future professionals.

An alumni group from the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) gathered to address issues members are facing when entering the work world.

The FNUniv Social Work Alumni Group, which was formed in 2023, held a conference focused on self-determination on Friday.

“How can we bring our knowledge and background to the social work profession, and to really help clients, but to also live up to our values and ideas as Indigenous social workers,” said Susannah Walker, a member of the alumni group.

The Indigenous Social Work program is one of the leading programs at FNUniv. Each year, graduating classes of the faculty are double the size than others at the institute.

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In 2023, the faculty celebrated 50 years of operation and has produced generations of professionals working in Saskatchewan.

Brianna Lerat, a graduate of the program, has experienced an Indigenous and non-Indigenous approach to social work.

“A lot of people don’t understand community, and how our families need that connection,” she said.

“It was a different lens for sure, walking in both worlds,” she concluded.

Micah Stonechild is another graduate of the program. She went directly to an Indigenous led organization after graduation. She said the transition went smoother due to similar values.

“All of the different tools I learned throughout my academic career apply to my professional career,” she said.

Walker said the alumni group has been gathering information on graduates and their experiences, with many dealing with similar issues.

They are now looking to create a support system to help those who may be struggling.

Future graduates of the program are also in mind.

Other Indigenous social work professionals who are not alumni are also welcome to join the group.