This session will highlight considerations in preparation for legalized Cannabis in summer, 2018. Societal and family norms will experience change, ranging from holding onto ‘what was’ to reaching for ‘what is’. Social workers will have a first-hand perspective of these interactions. An overview regarding drug use culture, addiction, and adverse effects will be provided, compared to rationale for legalization and a harm reduction approach. Outcomes from other jurisdictions where Cannabis has been legalized will be discussed. Approaches to support/intervention will also be provided.
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In response to your requests, Sheri has requested that we attach a PDF copy of her piece to this archived webinar. She would like you to know that “I am trying to get this piece published – so that I can share it more widely with people. As my goal is to share it and to be a part of changing our relationships with each other, I am open to people sharing my work with others – as that is the whole point of doing this work. I would be honoured if this piece were to be a conversation starter – and if it were to inform some of how we view our role as settlers in the process of decolonization and reconciliation.”
Workshop Objectives:
- To surface some historical truths of Canadian ‘settlement’ and the stories that obscure this truth
- To reflect on the complexity and immensity of colonialization efforts
- To consider the implications for the profession of social work and for each of us as social workers
- To explore everyday strategies and steps toward decolonizing and reconciling
Description: There has been much discussion as of late about the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Settlers on Turtle Island (North America) - with a particular focus on colonization, decolonization, and reconciliation. Over the past 500 or so years, under British and French then Canadian rule, and through a process of colonization, the settlers who immigrated to (what is now known as) Canada have directly and indirectly participated in the elimination and assimilation of Indigenous peoples through physical, biological, and cultural genocide. The time for decolonizing (reversing the policies, practices, and impacts of colonization) and for reconciling is long overdue.
In this workshop Sheri and Carolyn assert that, as Settlers, we need to turn our gaze inward to expose the colonial foundations of our ‘Settler Identities’. Without doing this difficult, self-reflective work there is little hope of transforming social work from a colonial project to a transformative process of reconciliation.
Learning Objectives:
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What is a Gladue report and how does the Sacred Story fit in?
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What are Gladue factors and what role do they play in an Individual’s life and in the courts?
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Discuss intergenerational trauma and systemic trauma.
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Where is Gladue now? As a professional what can I do to help my client?
First Nations, Inuit, and Metis cultures have long passed on knowledge from generation to generation through oral traditions, including storytelling. Storytelling is a traditional method used to teach about cultural beliefs, values, customs, rituals, history, practices, relationships, and ways of life. First Nations storytelling is a foundation for holistic learning, relationship building, and experiential learning.
Now story telling is brought into the westernized justice system to explain an Indigenous person’s life continuum through the Supreme Court ruling 718.2(e).
A coined phrase called a “Gladue Report.”
“Patience and trust are essential for preparing to listen to stories. Listening involves more than just using the auditory sense. Listening encompasses visualizing the characters and their actions and letting the emotions surface. Some say we should listen with three ears: two on our head and one in our heart.” (Archibald, 1997, p. 10).
Jordan’s Principle is a legal rule to ensure that First Nations children have access to the services they need, when they need them. Jordan's Principle applies to all public services, including mental health care, special education, dental services, physical therapy, speech therapy, medical equipment, physiotherapy, respite for caregivers and more.
It has been more than 10 years since Jordan’s Principle passed unanimously in the House of Commons, and over a year since the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to implement Jordan’s Principle in a way that upholds substantive equality. Jennifer King will provide an overview of the Tribunal’s legal orders and discuss how community members and human service workers can ensure all First Nations children, on and off reserve, receive proper benefit from Jordan's Principle.
If you cannot attend the live webinar, register now to be sent a link to the On-Demand presentation after the conclusion of the live event.
The increased focus on the mental health needs of children and adolescents is presenting challenges to parents and to the service providers they approach. This webinar will examine societal shifts that have contributed to current trends, assist social workers in discerning poor coping from anxiety, distinguish typical verses atypical behavior and development, and provide insight into the social workers role from a clinical perspective.