Faculty of social sciences building from outside

Indigenous traditional knowledge

Resolution to recognize and integrate traditional Indigenous knowledges into teaching, research and practice at the School of Social Work.

Ijogìjowewin Kidji Nisidiwinàdjigàdeg Kete Anishinàbe Kikenindamàwin kidji ashidinigàdeg kinàmàgewining, andokikenindjigewining kikinàmàdinàning ondje ogog Pemàdizìn Enokìtawàwàdjin.

Resolution on the recognition of traditional Indigenous knowledge

Whereas

In its Calls to Action #10 (iii), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada asked that the Federal government create new “Aboriginal education legislation” that would mandate educational institutions to develop “culturally appropriate curricula” (TRC 2015, p. 4).

Whereas

The University of Ottawa, through undertaking its Indigenous Action Plan, is “engaging in the process of Indigenization by learning from and working with Indigenous worldviews” (2020, Background).

Whereas

Western knowledge refers to a wide range of epistemologies and approaches that emerged from various social and scientific histories.

Whereas

Traditional Indigenous knowledges equally emerged from diverse places and histories and represents a range of approaches and practices.

Whereas

As a result of colonization, Indigenous peoples and their knowledges have long been considered as inferior and continue to be marginalized today.

Whereas

The School of Social Work (SSW) wishes to counter the subjugation and marginalization of Indigenous knowledges.

Whereas

The SSW engaged in a process of decolonizing its programs and operations in 2018.

Whereas

The mission of the Kinistòtàdimin Advisory Circle aims to develop and maintain reciprocal relationships between settlers, Algonquin Anishinaabeg custodians of this territory and all other Indigenous Nations.

Whereas

The Kinistòtàdimin Advisory Circle developed an Action Plan to support the SSW’s desire to integrate Indigenous traditional knowledges into its activities.

Be it resolved that

The School of Social Work at the University of Ottawa declares that Indigenous traditional knowledges holds equal value and adds to Western knowledge. The School of Social Work recognizes the intrinsic value of Indigenous traditional knowledges in social work education, training, research and intervention. For the School of Social Work, this change in epistemic perspective requires the progressive and sustained integration of Indigenous traditional knowledges into research, teaching, training and social work intervention. 

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