Voluntary Self-Identification of Indigenous Registered Social Workers FAQ

In 2020, the BCCSW began offering Indigenous registrants to voluntarily self-identify ancestry.

Why is this data collected?

In 2016-2017 the BCCSW completed provincial engagement with Indigenous communities across BC. A priority area identified was to increase the number of self-identified Indigenous registrants. This step is a part of the larger work the BCCSW is doing with reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The BCCSW will begin tracking year to year the number of self-identified Indigenous registrants.

How will this data be used?

The Indigenous committee will oversee the use of this data. In alignment with OCAP (ownership, control, access, and possession) principles, the BCCSW is committed to ongoing respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities. The benefits of ensuring OCAP is upheld includes rebuilding of trust, decreased bias, meaningful capacity development, and community empowerment to make change (Schnarch, 2004)¹. The Indigenous committee will monitor the numbers and trends of self-identified Indigenous registrants, will decide when/how this information will be shared, and provide direction to the BCCSW on action items necessary in relation to this.

Where can I find more information?

Continue to check back at the BCCSW website, and specifically the Indigenous committee tab, where the latest updates of the committee will be posted and shared.

¹Schnarch, Brian. (2004). Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) or Self-Determination Applied to Research: A Critical Analysis of Contemporary First Nations Research and Some Options for First Nations Communities. Journal of Aboriginal Health. 1. 80-95.