Residential School and Indigenous-Specific Racism Statement: READ HERE – College Anti-Racism Statement: READ HERE
On September 30, 2023, the British Columbia College of Social Workers commemorates the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in honour of the children who never returned home and the painful history and tragic impact of the residential schools on individuals, families and communities, that is still ongoing.
The College humbly acknowledges that while public commemoration of the truth of this painful history is important to reconciliation, it is also vital to continue to engage in work that includes learning this truth of the history and recognizing and acknowledging the intergenerational harm that has been caused to families and communities.
This year, to honour Truth and Reconciliation day, staff members were encouraged to engage in learning through the education series offered through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and to reflect on this learning of history, the impact that causes unconscious biases and ongoing systemic discrimination and how we can move forward with reconciliation.
This year, the College renews our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and share our humble efforts to date about what is being engaged in.
The College has been engaged in ongoing work to incorporate a requirement for Indigenous specific cultural knowledge and training as part of the annual continuing professional development requirements in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Committee and the Indigenous Council.
Work is also initiated in developing an anti-racism policy and an anti-indigenous racism policy in collaboration with the Indigenous Council and the Policy Committee.
The College has also been committed to ensuring that all persons working with the College including employees, board members and committee members, are supported with completing the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety training. This commitment also extends to supporting every person to undertake their work in a manner that supports cultural safety, cultural humility and cultural sensitivity, through ongoing learning.
The office of the BC College of Social Workers will close on October 2nd, 2023, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to provide Staff the opportunity to engage in reflection and/or to participate in a local event in their community to remember and to honour, Every Child Matters.
The following resources are provided for your information:
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Canada.ca
Cultural Safety and Humility – BCHR – BC Health Regulators
The College deeply appreciates the support of the Indigenous Council this past year in helping us walk on this path towards reconciliation and acknowledge that there is still more work to be done.
