Cultural competency - Working with Aboriginal Peoples: A non-Native perspective
Date
2012-12-03
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Abstract
Throughout the course of my education in the Social Work field, I have
come to learn about the importance of cultural competency as it pertains
to the helping profession and working with Aboriginal peoples. There
are many disheartening issues that First Nations communities face in our
country today. I have gained some insight of the rules and regulations that
the Federal government has placed upon Aboriginal people. Government
legislation has created impossible boundaries that prevent Aboriginal
populations the right to exercise equality in Canada. Unfortunately those
most affected are the lives of many innocent Native women, children
and families who struggle with poverty, violence and racism on a daily
basis. Racism towards Aboriginal peoples continues to happen generation
after generation. It is necessary within the social work profession to raise
awareness about how our society lacks the knowledge and understanding
of Aboriginal culture. If social work practice recognizes the need to be
culturally competent when working with Aboriginal peoples then we
should examine how our actions will lead us to that goal.