Next Steps
I can see the Chieftess now
Some of my accomplishments and next steps include:
Foster Alumni Adults
I have demonstrated an abundance of leadership through my in-depth research and the development of several strategies and plans to work towards foster alumni empowerment. However, the MSW-Leadership program through the University of Calgary was unable to support me in actioning any of these items.
Publication of My Foster Alumni Research
I submitted my Foster Alumni Perspectives in Research, A Literature Review to a prominent Canadian Social Work Journal and they have accepted my work for publication. Further to the peer review process, they have asked that I update my work to include my personal experiences. I will be doing so as soon as I have the time after finishing this program and I look forward to seeing my thoughts in print as a result.
Publication of My Foster Alumni Research
I submitted my Foster Alumni Perspectives in Research, A Literature Review to a prominent Canadian Social Work Journal and they have accepted my work for publication. Further to the peer review process, they have asked that I update my work to include my personal experiences. I will be doing so as soon as I have the time after finishing this program and I look forward to seeing my thoughts in print as a result.
The Indigenous People of the West Yellowhead
"You can never direct a living system. You can only disturb it." Margaret Wheatley
I have been so successful in disturbing the oppressive political structures of the Indigenous Peoples of the West Yellowhead that I had to end my practicum early and keep my report private. Now, I am stepping back and encouraging community members to take more of the lead in creating their own change. Luckily, my employer who is also the local MLA, was so inspired by my findings that he has decided to support this work through our office.
This disturbance has reverberated far and wide and, as a result, change agents and essential information is being shared, discussed and discovered at a fascinating pace. The old oppressive ways that previously seemed impenetrable have come to appear increasingly clumsy and obvious. I am certain that by the time the next provincial and federal election season is upon us, these people and this region will be loudly and clearly demanding change.
This disturbance has reverberated far and wide and, as a result, change agents and essential information is being shared, discussed and discovered at a fascinating pace. The old oppressive ways that previously seemed impenetrable have come to appear increasingly clumsy and obvious. I am certain that by the time the next provincial and federal election season is upon us, these people and this region will be loudly and clearly demanding change.
Indigenous Leadership Resources and Instruction
The abscence of resources to support exploration and inclusion of indigeneous leadership models has encouraged me to consider developing materials of this sort. I think that, since a large proportion of social work interventions are directed towards indigeneous populations, awareness of indigeneous leadership paradigms should be a component of all under graduate and graduate level social work curricula. Further, indigeneous approaches to leadership need not be confined to use by indigenous peoples. These methods and their underlying values also have the potential to support excellence amongst non-indigenous leaders.