As the provincial regulator for social workers and social service workers in Ontario, we are dedicated to protecting the public and ensuring high standards of professional practice. Our commitment to truth and reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples is an essential part of our public protection mandate.
Today’s society, and the field of regulation, is built upon colonialism and the genocide of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. The College recognizes the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities and is focusing its efforts on anti-Indigenous racism. We acknowledge the shameful role that the social work and social service work professions have played in perpetuating harm to Indigenous Peoples, including the residential school system, the Sixties Scoop, which evolved into the Millenium Scoop, and ongoing overrepresentation in both the child welfare system and judicial system. We recognize the systemic racism and discrimination within the healthcare and social service systems that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples continue to experience, and further recognize that colonization has deeply contributed to the significant health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.
We also recognize that First Nations, Inuit and Métis registrants have not contributed to perpetuating these harms and are actively working to heal their communities from the impacts of systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma.
The College is early in its reconciliation journey, and we are working to understand, listen, learn and unlearn. It is our responsibility to establish and develop specific reconciliation commitments in supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action within our regulatory context. We recognize the importance of intersecting identities and cultures, especially as it relates to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, and we are committed to listening to the voices of all to inform our work. We pledge to implement strategies that support the healing journey of Indigenous communities and individuals. Truth, reconciliation and decolonization will be a central focus in our equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. The College is actively working on building meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and individuals, rooted in partnership and collaboration. We join the collective healing journey and strive to be accountable and to engage respectfully to the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
We understand that we have much to learn and unlearn, and we are committed to taking action in contributing to a more inclusive and just future. As part of our journey, we aim to support the needs and intersectional identities and cultures of Indigenous individuals and communities.
ACTING ON OUR COMMITMENT
Together with the ongoing guidance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, College staff and Council members will turn our intentions into actions and hold space for Truth and Reconciliation to be confirmed through the following actionable plans.
Collaboration and Partnerships
- We will build meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities to begin to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within the regulatory context.
- We will develop meaningful connections with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to enhance both our understanding and responsiveness to their needs and will work collaboratively through College initiatives.
- We will increase the impact and visibility of Indigenous perspectives and support Indigenous voices within our organization and the broader social services sector.
Transparency and Accountability
- We will establish meaningful metrics and benchmarks with our First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to measure our progress in achieving our goals.
- We will annually publish reports and share our stories of our efforts, highlighting our learnings and areas for improvement.
Education and Training
- We will develop practice resources to raise awareness and understanding of the unique challenges faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to assist College registrants in better serving these communities.
- We will provide mandatory training for all staff and Council members on anti-Indigenous racism, Indigenous cultural competency and impacts of colonialism.
Data-Driven Decision Making
- We will use data and evidence-based and relational approaches to apply our policies and guide our practices regarding First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.