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Decolonizing Education Certificate
Dr. Kathy Absolon is Founder of the Centre for Indigegogy: Indigenous Centred Wholistic Development and works as a Professor in the Master of Social Work: Indigenous Field of Study program. Her academic journey has been a pathway of unlearning, healing, re-learning and finding who she is as an Indigenous woman and what her place is in the academy.
Join Dr. Absolon in understanding how Indigenous re-searchers re-theorize and re-create Western methodologies in Kaandossiwin: How We Come to Know: Indigenous Re-Search Methodologies
Ben Carniol was born in Czechoslovakia. He was a hidden child in Belgium when his parents were murdered as part of the Nazi genocide against Jews, When World War II was over, he was adopted by a branch of his family living in Ottawa. As an adult he graduated with a law degree, then trained in social work. His first job was in Cleveland, Ohio, doing community development. After returning to Canada, he worked with welfare clients in Montreal, then became a social work educator, social activist, and author in Calgary and Toronto. He coordinated a social work partnership between his university and First Nations Technical Institute from Tyendinaga, working with Indigenous Elders and students in land-based education. He is Professor Emeritus from the renamed Toronto Metropolitan University, and a facilitator with the Centre for Indigegogy from Laurier University. He lives in Toronto with his life partner of over fifty years, has two daughters and two grandchildren who also live in Toronto.
Dr. Bonnie Freeman (she/her) is Algonquin/Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Indigenous Studies at McMaster University. Her scholarship focuses on Indigenous journeying (horseback, foot and canoeing) and land-based approaches in recognizing how the knowledge of land, water and the natural environment contribute to positive health and well-being for Indigenous peoples. Her work also includes community-based and arts-based approaches to understanding and promoting social justice across many relations.
Dr. Ruth Green is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at York University. Ruth uses She/her pronouns. She is an activist turned
accidental academic. Green identifies as an urban Indigequeer woman. She is a citizen of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She is from the
Kanien’keha:ka Nation and is a member of the Turtle Clan. She was born a Canadian but was 1/2 disenfranchised when she was 10 years old. By the time she was 34.5 years old she was completely disenfranchised. She acknowledges the privileges she gets in a world of identity politics to be governed by legislation that is 100 years older than she is! She also acknowledges her paternal Celtic heritage. Green likes to think about Indigenous education and social issues that impact Indigenous communities. Ruth is currently the Undergraduate Program Director for the School of Social Work and Special Advisor to the Dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies on Indigenous Issues. She has a PhD from OISE in Adult Education and Community Development, an MSW and a BSW from X University now known as Toronto Metropolitan University.
Shelly Hachey aged out of the child welfare system as a crown ward; she represents the displaced children from the continued oppressive practice that government systems enforce. Her path has brought her full circle and she is dedicated to changing racist and oppressive systems of harm for Indigenous people. She is a bi-racial Ongwehowe woman whose family is from Six Nations of the Grand River and Hamilton, Ontario. Shelly holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, a master’s degree of Social Work and is currently completing a PhD within the Indigenous Field of Study program at Wilfred Laurier University, studying, and practicing wholistic healing and the resurgence of Indigenous knowledge.
Jessica Hutchison (she/her) is a white settler, abolition feminist, and activist-scholar who is deeply committed to dismantling racist and colonial systems that perpetuate harm and violence. She is currently a new professor in Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University whose work is informed by her long-standing prisoners’ rights advocacy, and solidarity with those most impacted by systems of oppression and domination. Jessica teaches in social work and critical criminology; is a Research Associate with the Centre for Indigegogy; and an active member of a grassroots collective in Waterloo Region advocating for the redistribution of police funding towards community-based and equity-centred initiatives.
Jessica was awarded her PhD on August 10th, 2023 and nominated for the award for excellence.
Norma Jacobs is of the Wolf clan in the Cayuga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Gae Ho Hwako is her Ongwehowe name. It means ancestral females holding the canoe before me, and it positions her in an ancestral line of great women of the Wolf clan. She is the Elder-in-Residence for the Indigenized PhD in Social Work program. She has been given the responsibilities of empowering herself, family, community, Nation, and Confederacy. Among her many roles, she is a Longhouse Faith-keeper, advisor to the National Inquiry on MMIWG, a Cultural advisor, a Traditional Practitioner, and author of Ǫ da gaho dḛ:s: Reflecting on our Journeys, Noma has been working with and for her community, her entire life.
Laura Mastronardi is a settler Canadian of Italian and Dutch ancestry. She joined the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty of Social Work in 2006, currently teaches and coordinates field education in MSW Indigenous Field of Study, and is looking forward to teaching in the Indigenous PhD program in fall 2018. Laura brings to her educational practice a social work background in child welfare, mental health and community development.
She has had the honour of working and learning in relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples over the past forty years in communities throughout northwestern, central and southern Ontario, and in Nunavik, the arctic region of Quebec. She strives to be a strong ally of Indigenous peoples and is dedicated to decolonizing Indigenous-settler relations through her social work practice, research and teaching.
Carrie Tabobondung is a helper with well over 30 years in the child welfare sector. She has worked on the frontline to leadership in administrative roles over the years. She comes from a close-knit family where her grandmother was the matriarch of the family and Chief of the community for 28 years. Carrie draws much of her strength from her mentors: grandmother and parents, aunties and uncles. Carrie is a mother to two boys, Myles and Skye.
Carrie has been committed to rebuilding our families and communities and repairing the damaging colonial experience of Indigenous people.
Indigenous People's Certificate
Dr. Kathy Absolon is Founder of the Centre for Indigegogy: Indigenous Centred Wholistic Development and works as a Professor in the Master of Social Work: Indigenous Field of Study program. Her academic journey has been a pathway of unlearning, healing, re-learning and finding who she is as an Indigenous woman and what her place is in the academy.
Join Dr. Absolon in understanding how Indigenous re-searchers re-theorize and re-create Western methodologies in Kaandossiwin: How We Come to Know: Indigenous Re-Search Methodologies
Zhawano Binesek, Atik Dodemii also known as Tina Armstrong, is a member of Bearskin Lake First Nation within the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Territory. She is a grandmother of 2 beautiful children, mother of 3 amazing adults and has an incredible partner for the past 38 years. Ms. Armstrong holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University, and currently is a Doctoral Student at Blue Quills University. She is 2nd Degree Midewin and is a translator, interpreter, educator, helper, mentor and seasoned facilitator. Zhawano Binesek brings with her over 30 years of experience working with the Indigenous Peoples in many different capacities from frontline roles, to leadership positions. She is currently the Elder-in-Residence within the Indigenous Field of Study, Master of Social Program at Wilfred Laurier University and has been in this role for over 12 years.
Zhawano Binesek currently has her own private practice as an Indigenous Cultural Practitioner and a Registered Social Worker.
Banakonda Kennedy-Kish (Bell) is the Elder-in-Residence with the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Indigenous Field of Study at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is an Indigenous cultural advisor, teacher, and Traditional Practitioner, and has served Indigenous communities for over forty years.
Gus resides with his family in the Waterloo Region, and has been a Laurier community member since 2000. He completed his MSW and PhD at Laurier in Social Work. Gus was part of the development of the IFS program and a member of the IFS Team during its inaugural delivery in 2006. He lives by, and embodies, the principles of Indigegogy, and was present when Dr. Stan Wilson gifted the word “Indigegogy” to the IFS Program.
Join Dr. Hill in his efforts to share Traditional healing knowledge in a good way and bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Indigenous Healing: Voices of Elders and Healers.
Lori Hill is an assistant professor at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Master of Social Work program (Indigenous Field of Study). She is a Mohawk woman, turtle clan, from the Six Nations of Grand River territory. Along with teaching, she provides counselling in her Six Nations community. She centres her helping in an Indigenous wholistic worldview.
Dr. Hill serves as the Associate Dean for the Indigenous Field of Study program.
Indigenous Research Series
Dr. Kathy Absolon is Founder of the Centre for Indigegogy: Indigenous Centred Wholistic Development and works as a Professor in the Master of Social Work: Indigenous Field of Study program. Her academic journey has been a pathway of unlearning, healing, re-learning and finding who she is as an Indigenous woman and what her place is in the academy.
Join Dr. Absolon in understanding how Indigenous re-searchers re-theorize and re-create Western methodologies in Kaandossiwin: How We Come to Know: Indigenous Re-Search Methodologies
Lori Hill is an assistant professor at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Master of Social Work program (Indigenous Field of Study). She is a Mohawk woman, turtle clan, from the Six Nations of Grand River territory. Along with teaching, she provides counselling in her Six Nations community. She centres her helping in an Indigenous wholistic worldview.
Dr. Hill serves as the Associate Dean for the Indigenous Field of Study program.
Wholistic Healing Practices & Colonial Trauma Certificate
Zhawano Binesek, Atik Dodemii also known as Tina Armstrong, is a member of Bearskin Lake First Nation within the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Territory. She is a grandmother of 2 beautiful children, mother of 3 amazing adults and has an incredible partner for the past 38 years. Ms. Armstrong holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University, and currently is a Doctoral Student at Blue Quills University. She is 2nd Degree Midewin and is a translator, interpreter, educator, helper, mentor and seasoned facilitator. Zhawano Binesek brings with her over 30 years of experience working with the Indigenous Peoples in many different capacities from frontline roles, to leadership positions. She is currently the Elder-in-Residence within the Indigenous Field of Study, Master of Social Program at Wilfred Laurier University and has been in this role for over 12 years.
Zhawano Binesek currently has her own private practice as an Indigenous Cultural Practitioner and a Registered Social Worker.
Mi'kmaq and Celtic Nations, originally from NB, Dr. Baskin is currently an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her spirit name translates into English as something like, "The Woman Who Passes on the Teachings" and she is of the fish clan.
Dr. Baskin is a prolific writer and experienced researcher with publications that include two novels, a text titled, The Value of Indigenous Knowledges in the Helping Professions, a co-edited book, Spirit in the Quest of an Equitable World: Spirituality, Social Justice, and Social Work and numerous journal articles and book chapters. Prior to joining academia, she was a social work practitioner, consultant and trainer for many years, the latter two of which she continues to do today.
Join Dr. Baskin's learning journey by checking out her publication library.
Giselle Dias is a queer, disabled Métis activist and educator. Her matrilineal ancestors are from the Red River (Hodgson and Fidler) and her patrilineal ancestors are South Asian and French. Giselle has worked in the field of prisoners’ rights, penal abolition, and transformative justice for almost 30 years. She is currently a faculty member with the Indigenous Field of Study, at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Faculty of Social Work
Giselle serves as the Director of the Centre for Indigegogy.
Lutala^kwat (He Wears It On His Head), also known as Albert Doxtator is a member of the Turtle Clan Family of the Onyataka People Of The Standing Stone located 25 minutes southwest of London, Ont. Albert is a descendant of Hereditary Chiefs and Title holders in the Longhouse system, which he follows as a way of life and understanding of original instructions and responsibilities.
Albert's path has given him the opportunity to experience such things as unconditional Love, unsheltered homelessness, family, abuses of all natures, faith, Addictions, and a willingness to give back and share with the youth the importance of resilience, determination and integrity. Lutala^kwat is a brother, son, best friend, coach, father, grandfather, world champion, uncle, sundancer and Faith Keeper of Ceremonies and life long learner.
He offers love and good blessings to your relatives and loved ones far and near today and everyday. Yaw^ko
Mkomose (Dr. Andrew Judge) is Assistant Professor of Anishinaabe Studies at Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. He has lectured at Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, The University of Waterloo, and Coordinated Indigenous studies at Conestoga College where he established a network of Indigenous leaders to restore land. Mkomose specializes in Anishinaabe cultural knowledge, ethno-medicine, and land-based learning.
Carrie Tabobondung is a helper with well over 30 years in the child welfare sector. She has worked on the frontline to leadership in administrative roles over the years. She comes from a close-knit family where her grandmother was the matriarch of the family and Chief of the community for 28 years. Carrie draws much of her strength from her mentors: grandmother and parents, aunties and uncles. Carrie is a mother to two boys, Myles and Skye.
Carrie has been committed to rebuilding our families and communities and repairing the damaging colonial experience of Indigenous people.
Syrus Marcus Ware is a Vanier scholar, visual artist, activist, curator, and educator. Syrus uses painting, installation, and performance to explore social justice frameworks and black activist culture. He has shown in galleries and festivals across Canada. He is part of the Performance Disability Art Collective and a cofounder of Black Lives Matter – Canada. Syrus is the co-editor of Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada (URP, 2020). Syrus earned his PhD at York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies and is Assistant Professor at the School of the Arts at McMaster University
Wholistic Professional Development
Dr. Kathy Absolon is Founder of the Centre for Indigegogy: Indigenous Centred Wholistic Development and works as a Professor in the Master of Social Work: Indigenous Field of Study program. Her academic journey has been a pathway of unlearning, healing, re-learning and finding who she is as an Indigenous woman and what her place is in the academy.
Join Dr. Absolon in understanding how Indigenous re-searchers re-theorize and re-create Western methodologies in Kaandossiwin: How We Come to Know: Indigenous Re-Search Methodologies
Contact Us:
Giselle Dias MSW, PhD (ABD), Director
E: gdias@wlu.ca
Katie McLellan, MSW (IFS), Manager
Raven Morand, Administrative Assistant