The federal government has announced a significant investment in an Aboriginal research project at Thompson Rivers University that will examine unique cultural and traditional Aboriginal knowledge to improve social work and human service field education at the local and global level.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) announced the Aboriginal Research Grant of $219,310 for Natalie Clark, TRU Field Education Coordinator, Faculty of Human, Social and Educational Development for the Decolonizing field education: Melq’ilwiye coming together: a Canadian and international comparison project that is funded over three years.

Natalie Clark, Field Education Coordinator

The word Melq’ilwiye is the Secwepemc word for ‘coming together’ as TRU is located on the traditional territory of the Secwepemc peoples. The research team brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal scholars and communities from Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), Interior Indian Friendship Society (IIFS), The University of British Columbia (UBC), University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and Madras Christian College (MCC) in India.

“While Aboriginal perspectives are now being included in social work classrooms, there is little or no research or literature available on how Aboriginal knowledge is applied within field education,” said Clark. “Our study aims to address this gap by listening to the experiences of our Aboriginal students, Elders and partners so we all face the same direction when it comes to best practices for social work and human service practitioners.

“One of our key questions is, ‘how can we do no harm’ given the history of colonization and indigenous people around the world.”

“One of our key questions is, ‘how can we do no harm’ given the history of colonization and indigenous people around the world.” – Natalie Clark, TRU Field Education Coordinator

“This award builds on the considerable expertise TRU has developed in this area and reflects one of the university’s strategic goals to be the university of choice for Aboriginal students and first nations,” said Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner, TRU’s AVP Research and Graduate Studies. “It also shows our focus on community-based, applied research that improves the human condition.”

Building on the successful 2007 SSHRC Aboriginal Development Grant, this study through the new and expanded partnerships between the five post-secondary institutions, will further Aboriginal practices and knowledge in field education in Canada and internationally.