"Why do you want to help me? I've never even been to your home." : a journey in cross-cultural social work with Aboriginal people

• Main Author: Garwood, Nicki
• Other Authors: Leonard, Peter (advisor)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 1995
• Subjects: Cross-cultural counseling; Social work with minorities > Québec (Province); Social work with alcoholics > Québec (Province); Social work with Indians > Québec (Province); First Nations
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=23314

The following thesis describes the experiences of a non-Native, female, social worker as a participant-observer among First Nations people. The setting was that of an Intensive Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program for male Aboriginal ex-offenders, held over a period of four months in 1993. The environment was a secluded camp site, situated to the North-East of Montreal. The material describes, in narrative form, the interactions between non-Native and Mohawk workers, and between non-Native worker and Native clients of various cultural backgrounds. Also considered are general issues which affect First Nations peoples, such as alcohol and drug abuse, grief and loss, sexual abuse and the resurgence of traditional Native spiritual practices. Implications of the work reflect on effective cross-cultural communication, and the importance of facilitating appropriate healing processes for First Nations peoples.