On behalf of the CSCSW’s Diversity Equity and Transformation we would like to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Each November, Native American Heritage month celebrates the diverse and rich history of Indigenous people.
As Social Workers who are committed to promoting diversity and engaging in anti-racist practice, it is necessary to be aware of the significant painful atrocities that Native Americans faced throughout our U.S. and social work professional history and to be aware of continuous attacks on Native American culture, such as the current attempts to overturn the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Please use the following articles, films, and photography to learn more about Native Americans.
Project 562– A multi-year national photography project of over 562 federally recognized tribes in the United States. It has a repository of imagery and oral histories that portray contemporary Native Anmericans.
SAMHSA Guide to building cultural awareness when working with Native Americans
https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-affairs
National Congress of American Indians
Native American events and Art
Native Americans: A Crisis in Health Equity– by Mary Smith, American Bar Association.
Tribal Affairs and Policy– SAMHSA
Sacred Land Film Project – The Sacred Land Film Project tells inspiring stories of indigenous peoples’ resistance to the destruction of their sacred sites and cultures.
Anti-Racism Daily- Unpack “This Land is Your Land”
https://the-ard.com/2021/01/25/unpack-this-land-anti-racism-daily/
Hope Starts With Us (NAMI Podcast) “Indigenous Mental Health and Well-Being”