Becoming an ally: Intersections of indigenous worldviews and clinical social work practices within Carrier Sekani Family Services

Colonization – both historical and contemporary – has resulted in poor overall health status and other negative impacts for Indigenous people in Canada. To avoid further assimilation and colonization, non-Indigenous practitioners must become effective allies with Indigenous individuals and communities and work collaboratively to develop service approaches that are more culturally focused. My practicum with Carrier Sekani Family Services provided me with numerous opportunities such as observing and facilitating individual and group counselling sessions and participating in Carrier cultural and spiritual activities. My two main learning goals were to become an effective ally within Indigenous communities and learn to integrate traditional Indigenous healing approaches and Western clinical interventions into my own professional practice. This report discusses my practicum experiences and expresses how I will incorporate my learning into my future practice. My report also addresses complex issues such as appropriate boundaries, regular self-care, and vicarious trauma followed by recommendations.