On Behalf of the Director:
A group of students at the McGill School of Social Work has recently brought to the School’s attention the importance of improving access to de-gendered restrooms in the School. As the Director of the School of Social Work, I am committed to helping ensure safe and accessible restrooms for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. De-gendering restrooms is an important equity issue because many queer, trans, and gender non-binary persons face discrimination and harassment when they use or attempt to use gender-segregated restrooms.
In response the School will work with the McGill administration to improve signage, ensure that there are de-gendered restrooms on every floor of the School, and consider changing some of the multi-use gendered restrooms. As renovation or rebuilding plans for Wilson Hall take shape, the School will request that all future restrooms in the School be single-user, gender-neutral restrooms.
Regardless of signage, all students, staff and visitors have the right to choose the restroom that they are most comfortable using. The School has been and continues to be committed to the principle that all should enjoy a safe, private restroom, free from harassment.
In the next few weeks, we will initiate a series of conversations to support safe and accessible restrooms for all. In that process, I encourage the School’s students, faculty and staff to work together in developing more accessible and equitable restrooms in Wilson Hall, as part of our efforts to create more accessible and welcoming spaces for everyone in our School community.
As we work on this important issue, I ask that all of us, as a community, stay open and non-reactive, and that we refrain from actions that might be or might be perceived as intimidating or non-responsive.
Thank you for your understanding and your collaboration.
Nico Trocmé
Director, School of Social Work
nico.trocme [at] mcgill.ca
NEW BOOK by Professor Cindy Blackstock: Spirit Bear and Children Make History
Congratulations to McGill Social Work Professor Cindy Blackstock on her newly published book entitled “Spirit Bear and Children Make History”.
In collaboration with Eddy Robinson, Professor Blackstock’s new book is based on the true story of how First Nations and other children and young people stood together during a 10 year long human rights case aimed at getting equitable services for First Nations children, youth and families. Told through the eyes of Spirit Bear, who witnessed it all, this story shows how children (and bears) can and have made a huge difference implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
Professor Cindy Blackstock discusses ending discrimination against first nations children in the recently published book: Canada at 150 – Building a Free and Democratic Society.”
Professor Blackstock examines how structural racism and discrimination against first nations children persists in Canada. She points out that “we can achieve incremental change through the legal system, but meaningful reform requires Canadians to stop looking away.”
For more info about Canada at 150, please click here.
NEW BOOK by Professor Myriam Denov: Children Affected by Armed Conflict: Theory, Method, and Practice
Congratulations to McGill Social Work Professor Myriam Denov on her newly published book entitled “Children Affected by Armed Conflict: Theory, Method, and Practice”.
In collaboration with Professor Bree Akesson from Wilfrid Laurier University, Professor Denov explores in the book a wide range of perspectives on the realities of armed conflict and its aftermath for children in eleven conflict-ridden countries including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Palestine, and Sierra Leone.
For more information, please click here.
A Framework for Clinical Practice With Sexual and Gender Minority Asylum Seekers
McGill Social Work Professor Sarilee Kahn in collaboration with Edward J. Alessi from Rutgers Social Work has recently presented a Framework for Clinical Practice with Sexual & Gender Minority Asylum Seekers (SGMAS). The framework is informed by research on complex trauma, minority stress, acculturation/integration, and resilience.
For more information, please read here.
Nico Trocmé of McGill University discusses why identifying and treating child neglect can be so challenging
McGill Social Work Professor Nico Trocmé discusses with the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies why identifying and treating child neglect can be so challenging and emphasizes that child neglect is really a collective failure as opposed to a family failure.
For details, please read here.
Child Sexual Abuse: Toward a Conceptual Model and Definition
McGill social work Professor Delphine Collin-Vezina in collaboration with Professor Ben Mathews from Queensland University of Technology has just published a paper proposing a new conceptual model for defining child sexual abuse.
For more information, please see Journal.
Thousands march in family-friendly anti-racism protest
McGill Social Work students and faculty took part in the November 12th demonstration against hate and racism in response to Bill 62, Quebec government’s religious neutrality law, which forces veiled women to show their faces to receive public services (see http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/anti-racism-protest-to-be-family-friendly-and-positive-organizers-say).
SOCIAL WORK SOCIAL - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017 @ 5PM - WENDY PATRICK ROOM
Celebrating seasons of transition. Bring your stories, music, & food representing the seasons shifting, moments of transition, and celebrating change.
The Social Work Social is an initiative of the school's Community Incubator, a grassroots initiative by members of the McGill School of Social Work (SSW) who aim to create a space where all members of the school (students, professors, and staff) can gather to seek and provide support while developing ideas for advocacy, social action, and community involvement. The group also serves as an incubator for the formation of smaller action groups and committees for specific projects.
The Social Work Social is a space to enhance exchange among all members of the SSW through periodic gatherings themed to promote awareness of and sharing in our community’s diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.
GET INVOLVED!
Interested in joining the SSW’s Community Incubator?
Email
katherine.maurer [at] mcgill.ca
Social Work Fall Convocation – October 31, 2017
The Convocation ceremony will be held Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 2:30 pm in Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, Place des Arts, 175 St. Catherine Street West.
Prior to the Convocation ceremony (from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm), you are all invited to the reception being given by the School of Social Work in the Wendy Patrick Room, in honor of BSW, MSW, MScA and PhD graduating students.
RSVP to Marilena Orsini no later than October 24th.
A photographer is available at the reception for all picture taking which will be posted on the School's website.
Congratulations to Nico Trocmé being named a Fellow by the Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) announced the induction of 89 new Fellows, nine of whom are McGill researchers and scholars. The new group of Fellows will be formally inducted into the RSC on November 24, in Winnipeg.
Among the new fellows is Nico Trocmé, Professor and Director of the School of Social Work, whose life’s work has focused on protecting the wellbeing of children in Canada. A renowned policy and program consultant to several provincial governments and Aboriginal organizations, Prof. Trocmé is the principal investigator for the Canadian Incidence Study (CIS) of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect and the lead researcher for a Federal-Provincial-Territorial initiative to develop a common set of National Outcomes Measures in child welfare.
Get the full story or see Prof. Trocmé's profile.
The Kagedan Lecture on Social Work and Human Rights - Annual Alumni Homecoming Lecture
SAVE THE DATE: October 12th, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the Wendy Patrick Room, Wilson Hall, 3506 University.
Titled: Children and Families Affected by War: A Tri-Pillared Approach Research Group on Children and Global Adversity.
The Research Group on Children and Global Adversity will discuss the human rights of war-affected refugee youth and families in Quebec. Using an integrated tri-pillared approach, the topic will be examined from three approaches— participatory, arts-based, and socio-ecological—each using unique strategies to develop tools to better understand the realities and needs of war-affected populations beyond paradigms of trauma and distress. In addition, the research team draws on the expertise and direct contributions from war-affected young people, which are essential to enhancing the knowledge, quality, and direction of our research.
A light dinner will be available as of 5:45 p.m. Kindly send your RSVP to marilena.orsini [at] mcgill.ca (Marilena Orsini) by October 10, 2017.
See Homecoming Brochure for full details.
Amal Elsana Alhjooj selected for Einstein Legacy Project
Former fellow Amal Elsana Alhjooj, renowned in Israel for her activism on behalf of Bedouin Arab women, is now the Executive Director at the International Community Action Network McGill in Montreal. She has recently been chosen to be part of the Einstein Legacy Project, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. This project will feature the world’s first 3D-printed book entitled “Genius: 100 Visions of the Future”. Amal joins an illustrious group of some of the most prominent people in the world to present her vision.
On behalf of ICAN McGill and McGill University, we would all like to congratulate Amal. A truly unique individual who continues to bring meaningful change to the world.
The link to the Einstein Legacy Project:
The link to Amal’s TEDx talk (Jaffa):
First longitudinal study in Quebec documenting the overrepresentation of First nations children in the youth protection system
In partnership with the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission , a team of researchers at the Centre of Research on Children and Families, including doctoral student Mireille De La Sablonnière-Griffin and Professor Vandna Sinha, have released a groundbreaking report on the trajectory of services offered to First Nations youth and compare it to the rest of the Quebec population.
Bear Witness Day brings awareness to Jordan's Principle
Spirit Bear is not a household name, but he has become the symbol of Jordan's Principle, a child's-first principle meant to ensure that First Nation children receive the health care they need without delays.
He is a small teddy bear who can often be seen posing alongside children's advocate Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.
Spirit Bear will be no doubt posing for a few more photographs on Wednesday as part of Bear Witness Day, a social media campaign created by the society.
It's asking Canadians to snap photographs of their childhood teddy bears and post them to social media with the hashtags #JordansPrinciple and #Waiting4UCanada. It's also encouraging people to bring their teddy bears to work or school to spread awareness of Jordan's Principle.
The day marks an important milestone for the Caring Society — May 10, 2016, was the deadline given to the federal government to implement Jordan's Principle in full.
Click here for full details.
A pillar of hope for the Middle East
With an estimated 1.4 million Syrian refugees, Jordan lies at the forefront of the refugee crisis. Many of those fleeing civil war in their homeland have made their way to Jordan’s capital, Amman; once there, many have been assisted by Al Waqa, an International Community Action Network (ICAN) centre established in east Amman in 2011 by Talal Qdah, MSW’02, a graduate of McGill’s internationally renowned ICAN program.
Al Waqa has focused its efforts on helping refugees understand and exercise their rights, and supporting women and children who have been victims of violence. “Much of our work with the Syrian refugee community, both with groups and individuals, is about defining abuse and helping people to identify it,” says Ibtisam Khasawneh, MSW’16. Al Waqa has been providing psychological counselling services and literacy programs to the growing Syrian refugee community.
Al Waqa is one of 11 ICAN centres in the Middle East; there are five more in the Palestinian territories and another five in Israel. More than 120,000 people benefit from the programs offered by the centres each year...” READ MORE.
Celebratory Luncheon on May 24th, 2017 at Thomson House
Faculty and staff joined together at a luncheon to celebrate the retirement of Karen Hetherington, a farewell for Trudy Blumstein and a special thank you to Courtney Montour.
We wish them much joy and happiness as they begin the next chapter in their lives.
All the best !!
Blackstock: Why does the government continue to discriminate against little kids?"
The death rates were 25 per cent per year rising to close to 50 per cent over three years. Dr. Bryce said the deaths could be prevented if Ottawa provided equitable health care to “Indians” and implemented other reforms, such as improving ventilation and decreasing over-crowding at schools.
The Government of Canada refused to spend the money and public outrage was not sufficient to force Ottawa into action.
Bryce called Canada’s conduct “a national crime.
See full details here.
School of Social Work Spring 2017 Convocation
Spring Convocation ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 at 10 a.m. under the white tent on the lower field of McGill University's Downtown Campus.
Immediately following the Convocation ceremony, you are all invited to the reception being given by the School of Social Work in the Wendy Patrick Room (Wilson Hall), in honour of BSW, MSW, MScA and PhD graduating students (approx. start time noon).
Photographer
A photographer is available at the reception for all picture taking which will be posted on the School's website.
School of Social Work Invited Lecture by Zack Marshall on April 21st at 10:00 a.m., #326, Wilson Hall speaking about Leveraging Research on Research to Gain New Insights into Ethics, Engagement, and Knowledge Synthesis
Mr. Marshall’s presentation will focus on Leveraging Research on Research to Gain New Insights into Ethics, Engagement, and Knowledge Synthesis. Following an overview of his research program, he will present key results from The Trans Research Evidence Map: Documenting Research with Transgender and Gender Diverse People. Critically investigating the field of trans research, this project draws attention to the ways researchers have chosen to study gender diverse people, including attention to subject topics, study designs, and their intersections.
Zack will share his findings related to peer‐reviewed trans research published between 2010 and 2014, identifying evidence gaps and opportunities for knowledge synthesis. This dataset also provides a rich source of information about research ethics including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, and fairness and equity in research participation. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of practice, policy, and research implications and his future program of research.
For full details, click here.
Congratulations to Cindy Blackstock named winner of the Broadbent Institute's 2017 Jack Layton Progress Prize
The Broadbent Institute, Canada’s leading progressive, independent organization championing change through the promotion of democracy, equality and sustainability, has honoured McGill faculty member, Professor Cindy Blackstock who was named winner of the 2017 Jack Layton Progress Prize.
Delegates gave Cindy Blackstock a standing ovation when it was announced that she had won the Jack Layton Progress Prize, which was given to her by Layton’s widow and former MP Olivia Chow.
For read the full story, click here.
School of Social Work Invited Lecture by Susan Cadell on April 24th at 10:00 a.m., #326, Wilson Hall speaking about Advancing a program of palliative care research in social work: From HIV to memorial tattoos.
Susan Cadell is a social work researcher and Professor in the School of Social Work at Renison University College which is affiliated with University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. Beginning May 31, 2017, Susan will be the President of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education - Association Canadienne pour la Formation en Travail Social.
Susan has held various administrative positions and has taught palliative care, research methods and social work practice courses.
Her research concerns positive aspects of stress and coping in various health situations, particularly posttraumatic growth. She focuses on making meaning, spirituality, and palliative care; on informal caregivers of people who are seriously ill; and on positive outcomes of trauma and grief.
Please click here for further details.
Congratulations to Heather MacInthosh for being selected for the 2017 H. Noel Fieldhouse Award for Distinguished Teaching
Heather MacIntosh's award reflects her outstanding teaching in the Masters in Couple and Family Therapy, and in particular her integration of drama students from the department of English who play simulated couples and families. These simulations allow CFT students the opportunity to experience the full range of the treatment process from alliance building and assessment to intervention and termination.
In turn, drama students have the opportunity to develop and evolve a character/patient, within a couple relationship with access to extensive supervision and feedback using scenarios dealing with complex issues such as sexual assault, childhood trauma, addictions, infidelity and chronic health problems.
INAUGURAL SOCIAL WORK SOCIAL – MARCH 29TH, 2017
An initiative of The Community Incubator
Join us for an informal gathering with traditional Persian food on the occasion of Nowruz to celebrate spring & the rebirth of nature
Wednesday, March 29 5:30 PM Wendy Patrick Room (Wilson Hall) RSVP here.
We invite you to contribute (potluck-style) with a dish that is specific to your country, region, traditions and culture, or simply bears meaning for you and your family.]
*The Community Incubator is a grassroots initiative by members of the School of Social Work who aim to create a space where all members of the School of Social Work (regardless of formal role as student, professor, or staff) can gather to seek and provide support, while developing ideas for advocacy, social action, and community involvement. The group also serves as an incubator for the formation of smaller action groups and committees.
The Social Work Social is one such initiative to foster a sense of community: we hope to enhance exchange among members of the School of Social Work through periodic informal gatherings themed to promote awareness of students’ diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions. We hope you will join us!
School of Social Work Invited Lecture by Eveline Van Vugt on March 27th at 1:00 p.m., #326, Wilson Hall speaking about Trauma among Individuals in Care of Social Services: How Cognitions Impact the Life Course and the Course of Intervention
One of Dr. van Vugt’s current studies focuses on the role of maladaptive schemas in the relation between sexual abuse and trauma-related symptoms in young females. This study is part of a collaborative initiative with the Université de Sherbrooke where Dr. van Vugt also holds a cross-appointment as Visiting Professor. During her talk she will discuss the results of this study. In addition, Dr. van Vugt will present one of her new projects in Canada: “Meet the Parents”, which will be conducted in collaboration with Highland Shores Children’s Aids Services, Ontario.
The focus of this project is on caregiver characteristics (in terms of adverse life events and trauma-related symptoms) and how these affect child safety, the therapeutic alliance with protection workers, as well as the type and duration of services provided by the CAS. Dr. van Vugt will discuss how this project relates to her everyday teaching and her personal mission to train social workers and other health professionals to meet the specific needs of parents and children.
For further information, click here.
Youth in foster care should be nurtured and supported past the age of majority, article written by Melanie Doucet in Policy Options
See what Melanie Doucet, a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholar, a SSHRC Doctoral Fellow, a doctoral candidate at McGill University’s School of Social Work, and a former youth in care had to say in the article published in “Policy Options” on March 9, 2017.
The Rights of Indigenous Children with Disabilities in Canada
On March 16 from 11:30-14:30 in the Stephen Scott Seminar Room (OCDH 16), Old Chancellor Day Hall, CRCF members Vandna Sinha and Luna Vives will be part of a panel on the rights of Indigenous children with disabilities in Canada.
This event, featuring Indigenous perspectives, will explore how indigeneity and disability impact children from Indigenous communities.
If you are able to attend, please RSVP and specify any accessibility requests at human.rights [at] mcgill.ca
Conversations with Muslims, Tuesday March 21th at 5:30 p.m
After the tragic events in Quebec City, there was an outpouring of compassion towards the Muslim community. We (a group of Muslims from McGill and beyond supported by friends from many diverse organizations) want to go beyond compassion and promote dialogue. We wish for everyone to know the Muslim next door as a human being, who lives a very similar life to their own.
Come and have small group discussions with Muslims (not Muslim scholars, nor experts), ask questions that you always wanted to and exchange in a safe space. Space is limited, first come, first served. Priority for those who RSVP (to audrey.hachey [at] mail.mcgill.ca) and arrive before 5:15PM.
Doors open at 5 pm. Snacks will be served.
Media contact: Ehab Lotayef 514.941.9792, Mehdi Jouhri 438.832.7595
Tuesday March 21th at 5:30 p.m
Wendy Patrick room (#118 @ Wilson Hall)
3506 University Street
McGill Social Work Career Fair
Date: Friday, March 17, 2017
Time: 10:00am -1:30pm
Location: Wendy Patrick Room and Room 105, Wilson Hall
Participating Organizations: For a full list, click here from winter 2016
For more information, please contact:
Jan Bottomer, Social Work Career Advisor
Tel: 514-398-3304 x0768
E-mail: jan.bottomer [at] mcgill.ca
Jean Hepworth
Tel: 514-398-3304 x0598
E-mail: jean.hepworth [at] mcgill.ca
SAVE THE DATES
All lectures will be held @ 1:00-2:00 pm (#326 or #118, TBC) Appointments with candidates possible @ noon-1 pm or 3:30 – 5 pm (TBC) RSVP to Yong Hong @ yong.feng [at] mcgill.ca for attendance & appointments.
The School of Social Work is currently recruiting one (1) tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the area of Practice with Individuals, Families & Groups.
Please SAVE THE DATES for our upcoming invited lectures as below:
- Mon, Mar 13, Laura Pacheco: Post-doctoral fellow with a SSHRC funded Partnership Development Grant examining support needs and service pathways of parents with intellectual impairments; PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2016; MSW, McGill, 2007; BSW, McGill, 2005;
- Mon, Mar 20, Emmanuelle Khoury: PhD Candidate in Social Work, Université de Montréal; M.Sc., Université de Montréal, 2011; BSW, McGill, 2004; B. Comm., McGill, 2001;
- Mon, Mar 27, Eveline Van Vugt: Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam; PhD in Social & Behavioral Science, University of Amsterdam, 2011; MA & BA in Criminology at the Free University of Amsterdam, 2008 & 2007 respectively; BA/MA in Psycho-education, Utrecht University.
Details forthcoming!
RSVP ASAP!
School of Social Work Invited Lecture by Emmanuelle Khoury on March 20th at 1:00 p.m., #326, Wilson Hall speaking about Unpacking the Concept of Mental Health Recovery through a Dialogue with Service Users & Service providers.
Ms. Khoury’s presentation will focus on Unpacking the concept of mental health recovery through a dialogue with service users and service providers. She will present a critical analysis of recent mental health practice orientations and the emerging tensions or paradoxes. Social work researchers are only beginning to explore the concept of mental health recovery as it relates to social work practice and theory. Following an overview of her research program, Ms. Khoury will present her study results. These suggest that both macro level systemic constraints and micro level day-to-day practice routines have a significant role to play in the expectation of outcomes for service users and in the ensuing construction of recovery-oriented interventions. The implications of these findings will be discussed. Throughout the presentation Ms. Khoury will make links with her direct practice experience and will conclude with a brief summary of her future research direction.
For further details, click here.
School of Social Work Invited Lecture by Dr. Laura Pacheco on March 13th at 1:00 p.m., #326, Wilson Hall speaking about Exploring Experiences and Service Pathways of Parents with Intellectual Disability.
The focus of Dr. Pacheco’s presentation will be on her research program. She will highlight the main findings from her doctoral study: Mothers with Intellectual Disabilities from Different Ethno-cultural Communities: A Narrative Study, which include how the mothers experienced and resisted oppression. Implications of this study on social work practice, research and social justice initiatives will be discussed. She will then present an overview of her postdoctoral research: Support Needs and Service Pathways of Parents with Intellectual Impairments: a SSHRC Partnership Development Project.
This multi-stage and multi-method study aims at determining a strategy to build systems’ capacity across Quebec and Alberta to accommodate the support and learning needs of parents with intellectual impairment and, in turn, improve the life chances of their children. Included in the discussion will be a description of the integrated knowledge translation strategy, including future scholarship. The presenta-tion will conclude with her future research program.
For further details, click here.
McGill School of Social Work SOCIAL WORK ACTION GROUP
MEETING: Wednesday February 22, 2017 Wendy Patrick Room (118) @ Wilson Hall 4:00 -6:00 pm
Following the Equity Forum, students, staff and faculty and expressed interest in further opportunities for collaboration around advocacy and community/political action in light of recent events within the University, our province, and internationally. We are meeting this coming Wednesday to further develop the ideas generated at the last gathering. Please join us and be part of this initiative to create a space for all members of the community of the School of Social Work to come together united in our interest to engage actively and collaboratively!!!
Goal: To create an opportunity in which members of the School can gather, support each other, foster a sense of community, and develop ideas for further advocacy, activism, and community involvement.
Method: A bi-monthly, open gathering during which participants offer support, discuss salient topics, and plan community / political action This format would serve as an incubation stage, allowing smaller action groups and committees to form organically. Projects initiated in this way would eventually break off and hold their own meetings and create their own structures. The incubator can continue as a respectful space for support and generating new ideas
Congratulations to Professor Wanda Gabriel, newly appointed Assistant Professor
Ms. Wanda Gabriel is a citizen of Kanehsatake (Oka) Kanieke’ha:ke nation. She holds an MSW degree from McGill University. Additionally Ms. Gabriel is a national trainer & facilitator guided by traditional teachings, social work theories and experiential techniques to facilitate family and community healing. She has 26 years of experience in the social and healing field with a commitment and passion to change which was fired by her own ongoing healing journey.
Ms. Gabriel has worked in collaboration with National, Regional Aboriginal agencies and Aboriginal communities across Canada dealing with crisis intervention and issues of sexual abuse, lateral violence (internalized oppression), drug and alcohol addiction, do-mestic violence and residential school issues.
McGill Social Work Community in Action: in response to the tragic event in Quebec City on January 29, 2017:
Tuesday, January 31:
In the wake of the tragic event, the International Community Action Network (ICAN) brought together round 30 persons from McGill Social Work community and other community organizations, including Montreal City Mission, Canadian Palestinian Foundation of Québec, the Canadian Muslim Association, and the ADATH Synagogue. The initial discussion was followed by a series of sessions to plan actions in support of Montreal's Muslim community.
Thursday, February 2nd:
Faculty, staff and students gathered in the Wendy Patrick room to watch together the livestream coverage of the funeral and commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Quebec City mosque shooting.
Friday, February 3, 2017
ICAN organized McGill students, staff, interfaith and community organizations to join together in solidarity with the Muslim community on Friday, February 3rd in front of 3 mosques (Al Rawdah Mosque, Canadian Islamic Center Al-Jamieh, and Masjid Al Ummah Al Islamiah).
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
On Valentine’s Day, ICAN will be holding small group discussions with members of the Muslim community to promote dialogue in a safe place. All are welcome to join this exchange with an open heart. Details about the invitation to the event, please click here.
This event is also covered by Gazette.
We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice Screening
The School of Social Work hosted the first official event with new faculty member Dr. Cindy Blackstock on Thursday, January 19, 2017. McGill University screened the NFB and one of Canada's most distinguished filmmaker’s film: Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin’s most recent film We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice. The film documents the nine-year legal saga pitting the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations against the Canadian government. Arguing that Indigenous children on reserves and in Yukon received subpar services due to the government’s discriminatory practices, the plaintiffs eventually won the trial in 2016.
The screening was followed by a lively panel discussion on how the information from the film can be incorporated into students’ areas of study and on how we can raise an awareness of the issue, and promote action, amongst the Canadian public. Professor Allan Downey, Dakelh, Nak’azdli Whut’en, Assistant Professor in the Department of History and Classical Studies, moderated the panel. Panelists included: Amal Elsana Alhjooj, PhD Candidate, School of Social Work & Executive Director, International Community Action Network; Carlee Loft, Kanien'kehá:ka, 3rd Year, Psychology major with a double minor in Indigenous Studies and Behavioural Science; Anna McIntosh, Year 3, B.C.L./LL.B. program, Faculty of Law; and Christian Quequish, Saulteaux, Year 3, Major Political Science, Minor Indigenous Studies.
Before the screening, student volunteers assisted attendees in participating in the Have a Heart Day campaign by writing messages of support that will be delivered to Parliament on February 14. Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation campaign that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the services they need to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.
The event also raised over $337 for Dans la rue. Each year, Dans la rue helps over 1,000 homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 25 to secure housing, return to school, find their first job, reconnect with their families, and receive the physical and mental health care that they need in order to build a better future.
McGill would like to thank all of the student volunteers who helped make the event a success, as well as the organizing partners: The National Film Board of Canada, McGill University’s Indigenous Studies Program, the Department of Political Science, the Faculty of Law, the School of Social Work, Indigenous Access McGill, and the Indigenous Law Student Association.
Further information about the case can be found at www.fnwitness.ca
Trailer and more information on the film: https://www.nfb.ca/mistake_twice
The First Peoples and Social Work Class Featured Guest Lecturer Cindy Blackstock,
The First Peoples and Social Work class featured Guest Lecturer Cindy Blackstock, who provided an indepth introduction into Canadian Aboriginal Child Welfare. She also focused on Have a Heart day and I am a Witness advocacy ecampaigns at the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada.
Social Work students have decided to participate in the Have a Heart Day and I encourage everyone to join. The class provided students with face to face access with a renowned leader in the field, and a staunch advocate for improvement.
Thank you Cindy!
Ben Geboe, Instructor
Lucy Lach named to the Board of Dans la Rue
Lucy Lach, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Associate Dean of Student Affairs has been named to the Board of Dans la rue, the iconic Montreal organization dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk youth.
“The link to McGill is extremely important as it will give Dans la Rue access to students who may want to engage in projects that will support the staff and management,” says Lach. “This will ensure that our students’ work is grounded in the real world and is making a contribution to the community.”
The Passing of Annette Werk, Associate Professor at the School of Social Work
It is with great sadness that the School of Social Work announces the passing of Annette Werk on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at age 86. Annette was Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, McGill University for a span of over 35 years serving as the first ombudsman for Students at McGill University for which she was honored at the 25th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman for Students in May 2012. Annette was instrumental in the development of the School of Social Work’s continuing education program and Chair of the Continuing Education Committee that ushered in the development of four Graduate Certificate Programs (Graduate Certificate in the Interdisciplinary Field of Aging; Graduate Certificate in the Field of Addictions; Graduate Certificate in the Field of Mental Health and Illness ; Graduate Certificate in the Field of Loss and Bereavement) to support ongoing student learning post-graduation. A tireless advocate for students at McGill Annette was known for her clinical wisdom and understanding of student concerns. Annette’s contribution to the School of Social Work was substantial serving on many committees and assuming an important leadership in the School’s functioning during this period.
In terms of her scholarship, Annette is best known for her pioneering development of the McGill Domestic Violence Clinic alongside the late Professor Judy Magill; Associate Professor Julia Krane and Adjunct Professor Tom Caplan. Her clinical interests spanned a broad area initially focused on supervision pedagogy (collaborating with the late Professor Tryna Rothholz) then focusing her expertise in the area of domestic violence. She collaborated on several papers focused on male violence substance abusers in violence or substance abuse treatment; collaborating with Tom Caplan and Dr. Thomas Brown on “Substance abuse and conjugal violence; on group therapy methods for men who abuse their partners; violent substance abusers in domestic violence treatment.” McGill School of Social Work acknowledges the important contribution that Annette Werk has made to the clinical practice teaching generations of social work practitioners. We take this time to honor her memory and contribution to the School of Social Work.