SWLF 1005 - Week 5 This week

1
SWLF 1005 - Week 5This weeks key concept in
social welfare aboriginal peoples

• Two important thoughts as we begin
• What is Canada? Where does it come from?
• How do we right the wrongs of history?

2
Agenda for this week

• Announcements website
• Next weeks guest speakers Mary Laronde, Karen
  Linklater, Union of Ontario Indians
• Our readings this week (Hick 2002 159-184)
  aboriginal peoples in perspective.

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What is work?

• Questions to consider
• Is one only working when wages or transfers of
  money are involved?
• Is there an important distinction to be made
  between work and employment?
• What is it about work that sets it apart as a
  human activity? What are the implications of
  work for other aspects of our lives?

4
Alienation a snapshot of the concept

• Alienation from
• - Your co-workers
• The product of your labour
• The environment surrounding your labour
• Yourself a heavy notion, but significant all
  the same according to some people

5
Small group activity perspectives on work
Film As Friend and Foe

• What is the case this film makes for an
  historical view of work in the 20th Century?
• Has the emergence of collective bargaining helped
  or hindered workers rights?
• Has this film changed your view of trade unions?
  Why or why not?

6
Film No Turning Back (1996)

• The context
• This film concentrates on a moment in aboriginal
  history where Hicks review ends, the Royal
  Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
• After watching this film, ask yourself these
  questions in small group sessions
• How can past injustices against Aboriginal People
  be rectified?
• What ideas does this film suggest for empowering
  aboriginal peoples to meet their own challenges?

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Week 5 questions for today

• Why is the historical treatment of aboriginal
  people important to consider for students of
  social welfare? (2002 159-167)
• What was behind the urge to assimilate
  aboriginal peoples in Canada? How did this take
  place? (2002 165-166)

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Week 5 questions for today

• Is there one social welfare approach that can
  meet the needs of aboriginal peoples?
• What do aboriginal methods like the Medicine
  Wheel reveal for students of social welfare?

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Small group activity the Potlatch in perspective

• Background
• Aboriginal peoples on the what is now the West
  Coast of Canada used to engage in the ritual
  known as the potlatch.
• The potlatch was a practice where members of one
  tribe (or even different tribes) would share
  resources to ensure against hunger and poor
  living conditions.
• In your small groups, imagine a circumstance
  where members of your community would engage in a
  potlatch for certain resources. Des

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For next class

• Readings, Week 6 Race.
• Guest speakers (1) Mary Laronde, Union of
  Ontario Indians.