Submission to The Social Lens: A Social Work Action Blog by Vivian Liu, BSW Student, SOWK 325
Decolonize First, a liberating guide & workbook for peeling back the layers of neocolonialism is a unique workbook which teaches the reader how to relate to decolonization from the point of view of an Indigenous writer, Ta7talíya Michelle Lorna Nahanee. In this workbook, Nahanee teaches the reader what decolonization is, why we need decolonization first, and how to clear out our learned assumptions and biased beliefs from colonial impacts in decolonizing (n.d.). Nahanee also indicates the negative impacts of putting indigenization or reconciliation first, because indigenization will overburn Indigenous peoples and could also get “ugly with appropriation and commodification.” Reconciliation first, she argues, will not bring forward Indigenous peoples’ best selves. Therefore, in this book, Nahanee concludes that decolonizing has to happen first because decolonizing our approaches includes Indigenous peoples’ “normalized supremacy” (n.d.). Through this workbook, I am impacted not only personally and professionally but also mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
My Learnings Mentally Impact Me and My Developing Social Work Practice
Nahanee demonstrates that Indigenous peoples “are lifting each other up” by using the Squamish verb “Chenchénstway,” which means to support one another and demonstrates the mindset of support in Indigenous cultures (n.d.). Her sharing assisted my understanding of Indigenous cultures and inspired me to consider how to help without harm. Her elaboration on intent and impact made me reflect on experiences where I had good intentions, but did not achieve good results, as well as laws or policies that claim to have good intentions but have a negative impact on Indigenous peoples. For example, when I visited an office a few years ago, I saw that the front desk staff had picked up the phone without saying anything, then left for another room in a hurry. When she came back to the desk, the person had already hung up. In order to help her, I kindly reminded her that before leaving for the other room, she should have told the person on the other side of the line to wait for a while or called back or asked for the other person’s number. The front desk staff became upset and said, “I know what I am doing, no need for advice!” and I felt embarrassed. What she said was probably true because I did not know the whole picture. My good intention caused tension between me and the front desk staff. Similarly, Nahanee says that the settler-colonialists do not know Indigenous cultures very much, but judge them as “less deserving, less intelligent, and less wealthy” (n.d.), which is very harmful in social work practice. In order to not harm others, I should always have a respectful mindset towards Indigenous cultures, respect their lifestyles, and not jump to judgment. My mindset resonates with Nahanee’s call to action in this workbook; I should start decolonization with myself and not wait for others.
My Learnings Spiritually Impact Me and My Developing Social Work Practice
Nahanee tells the reader that one reason why she believes that decolonizing should be the first step is that she witnesses continuous harm “in the name of Indigenizing,” and is aware of “fetishism, exotification and spiritual materialism” (n.d.). Nahanee further describes “cultural appropriation, cultural appreciation, commodification, and Indigenous expertise” (n.d.) in her workbook for the reader to be aware of their spiritual connection with Indigenous cultures. Therefore, I should be spiritually aware of “using Indigenous knowledge, artwork or music” (Nahanee, n.d.) and be mindful when practicing my social work career. I should support Indigenous-owned businesses, read Indigenous literature, and attend Indigenous performances in both my personal life and professional practice to show my appreciation of Indigenous cultures. I should never take advantage of Indigenous ideas and make money from them, but spiritually respect them and their cultures.
My Learnings Emotionally Impact Me and My Developing Social Work Practice
Nahanee emphasizes that decolonizing first may cause some people to feel bad about “what happened” to Indigenous peoples and that we need to be aware of it because “pity + denial contribute to ongoing oppressions” (n.d.). Though I do not deny what happened to Indigenous peoples and I feel mournful for the way that colonization traumatized Indigenous people (including the genocidal residential school system), after reading her workbook, I realized that instead of feeling like I am walking on eggshells to mind my feelings, I need to take action to decolonize. Nahanee mentions that, in order to have reconciliation, we need to not make mistakes with “complacency” and “complicity.” She analyzes the five stages of grieving one’s complicity in settler-colonialism, which includes denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance (n.d.). As a minority of naturalized Canadian citizens, I may not experience some of the stages. However, I definitely go through sadness and acceptance. I should focus on being a social worker who is an ally, helping people suffering in settler-colonialism, and bringing the community forward because decolonization is a long, ongoing process.
My Learnings Physically Impact Me and My Developing Social Work Practice
Nahanee reminds the reader that “a territorial acknowledgement is a personal commitment to and appreciation for the land [we] are in relations with. It is a way to respect the Ancestors who cared for the land that is caring for [us]. It can connect [us] to the medicine of the land” (n.d.). Thanks to her writing, I have more knowledge about the importance of land acknowledgments, and I am determined to continue to practice giving land acknowledgements and to educate other non-Indigenous folks. However, before I took Indigenous studies, I did not understand why there is a land acknowledgement ritual and why Elders speak at big events. Now, I am more sensitive with my presentation in public and always say a land acknowledgement and remind people to do so themselves. Even during my hikes, I share this knowledge with my teams to encourage them to appreciate the land we live on in order to have good relationships with Indigenous peoples, nature and animals. I also show my support by going to Indigenous peoples’ events, being an ally for their land protests, and abandoning colonizing words about Indigenous Peoples and Cultures. I believe that each action taken by each person will contribute to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through decolonization. I believe that my practice as a social worker to influence other non-Indigenous peoples will have an even stronger impact than my personal actions.
Nahanee guides the reader through her workbook with critical consciousness and this reminded me of the layers of neocolonialism in the systems around me, and how to take action as a social worker to shift out of colonial defaults from the systemic frameworks. I believe studying her workbook nurtured me in a comprehensive way, which benefits both my personal life and my career as a social worker. Nahanee teaches the reader that “decolonization is an ongoing, complex, and personal practice” (n.d.), so I plan to go back to this workbook to review her guides regarding decolonization and learn how to take action towards anti-suppression without doing further harm and to better help Indigenous peoples.
References
Nahanee, T. (n.d.). Decolonize First a liberating guide & workbook for peeling back the layers of neocolonialism. (n.p.).
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