| This qualitative study was an exploration of holistic social work as practiced by ten Aboriginal Social Workers in Saskatchewan. Phenomenological methods, which are particularly relevant to a transformative decolonizing Indigenous research approach, were employed to gain an understanding of the essence of practicing holistic social work, as experienced by the research participants. Ten women were interviewed---each of whom self-identified as an Aboriginal person and a social worker. Through the phenomenological analysis methods employed, six themes emerged as follows: culture, system, holistic approach, resources, worker and issues---the essence of these themes was that relationships are the key to holistic social work practice. These relationships are apparent at all levels of interaction---from the micro internal relationships between the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects of an individual (i.e. within the worker or client) to the macro relationships between Aboriginal and Western systems. Significant gaps were identified in current social work practice models, in the areas of cultural understanding, spirituality and decolonizing frameworks. We are at a critical juncture in history where dialogue can begin between the Aboriginal and Western systems such that culturally relevant social work practice can evolve and empower Aboriginal peoples on their path to decolonization. The participants in this research believe that through our relationships we can find common ground and cultivate mutual cultural understanding in an ongoing way. |
