Social work practice with Mexican Americans

Abstract

This chapter explores ways in which schools of social work can facilitate relationship building with Indigenous communities in an educational context. It discusses a strategy for building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through social work education. It then argues a lack of genuine, positive engagement between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples has contributed to a deficiency in understanding contemporary issues facing Indigenous communities by those outside these communities, and to difficulties in moving forward in finding relevant, equitable solutions to these issues. Indigenous and non-Indigenous social work practitioners working with Indigenous individuals, families and communities need a comprehensive, grounded understanding of Indigenous Peoples in context: their histories and cultures and the political, economic, social, legal and health issues. Social work students wrestle with notions of how they can practise effectively while working with an individual, group or community with a different background from their own. The creation of the course was a long-term process, requiring sustained engagement and commitment.