1.
What are some ethical considerations that need to be considered when working with
Indigenous people? Why?
When working within the Indigenous communities there are numerous ethical considera-
tions that a social worker needs to be aware of and continually checking in on. The ability to keep their own self-determination and self-governance of their communities, knowledge of colo-
nial trauma, the utmost confidentiality, and being aware of and acknowledging your own per-
sonal bias. Are these ethical currently being addressed? From a personal opinion, I believe there is a small effort being made and much more that can be done. The Ontario College of Social Work-
ers and Social Service Workers does a great job at releasing public statements about Indigenous tragedies as they are uncovered, along with the release of a Strategic Plan, College Council has indicated its commitment to moving forward on the challenging and very important issues of di-
versity, equity and inclusion as they relate to the College’s regulatory role. This overarching pri-
ority encompasses anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, and other forms of systemic oppres-
sion which disproportionately affect racialized communities (OCSWSSW, 2020). The college does recognize that Working with Indigenous people brings up numerous ethical considerations. First and foremost, Indigenous autonomy and self-determination must be respected. Any decisions affecting their lives or communities must be made with their consent. Second, it is critical to understand the his-
tory of colonial trauma and violence against Indigenous people. This history should be taken into
account when engaging with Indigenous people in order to avoid retraumatizing or further marginalising them. Third, keep Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural distinctions in mind. Respect these differences and ensure open, polite communication. Fourth, Indigenous peoples' research must be culturally appropriate and respectful. This includes obtaining informed consent from participants and protecting their privacy. Indigenous people are not a monolithic group. Be-
cause indigenous cultures vary, it's critical to tailor your approach to the community or commu-
nities you're working with.
Ethical considerations that need to be considered when working with Indige-
nous people include respect of autonomy, knowledge of colonial trauma, and re-
search but be culturally appropriate and respectful.
. Respecting indigenous peoples' independence and freedom to make their own decisions is the first and most important step in the right direction. This means
