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Essay Instructions: The purpose of this essay is to explore a Contemporary issue relevant to Canada's Aboriginal People and critically apply Social Work Theory and Decolonization principles.

Essay will critically discuss the following:

TOPIC: Suicide amongst Canada's Aboriginal People

- Discuss relevance to social work profession
- A brief historical background which is succinctly linked to the current rates of suicide amongst Aboriginal people in Canada.
- What needs to be or is being decolonized within this process to be meaningful to Aboriginal People
- What are some of the systemic/structural barriers that exist for Aboriginal people in dealing with suicide?
-Explain what decolonizing practice approaches could be used or are being used within the issue to meet specific needs.
- Explain any specific issues that may need to be addressed with regards to age, gender, sexual orientation, class or race to be inclusive, non-discriminatory, and respectful within the issue of suicide and Aboriginal people.
- How are Aboriginal people attempting to deal with the issue in a holistic and culturally and community based manner?
- What other decolonizing strategies might you use to meet the needs within this issue? Explain and provide examples.
- What was the most important learning from this research about decolonizing practice?
- How might this learning influence future social work practice with Aboriginal Peoples?


Must cite the following references;

Strong Helpers' Teachings: The Value of Indigenous Knowledge in the Helping Professions. Cindy Baskin (2011)

Wicihitowin: Aboriginal Social Work in Canada. Sinclair, Hart & Bruyere

Culture and aboriginality in the study of mental health. In Healing Traditions: The Mental Health of Aboriginal People in Canada. J.B. Waldram (2009)

Beyond Recovery: Colonization, Health and Healing for Indigenous People in Canada. Lavallee, L. & Poole, J. (2009)

The Occassional Evils of Angels: Learning from the Experiences of Aboriginal People and Social Work. In First Peoples Child and Family Review, Volume 4, Number 1, pp. 28-37, Cindy Blackstock (2009)

As well as at least 3 other relevant academic peer reviewed articles.

Essay Instructions: Explore the Federal social policy of self government ; Provide critical reflection on the social policy and how it impacts on Mi'kmaq Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.

Essay Instructions: Question
Health workers learn that people's individual perceptions and beliefs about health are fundamental to their lifestyles and behaviours. Health to Aboriginal people is a muli-dimensional concept that embraces all aspects of living. A sense of community apears essential to a sense of oneself, and this in turn is essential to health. In your response, identify what is required by health professionals and the health profession per sae to accommodate this?


Introduction
Body
Conclusion
References

2 references per paragraph

Key areas
Aboriginal health
Community empowerment
Primary Health Care (PHC)
Cultural Safety

2000 words

Essay Instructions: An essay regarding disparities between the original "medicine chest" clause under Aboriginal Treaties in Canada, and the failure of the Canadian government to meet the health care needs of Aboriginal people today. Providing a plan/policy change for improvement (using the First Nations Health Authority in BC as an inspiration), using the following criteria:
1. Clearly explain what is your policy or program area is.
2. Provide a brief history of this policy issue (what does the reader need to know about the key historical causes/factors of the problem or issue in order to understand why and how the issue is important to aboriginal people today.
3. What need or issue is the policy attempting to meet for aboriginal people
4. Whose needs are you endeavoring to address with this proposed or amended policy change (urban, rural, youth, men, women, two-spirited, people with disabilities, etc.) Explain.
5. Briefly explain who is involved in addressing this policy issue. Federal, Provincial, Aboriginal organization
6. Provide two clear policy changes to your identified policy area
7. Provide two clear reasons for your recommended changes in terms of how you see the changes benefitting aboriginal people
8. Provide two clear examples for how your policy change reflects a decolonizing and/or inclusive approach
9. What two value criteria would you include in this model? Provide examples of why and how these can assist in ensuring a more inclusive policy process and outcome
10. Explain how you are incorporating an Aboriginal analysis into your policy recommendation and or change process.

Paper must reference heavily from "Connecting Policy to Practice in the Human Services" by Brad McKenzie and Brian Wharf, as well as "For Indigenous Minds Only: A Decolonization Handbook" Edited by Waziyatawin and Michael Yellow Bird

Paper must also include at least 4 ACADEMIC references.