Each year, Kasohkowew Child Wellness Society (KCWS) hires practicum students to support their education in the Indigenous social work field, and to increase the capacity of the organization in the spring and summer months. In 2024, KCWS had the support of three students interested in learning about and serving the children and families of the Samson Cree Nation. We asked our practicum students to share some things they learned from their experiences during their placement at Kasohkowew.
This year, a third-year Bachelor of Social Work Student (name withheld for privacy purposes) was encouraged to try something that was out of her comfort zone. After spending the first two years of her program within the school system and then with family services focusing on new mothers within the community, she was ready to take on a different opportunity.
“I started to learn quickly that everything I was observing was new to me, even after two years of experience in social work,” said the student of her time working at KCWS. “I was eager to keep learning, and the staff made me feel comfortable, welcomed and respected in my role.”
She recognized that the caregivers were open to growing and learning in their roles as temporary parental figures by educating themselves on the importance of cultural connections. She noticed how deeply each staff member is living by the mission of KCWS to bring our children home, and reconnect them to the kinship, language and identity teachings.
“Working with KCWS on the initiative of reconnecting our children with their true identity as First Nation descendants has given me a sense of hope,” she says. “I am honoured to be in a position to provide tools and resources of resiliency and support the journey of what it truly means to bring our children home.”
This practicum student brought her compassion, open mind, kindness and love to the children and families connected with KCWS during her practicum placement. We wish her well in completing her final year of studies in the Bachelor of Social Work program.
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