Warriors, empowerment, and social work

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dc.contributor.advisorZapf, Michael Kim
dc.contributor.advisorPelech, William
dc.contributor.advisorPyrch, Timothy
dc.contributor.authorBig Plume, Sharon
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T21:34:32Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T21:34:32Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 276-296en
dc.description.abstractTraditional Aboriginal cultures prepared people to face and overcome adversity due to challenging environmental and social contexts requiring high levels of expertise and responsibility. Warrior societies routinely created extraordinarily strong, clear minded individuals with well developed survival skills. Confinement on reserves caused decaying of survival and social skills, loss of status, and role confusion. Many individuals became dispirited and disempowered, and numerous social problems emerged due to colonization, cultural interference, and subsequent dependent status. Symptoms of disempowerment include addictions, family violence, poor health, suicide, child welfare involvement, and high rates of incarceration. Social workers and social service programs must assist in breaking cycles of dependency and disempowerment; however, these social problems are complex and often resistant to treatment. Effects of colonization and trauma might be ameliorated by applying Warrior philosophies. Because Warriors are the direct opposite of disempowerment, the Warrior identity can serve as an antidote for cycles of hopelessness, escape/avoidance behaviour, and dependency. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine whether Warriorship philosophy as a model for social work practice can have relevance, meaningful support, or positive benefits for descendants of Warrior societies. Studying Warriors might provide information about survival skills and transformational knowledge useful in solving modem social problems. To build a picture of Warriorship, a literature review explored Warrior concepts followed by a talking circle composed of traditional Aboriginal social workers. Elders and cultural practitioners were consulted throughout the study to ensure proper protocols were followed. Findings revealed similarities, differences, and connections between Warriorship and social work, especially regarding power and authority. Empowerment as a Warrior means developing abilities to handle freedom wisely and responsibly. Warriors are ideals of character, attitude, and behaviour, and Warriorship is still seen as an important and significant role. Social work is another kind of battle for contemporary Warriors. This study has relevance for evolving Indigenous social work practice models. Social work in the past has contributed to disempowerment within Aboriginal communities. New models of social work practice are needed. Warrior philosophies, concepts, and methods can be applied to developing assessment or treatment models, and prevention strategies.
dc.format.extentxviii, 319 leaves ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationBig Plume, S. (2008). Warriors, empowerment, and social work (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/1780en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/1780
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/102781
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.facultySocial Work
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleWarriors, empowerment, and social work
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 1772 520708935
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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