Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller and the School of Social Work have been working on embedding Indigenous Ways of Knowing into the program (MICHAEL WILKINS/University of Windsor)
As part of the launch of the Turtle Island — Indigenous Student Services Centre's Indigenous Allyship Guide, we are asking allies across campus to reflect on their allyship journeys.
Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller is director of the UWindsor School of Social Work.
Q: How would you describe what Indigenous allyship means to you?
Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller (WA-M): For me, it means recognizing that indigenous Ways of Knowing carry generations of wisdom, not only for Indigenous peoples but also for folks like me that are, literally, uninvited guests on the land. It means making every attempt that I can to learn about Indigenous Ways of Knowing and traditional practices. It also means speaking out when I feel those ways are being ignored.
Q: What are some of the most important lessons you have learned on your allyship journey?
WA-M: I’ve learned to interrogate my own biases and understandings about a number of things, including what constitutes as “knowledge” and teaching, and my understandings about my relationship with the natural world around me.
As a school of Social Work, we have had multiple discussions about the historical role of our profession in marginalizing and oppressing Indigenous communities, particularly through child protection services. We have had to acknowledge this in our curriculum and to look for ways in which we can truly be anti-oppressive in our work.
Q: What actions have you taken within your role to support Indigenous students, communities or reconciliation initiatives?
WA-M: We have worked on bringing in Indigenous guest speakers to classes and compensating them for their time and expertise with a gift or financial compensation. We have ensured that faculty, staff and students are aware of events in the community that are sponsored by Indigenous groups, and we encourage attendance. We were fortunate enough to offer the Kairos Blanket Exercise to faculty and students. This exercise is an experiential learning opportunity for non-Indigenous people to learn about and in some small way experience the ways in which Indigenous peoples in Canada have been mistreated. In 2022, the School of Social Work unveiled a painting by John Williams, an Ojibway artist from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, ON. It still hangs on the first floor of the Greenshield Hall. We have also been working with the Indigenous Students Society to provide them a space here in Greenshield Hall where they can meet on a regular basis.
Q: What impact do you hope your efforts will have on Indigenous students and the broader campus community?
WA-M: I’m hoping that Indigenous students will hear members of the social work profession speak to how social work was complicit in oppressing Indigenous communities, but that we are owning up to the past and moving forward to be a profession that values the knowledges and experiences of Indigenous Peoples.
Q: What does meaningful reconciliation look like to you within a university setting?
WA-M: Meaningful reconciliation means ensuring opportunities for Indigenous knowledge to be incorporated into our curriculum, for Indigenous students to feel like their Ways of Knowing are valued and respected and for non-Indigenous faculty and students to seek out the perspectives and knowledge of Indigenous students.
Q: What is one commitment you are making to continue supporting reconciliation efforts?
WA-M: I am committed to continuing my efforts to connect with Indigenous communities in an effort to bring learning opportunities to the School of Social Work for students, staff and faculty.
To access the Allyship Guide, visit the Turtle Island website.