Do No Further Harm: Becoming a White Ally in Child Welfare Work with Aboriginal Children, Families and Communities by Grace H. Atkinson

A thesis for the degree of Master of Social Work. The purpose of this study is to support White social workers who wish to become allies in their child welfare work with Aboriginal children, families, and communities. It is based on the premise that it is crucial for Aboriginal children to remain connected with their families, communities, and cultures. To this end, White social workers need to consider practicing in a different way. Using the stories of five White social workers on their journey to become allies, this thesis identifies a process which can support other would-be White allies on their journey. An autoethnographical method informed by Critical Race Theory and White Racial and Social Development Models was used to create a thematic analysis of the journals of participating social workers. Five main themes emerged that contribute to a process others can use to guide their own journeys to becoming White allies in their practice.

ISBN 9781927848050   Letter-sized soft cover.