DEI in Regulation
REGULATOR SHOWCASE The Alberta College of Social Workers and DEI Contributed by ACSW staff
T
he Registrar magazine spoke with the voting seat to the committee’s Chairperson, a leaderAlberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) ship decision to ensure that Indigenous representato illustrate their journey in learning, under- tion was firmly a part of ACSW’s top decision-makers. standing, and implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and upholding Indige- Membership on the committee includes up to seven nous rights and culture within regulatory operations. Indigenous Registered Social Workers (RSWs) ap-
ACSW
pointed by Council and up to three ex-officio members invited to share their wisdom/expertise. The membership for this committee is extended to all Indigenous identifying RSWs in Alberta to recognize the diverse cultures and lived experiences within Alberta’s Indigenous cultural paradigm.
Looking back at the history of the Alberta College of Social Workers, the Council, who is charged with the college’s governance, has prominently valued Indigenous perspective and involvement in the regulation The ACSW recognizes the inherent individual and and governance of Alberta’s social work profession. collective rights of Indigenous peoples and the importance of working together to support, educate and Approximately 20 years ago, in an act of formal rec- guide social work practice, both by social workers who ognition, ACSW’s Council established the Indige- identify as Indigenous as well as to those who identinous Social Work Committee, whose purpose is to ad- fy as allies – all serving Indigenous people and comvise Council on matters related to Indigenous Social munities. ACSW recognizes that in order to change Work practice. In doing so, Council designated a full the historical oppressive systems that Indigenous 4
THEREGISTRAR.CA
