“Stop Deploying Your White Privilege on Me!” Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement with the Australian Association of Social Workers

Abstract

Historically, few Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers have joined and remained active members of the professional organisation that represents the interests of the social work profession, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). This research project uses qualitative methodology to investigate barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the AASW and propose how these barriers might be overcome. In offering insights from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the research findings address issues of social justice, equity, and social disadvantage. They suggest ways of improving cross cultural relationships and practices that will increase practice knowledge and promote a more effective and sustainable relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social workers and the AASW.

历史上，作为原住民以及托里海峡岛民的社会工作者很少参加并活跃于澳大利亚社工协会这一代表社工行业利益的组织。本研究使用定性方法分析了这些人参加澳社工协会的障碍，并对如何克服这些障碍建言献策。作者提供了原住民和托里海峡群岛岛民的看法，文章涉及了社会正义、公正、社会弱势等问题。文章提出了如何改善文化交叉关系，以增加实践方面的知识，在原住民及托利群岛岛民社会工作者与澳大利亚社工协会之间形成一种更有效、更持久的关系。

Keywords:

• Aboriginal
• Indigenous Issues
• Indigenous Social Work
• Social Work
• Torres Strait Islander

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge and thank all of the participants who gave their time and expertise for me to write this article. I would like to acknowledge and thank Annie and Amanda for all their hard work. Thank you to everyone who helped edit and gave their view of this publication.

Notes

¹ The term knowledges is used to indicate that Indigenous people have varying and layered knowledge. There is also diversity of knowledge across areas, gender, and ages.