Women of the Shining Light: Indigenous Mothers, Substance Misuse, Child Welfare, and the Sacred Teachings

Indigenous women experience intersecting histories of violence, abuse of various kinds, mental health challenges, incarceration, identity struggles and poverty, all which impact on their mothering. Often when mothers reach out for help, their interactions with the child welfare, health and social services systems are characterised by racism, stigma, and misinformation.  In this training, participants will come to understand why Indigenous women are the most marginalized people in Canada, and how this affects them and their children, how collaborative relationships are key, and how supports for them need to be updated to meet their needs. 

Women of the Shining Light is based on research conducted by Cyndy Baskin, the trainer, a non-Indigenous researcher, Indigenous research assistants and an Elder in Toronto, Ontario. From planning to publication, the project was guided by an advisory committee made up of Indigenous community and social services agencies representatives who work with Indigenous mothers with substance misuse challenges and child welfare involvement. The research methodology for this project was based in Indigenous worldviews, using Anishinaabe storytelling circles, the medicine wheel, and Seven Sacred Teachings. 

The content of Women of the Shining Light is grounded in pre-contact Indigenous knowledges/worldviews in terms of family supports and child raising, the history of colonization and its current impacts on Indigenous mothers, their families and communities. It looks at ways to lessen the tensions amongst them, substance misuse treatment and child welfare systems. Findings from the project highlights the need for Indigenous family healing centres, the building of relationships between mothers, counsellors and child welfare workers, diverse solutions and ways of helping, and the need for systemic change. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Apply a critical, anti-colonial understanding of how colonization continues to impact Indigenous women and how to be a part of dismantling racist, sexist systems. 
2. Identify the inaccurate information regarding pregnant/parenting Indigenous mothers in health and social services. 
3. Learn how to implement aspects of an Indigenous harm reduction model. 
4. Construct collaborative relationships between service providers, particularly within treatment services and child welfare. 
5. Develop a level of understanding of Indigenous research approaches. 

Who Should Attend  

This training is recommended for Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers who work with Indigenous women and their families in areas including child welfare, substance misuse treatment, health, midwifery, childcare, and family services. 

Course Dates & Format  

November 7, 14 & 21, 2024

1:00pm – 4:00pm ET

This is a 9-hour training. This course consists of three 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom. 

Instructor:  Cyndy Baskin, Ph.D. 

Cyndy Baskin is of Mi’kmaq and Celtic descent. Her clan is the fish and her spirit name translates to “The Woman Who Passes on the Teachings”. Cyndy started as a Social Worker and is now an Emeritus Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her teaching, research and writing interests involve how Indigenous worldviews can inform education, spirituality, anti-violence, mental health and decolonizing research methodologies. She conducts training in diverse areas for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers and educational institutions.

Training Fee 

Member Fee: $250.00 + $32.55 (HST) = $282.50

Non-Member Fee:  $325.00 + 42.25 (IHST) = $367.25

Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fees with a group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.

Continuing Education Information  

Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate.  

In-Service  

This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs. 

To Register 

Register for November 7, 14, & 21, 2024 here https://www.safeguards-training.net/course/women-of-the-shining-light/