Decolonising Social Work

Learning Objectives

After completing this resource, you should be familiar with decolonisation in a social work context, as well as the concepts of Yindyamarra, Ngurrbul, and Wirimbirra.

Fern leaf

Social work as a profession has a troubled history with Indigenous people in many of the colonies or former colonies which continues today. In this article Sue Green, Bindi Bennett and Jessica Russ-Smith introduce the process of decolonisation.

Reflective Questions

  1. How does white privilege manifest itself in the context you live and practice in?
  2. Consider your practice. To what extent do you feel it is based on Yindyamarra?
  3. What steps can you take to achieve Wirimbirra?