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Aaniin! I'm pleased to be a part of Indigenizing Laurier and the growing Indigenous academic community here. I am Anishinaabekwe from Flying Post First Nation. My academic journey has been a pathway of unlearning, healing, re-learning and finding who I am as an Indigenous woman & what my place is in the academy. My Anishinaabe name is Minogiizhigo kwe which translates to mean Shining Day Woman, the one who brings goodness & beauty to the day.
In 2008, I received my PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. "Kaandossiwn, this is how we come to know: Indigenous research methodologies in the academy" was my dissertation title with a focus on Indigenous research. I received my Masters in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1991. My Masters research was titled: “Healing the Fallen Eagle" with a focus on Indigenous knowledge in social work.
In 2007 I came to the Aboriginal Field of Study in the Faculty of Social Work (now Indigenous Field of Study) at Laurier with a blending of teaching, practice and community work. Prior to coming to Laurier, I taught in different universities across Canada.
In Saskatchewan at the Regina Campus, I was an assistant professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies at First Nations University of Canada from 2003-2007. In my social work practice, I was a program manager for B’saanibamaadsiwin Native Mental Health Program in Muskoka Parry Sound.
From 1992-1996, I was in British Columbia as an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria where I co-designed and delivered decentralized community based Indigenous social work programs to a variety of Indigenous territories across British Columbia.
My practice background continues to include community work and support to Indigenous communities and organizations.
The Centre for Indigegogy: Indigenous Centred Wholistic Development
Currently, I am the Director of the newly formed Centre for Indigegogy. Indigenous centred wholistic development. We are engaging in an Indigenous Educators' Certificate in Indigegogy commencing August 2017 and a Decolonizing Certificate for educators beginning in September 2017. What's unique about our Centre is that it offers experiences for learning steeped in ceremony, circle work and in the presence of medicines. Our approach is wholistic and transformative. Watch for our Centres' updates for emerging opportunities in Indigenous wholistic approaches. You can go to: https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-social-work/centre-for-indigegogy/index.html to learn more about our Centre.
Prior to my PhD, I had been involved in community based capacity building research projects and research that gathered Indigenous knowledge and cultural teachings. Through my doctoral research, I have been primarily focused Indigenous research methodologies and how Indigenous researchers are bringing their worldviews to their research projects. I continue to participate on research projects that centre Indigenous worldviews as pivotal to the methods of the search. Recently, I have completed a research project utilizing Indigenous methodologies with the visual arts and media. This research involved gathering stories of hope, resilience, strength and survival that contribute to positive cultural mirrors of Indigenous peoples. This project is called "Resistance, resilience, strength and hope" and documents stories of survival from a survivor of the Indian Residential School legacy. Additionally, I am involved in a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funded project called “Walking the Prevention Circle: Re-searching community capacity building for violence prevention" as a co-investigator. This is a national scope project with diverse Indigenous communities in British Columbia, Nunavut, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
The Centre for Indigegogy is my most recent project. I spend much of my time growing, developing, collaborating so the Centre takes its place in responding to the TRC Calls to Action.
Contacting the Centre: You can reach our Centre by emailing us at indigegogy@wlu.ca or by contacting our Program Administrator, Giselle Dias at gdias@wlu.ca
- Honoured guest and speaker. Kaandossiwin, How we come to know. First Nations House, University of Victoria. 2013.
- Instructor Teaching Award, First Nations Technical Institute / Ryerson University. 2010.
- Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Nominee. The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Department of Adult Education, University of Toronto. 2004
- Eagle Feather Recipient: I was honored with an Eagle feather by the First Nations communities during my time as Program Coordinator at B’saanibamaadsiwin Native Mental Health. 2003.
Research assistantships may be offered depending on the stage of my projects.
I am on doctoral committees with Indigenous doctoral students in the Faculty of Social work. I have participated on doctoral committees where candidates are seeking guidance with Indigenous research methodologies and are seeking guidance on Indigenous issues.
If you are interested in volunteering with our Centre, please let me know.
I also have RA opportunities with the Centre for Indigegogy.
- Absolon, K. and Absolon, A. (Spring 2016). Exploring Pathways to Reconciliation. Consensus Journal.
- Absolon, K. (2016). Wholistic and Ethical: Social Inclusion with Indigenous Peoples. Journal of Social Inclusion. Vol. 4 No. 1. Pp. 44-56.
- Absolon, K. (2014). From my present I looked into the future to see my past. In Eastman, L (Ed.) First Lady Nation Vol. 1. Chapter 16 pp. 177-189. Kentucky, USA: Professional Woman Publishing. Book launch in August 2014.
- Absolon, Kathy and Dion, Susan (2014). Gathering learning stories: Community based researcher’s training manual. Understanding Community Processes that promote wellness through Walking the Prevention Circle (WTPC). SSHRC Project, 2014.
- Absolon-King, K. & King, H. (June 2012). Creating a Culture of Change for Aboriginal Children: A kidsLINK Report. kidsLINK, St. Agatha, ON.
- Absolon, K. (2011). Kaandossiwin, this is how we come to know: Indigenous worldviews and methodologies in search for knowledge. Winnipeg: Fernwood Publishing.
- Absolon, K. (2009). Navigating the landscape of practice: Dbaagmowin of a helper. In Sinclair, Raven, Hart, Michael, & Bruyer, Gord (Eds.). Wichitowin. Indigenous Social Work in Canada: Perspectives, practice futures. (pp. 172-199). Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.
- Absolon, Kathy (2009). Academic writing manual for Aboriginal students. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University.
Featured Articles
Culture Camp
Indigenous Reseach Methodologies
Elders Teachings & Indigenous Identity
Family Violence
Indigenous perspectives in Social Work
Community based research methodologies
Working with Groups
Community Organization
Traditional roles of Indigenous women
Introduction to Indigenous Studies (pre-contact to contemporary)
Contact Info:
Office location: Lyle Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Kitchener, ON.
Office hours: By appointment.
Languages spoken: English and basic Anishinaabe