Reconciliation in Social Work: Creating Ethical Space Through a Relational Approach to Circle Pedagogy

Abstract

The Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action challenge educa­tional institutions to address the integration of Indigenous knowledges and teachingpedagogies into mainstream* 1 curriculum. Embedded within historical and current con­texts, this article emphasizes a decolonizing and relational approach to the applicationof circle pedagogy. This approach serves to foster the physical and inner ethical spacesneeded for engagement and dialogue in social work education and practice because ofongoing colonization and the ethical responsibility to move towards reconciliation.