The Social Worker / Le travailleur social

As we close out National Social Work Month, The Social Worker Podcast is honoured to feature Lisa Mishibinijima, whose spirit name is Kinew Kwe (Golden Eagle Woman). Lisa is an Anishinaabekwe of the Bear Clan and a band member of M’chigeeng First Nation. Before any professional role, she grounds herself in her relationships — as a daughter, sister, mother, wife, cousin, friend, hunter, and helper. These responsibilities guide how she moves through the world and how she shows up in community. Living and working in Sioux Lookout since 2009, Lisa has spent over 20 years supporting community wellness through roles in harm reduction, youth justice, counselling, shelters, management, and frontline service. Today, she works with the Hepatitis C Program at Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, continuing to support healing and wellness in First Nations communities.  In this episode, Lisa reflects on: The importance of relationships and accountability in social work How land-based knowledge and culture shape her practice Supporting community through harm reduction and frontline care The role of lived experience in guiding healing and wellness The land as teacher and guide in both life and practice 

Alors que nous continuons à célébrer le Mois national du travail social et le centenaire de l’ACTS, le balado Le Travailleur social a l’honneur d’accueillir Marie-Michèle Doiron et Gaëlle Troude, de l’AQTS.    Marie-Michèle est travailleuse sociale depuis 2009 et exerce à Québec, où elle travaille au sein du réseau de la santé et s’implique actuellement dans le milieu syndical et les négociations. Gaëlle, travailleuse sociale depuis l’obtention de sa maîtrise, a bâti sa carrière dans des milieux communautaires et institutionnels à Montréal, avec un engagement profond envers la collaboration et la pratique systémique. Dans cet épisode spécial, Marie-Michèle et Gaëlle racontent comment leur parcours personnel dans le travail social a commencé, ainsi que le cheminement qui a mené à la création de l’Association québécoise des travailleuses sociales et travailleurs sociaux (AQTS) — une association professionnelle dédiée à la représentation et à la défense des travailleurs sociaux à travers le Québec.      Dans cet épisode, elles reviennent sur :  Leurs parcours uniques vers le travail social et ce qui continue d’inspirer leur pratique   La création d’une association provinciale et l’importance d’une voix collective  La distinction entre les ordres professionnels, les associations et les syndicats  La nécessité d’une plus grande reconnaissance et visibilité de la profession  Leurs espoirs pour l’avenir du travail social au cours des 100 prochaines années  

The Social Worker Podcast is honoured to feature Karen Lok Yi Wong — a registered social worker whose work has shaped dementia care, aging policy, and equity in elder support systems across Canada. Karen brings years of practice experience across community senior services, long-term care, and geriatric acute care, alongside a deep commitment to research and advocacy for older adults and their families. Her contributions have been recognized with the Inspiring Social Worker of the Year Award and the Distinguished Service Award. In this episode, Karen reflects on: Supporting older adults and people living with dementia The realities of transnational family caregiving How structural forces — including racism — shape access to dementia supports Addressing stigma and barriers within Chinese communities The role of research in advancing anti-oppressive gerontological social work Through both practice and research, Karen’s work highlights how social workers can challenge inequities and improve systems of care for aging communities. 

As we continue celebrating National Social Work Month and 100 years of social work in Canada, we’re honoured to feature Julia Falzarano on The Social Worker Podcast. Julia shares how her journey began in pediatric health and nutrition before she realized social work aligned more deeply with her holistic values. After completing her BSW, Julia found her calling in grief and loss. In this powerful conversation, Julia reflects on: Anticipatory grief and how loss reshaped her practice Building her own practice with a bereavement leave fund  The barriers people face when seeking grief support Her vision for a clearer “map” to help individuals and families navigate grief resources Through free monthly workshops for young people navigating loss, Julia is expanding access to grief-informed care and raising awareness about the fragility and sensitivity of grief. This episode reminds us that social work is everywhere - in policy spaces, in private practice, in community workshops, and in the quiet moments of holding space for loss.  

The Social Worker Podcast is here!As we celebrate National Social Work Month and 100 years of CASW, CASW is proud to launch it's special 100-year podcast series with its very first episode featuring Erin Beckwell.In this inaugural conversation, Erin reflects on:Why she chose social workThe defining moments that shaped her practiceThe power of mentorship and lived experienceHer hopes for the next 100 years of the professionThis episode sets the tone for the series with a thoughtful, honest, and grounded conversation, in values that continue to shape social work across generations.National Social Work Month is about recognizing the impact of social workers in communities across the country and this conversation is a powerful reminder of why this profession matters.For more information on National Social Worker Month 2026 and The Social Worker Podcast, visit https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/national-social-work-month-2026