An Indigenous scholar’s journey towards decolonizing social work

Abstract

Tonóéva Mo'⊙htáeváótséva ná-heševehe. Ná-tsėhéstahe. I seek to begin this work in a good way by introducing myself and my nation; I am Dr Autumn Asher BlackDeer, sovereign member of the mighty Southern Cheyenne Nation. It is an honor to be of the Little Calf bloodline, to be part of the legacy of my grandfather Sam B. Deer, a sacred arrow keeper, medicine man, and camp crier for our people. As my ancestors have served our people and created a path for future generations, I strive to do the same, honoring their legacy and furthering their work, standing on the shoulders of giants. The present work is a weaving of a storytelling approach with an academic lens to sharing pieces of my journey as an Indigenous scholar towards decolonizing social work.