A decade has passed since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its 94 Calls to Action. This 10-year mark serves as a powerful moment for reflection, accountability, and a renewed commitment to the path of reconciliation. As social workers, we must confront our profession’s direct role in the genocide of Indigenous peoples. This is not an easy truth, but it is one we must own to move forward with integrity.
The social work profession Is not a passive bystander; it’s an active participant in colonial systems that caused profound harm. Our primary goal as a regulatory body is to ensure public safety through the safe and ethical delivery of social work practice as part of our framework for safe(r) social work practice. To do this, we must first acknowledge where our profession has failed and the devastating consequences of those failures.
The profession’s complicity in genocide
We must be unequivocal in acknowledging the harm caused by social work’s actions. Our profession’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the colonial project, and this history has left a painful scar on Indigenous communities that persists to this day.
- Support for Residential Schools: The social work profession played a role in supporting the implementation of residential schools. This system forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families, severing their connections to culture, language, and community. The intergenerational trauma resulting from this cultural genocide is a heavy burden that Indigenous families continue to carry.
- Promotion of Assimilation Policies: Our profession endorsed discriminatory policies, including the Indian Act, which were designed to assimilate Indigenous peoples. This colonial mindset viewed Indigenous ways of life as inferior and promoted Western approaches as the only valid path to “civilization,” stripping Indigenous peoples of their autonomy and self-determination.
- Role in the ’60s Scoop’: Social work was central to the child welfare approaches that led to the ’60s Scoop. Thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous homes, further eroding their cultural identity and sense of belonging. This practice was a direct continuation of the assimilationist goals of the residential school system.
- Failure to Address Structural Inequities: For decades, social workers often assessed Indigenous families through a narrow, colonial lens. Systemic issues like poverty, inadequate housing, and lack of resources—direct results of colonialism—were misinterpreted as individual failings or parental neglect. This failure to recognize and address structural inequities led to countless unnecessary and harmful family separations.
Our commitment to a new path
Acknowledging these past wrongs is the first step. The next, more difficult step is taking meaningful action to ensure these harms are never repeated. As a profession, we have made commitments to walk a different path—one grounded in humility, respect, and a genuine desire for reconciliation.
Regulation itself is a colonial construct. The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) recognizes that we alone do not have the power to undo centuries of harm. However, by building relationships and working in partnership with Indigenous communities, it is our hope that our intent can contribute to the process of decolonization.
One of our most significant efforts has been to engage in deep dialogue with Indigenous peoples and social workers to redefine the foundational document of our profession in this province. Today, we are proud to launch the new 2026 Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
This new Code is intended to be more than just a document; it is a promise. It is the result of countless hours of collaboration, listening, and learning. It is built on a foundation of seven core values, including a new, explicit value: Pursuing truth & reconciliation.
The 2026 Code of Ethics: A framework for change
Our new Code of Ethics is a critical tool for guiding the profession toward a decolonized future. Its purpose is to provide a clear framework for ethical practice and accountability to the communities we serve. For Indigenous communities, we hope this Code represents a tangible change in the relationship between them and the social work profession.
The Code embeds the principles of reconciliation throughout its structure:
- Land Acknowledgement and Decolonization: It begins by acknowledging that we are in Mi’kma’ki, and commits to integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, like Two-Eyed Seeing, into our practice.
- Respect for Indigenous Rights: It includes specific standards requiring social workers to respect the rights, diversity, and needs of Mi’kmaq, other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. This includes honouring Elders, supporting Indigenous models of social work, and advocating for self-governance.
- Upholding Social Justice: The Code calls on social workers to advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples to be free from racism and systemic discrimination, in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Pursuing Truth and Reconciliation: A dedicated value now guides our members to learn the history of residential schools, engage in allyship, and advocate for systemic changes in health, justice, and child and family well-being.
- Culturally Responsive Services: The Code emphasizes the importance of integrating Indigenous worldviews and knowledge systems into professional practice, striving towards services that are more culturally safe and responsive.
Moving forward together
The launch of the 2026 Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice marks a significant milestone, but it is just the beginning of our ongoing journey. This new Code is a crucial step toward rebuilding trust and transforming the social work profession into a force for justice and healing, rather than one that perpetuates harm. Throughout October and November, the NSCSW will embark on a roadshow to engage with social workers and Nova Scotians about the new Code. These sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about the updated document and prepare for its implementation.
- Sydney: Oct 15
- Antigonish: Oct 16
- Yarmouth: Nov 4
- New Minas: Nov 5
- Halifax: Nov 21
- Online: Date TBD
The new Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice will officially take effect on February 1, 2026, coinciding with the completion of member renewals.
As we mark ten years since the Calls to Action, we remain steadfast in our commitment to this work. We will continue to listen, to learn, and to act in solidarity with Indigenous communities. We invite all social workers, and the public we serve, to join us in this ongoing process of truth, reconciliation, and transformation.