worker truth circles

Speaking and witnessing worker truths is not for the faint of heart.  It is, however, a crucial beginning step forward in reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of the world.  Child welfare workers are complicit in causing harm. Truth telling and witnessing ignites our capacities for taking stock of the harms we’ve committed. It orients us toward our treasured humanity. 

The term “worker(s)” includes everyone who has held any child welfare position (past or present).

We acknowledge that we have committed harm and have been harmed in doing child welfare work. These identities are not fully distinctive but it is our intention to courageously focus on harms that we have committed. 


part 1: speaking and witnessing truths —

Sharing and witnessing worker truths is a holistic experience. We asked that participants committed to being fully present. We encouraged sharing and witnessing from our hearts, souls, spirits, minds, and bodies. Too often, unsettling child welfare worker experiences remain unacknowledged. Truth telling and witnessing connects us with ourselves and others. They directly challenge colonized practices of silencing which are deeply coded in child welfare systems.

part 2: debriefing and moving forward —

In this session, we asked, “What was your experience of truth-telling and witnessing in Part 1?”  A surprising and unpredictable range of reactions occured. Some people shared things about their work they have not shared before. Witnesses now hold these truths and needed to sort out their individual and collective responsibilities in carrying these truths forward. 

Once we shared our reactions and insights with one another, we will explored truth-telling and witnessing horizons in the workplace and beyond, and left participants with next steps for their truth-telling journey.