MSW PresentationHAROLD PLISZKA

(ALMOST AN MSW)

Outline• River Story

• Connections with practice models

• Work examples

• Future ambitions

Babies in RiverRiver image source: http://bofh.srv.ualberta.ca/beck/pictures/aster08/P1010028.html

Baby images source: http://www.toysrus.com

Points of Intervention• Do you pull people out of the river?

• Do you stop them from going into the river?

• Do you teach them to rescue themselves?

Tandem CanoeingRed Deer River

Photo by Harold Pliszka

Solo CanoeingElbow River

Image Source: http://pliszka.com/2015/06/21/fathers-day-aboriginal-day-solstice/elbow-river/

Canoe & PaddleFather’s Day craft from my daughter.

Photo by Harold Pliszka

Swimming LessonsPhoto by Janet Pliszka

Image Source: http://www.mardaloop.com/

PFD & HelmetPhoto by Harold Pliszka

Paddling GearPhoto by Harold Pliszka

ProtestPhoto by Harold Pliszka

Image Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2013/10/06/upm-conflict-argentine-protestors-will-not-be-allowed-to-cross-to-uruguay-warn-officials

DangerPhotos by Harold Pliszka

Paddling through the Widowmaker on the Kananaskis River.

SafetyGet training, paddle in groups, wear helmet, PFD, drysuit or wetsuit, and booties.

Photo from my Facebook account.

Chaos and ComplexityImage source: http://pliszka.com/msw/chaos-complexity.html

Edge of chaos into chaos and back. Learning occurs and change is created.

Structural Social WorkImage source: http://pliszka.com/msw/practice.html

Structural Social Work overlaps with Anti-Oppressive Practice, Queer Theory and Feminism.

Oppressive Structures• For less wealthy people requiring credit, their boat and paddle will

cost more than if they were wealthy and did not need credit.

• Denial of systemic issues (i.e., refusal to research the reasons why people are dying).

• The charity model presented only saves people once they’re drowning.

• Bad policy (i.e., swimming lessons without rescue lessons).

• Education only available to privileged.

• Stereotyping (i.e., too lazy to be prepared) and victim blaming (i.e., it’s their fault).

• Punitive laws and jail.

Rescue & Swimming LessonsImage sources: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-ways-to-rescue-a-day-gone-bad/ & http://www.mardaloop.com/

Evidence is Important

IntegrationRESEARCH PRACTICUM WITH THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK

&INTERNATIONAL PRACTICUM WITH THE OECS COMMISSION

Left image source: http://ucalgary.ca | Right photo by Harold Pliszka

EvidenceImage sources: http://pliszka.com/msw/

Research presents evidence for use in policy.

Community DevelopmentPhotos by Amanda Barnes, Alina Auguste and Harold Pliszka

Amanda Barnes and I worked with the community to develop a social justice arts project.

GenderImages from the presentation.

St. Lucia & Beyond

Culture & Learning

ePortfolio

WHAT’S NEXT?

¿Lo que sigue?

Quelle est la prochaine?

Professional Developmenthttp://www.ucalgary.ca/pd/

Merci et BonnapwémidiTHANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON IN KWÉYÒL