A new collaboration led by Talena Jackson, Field Education Manager in Nipissing University's School of Social Work, is set to transform social work field education across northern Ontario.
The Northern Ontario Field Social Work Education Consortium brings together field education staff from Nipissing University, Algoma University, Laurentian University and Lakehead University with a shared goal: to enhance practicum preparation and support for social work students in the region, especially those working in Indigenous and Francophone communities.
"I created the consortium to decrease field education silos in northern Ontario," said Jackson. "Our work with students, faculty and field education partners is complex and layered. It requires creativity, flexibility and a deep understanding of social work practices at every level: provincially, nationally and globally."
The consortium will provide targeted professional development opportunities for students and field instructors through a series of workshops, speaker sessions and intentional, facilitated fireside chats. These sessions are designed to increase awareness of contemporary social work practice and strengthen the supervision skills needed to support students in diverse placement settings.
A key focus of the consortium is Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP), a foundational theory in social work education. AOP helps students engage critically with systemic inequities and deepen their understanding of the profession's historical and ongoing impact on communities, particularly those affected by the Sixties Scoop and child welfare systems. Through practicum placements, students are encouraged to move beyond traditional classroom learning and apply their knowledge in real-world, community-based contexts.
"Many of our students come from fly-in or remote communities and return there for their practicums, where they navigate unique ethical dilemmas as both students and members of close-knit communities," said Jackson. "Rural supervision, anti-oppressive frameworks and emerging trends in social work are central to the consortium's work in helping students develop essential competencies."
Specialized workshops and placement opportunities tailored for Indigenous and Francophone communities will also be a cornerstone of the consortium's work. Jackson noted the important role of Nipissing's Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), which has helped create transformative practicum experiences for Indigenous students.
The consortium's success will be measured through increased access to professional development for students and field instructors, and ongoing collaboration with partner institutions. Evaluative tools such as surveys will help guide the initiative's growth.
"There are great opportunities in northern Ontario that await you," said Jackson. "Be kind, be bold, and most importantly, know your why."
