Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada - ASWNC

06/17/2026

05/13/2026

What an incredible opportunity especially as we face more extreme views

Upcoming Webinar: Working with New Clients who Hold Violent Extremist and Conspiratorial Views. Happening on May 13, 2026 at 11am ET

This webinar provides an overview of how social workers can assess and engage with clients who hold extremist and conspiratorial worldviews. Participants will learn signs of extremism, ethical principles of engagement, and communication strategies to support safety and rapport building.

Register here: https://buff.ly/eZ3x1jB

04/01/2026

This is no April Fool's joke, you can renew your membership on our new website!!

Driving Change Through Collective Action About the ASWNC At the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada Learn more Follow us on social media Facebook

01/07/2026

Grounded Intentions for Northern Practice
A new year often brings long to-do lists and big goals. For social workers in the North, it can feel like there is always another crisis, another report, another family or community that needs support.
Today, we invite a slower, more grounded start.
An intention can be simple and specific, for example:
• “I will pause and breathe before difficult conversations,”
• “I will ask Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners what support they need,”
• “I will protect time for rest, reflection, and supervision,”
• “I will use my role to challenge policies that harm northern families.”
You might choose one intention for your personal wellness, one for your direct practice, and one for advocacy or systems change.
In the comments, you are warmly invited to share:
What intention are you carrying into your social work practice in 2026?

01/04/2026

World Braille Day / Accessibility in the North
Today is World Braille Day.
Accessibility is part of human rights, and of ethical social work practice in every community across the North. For blind, low-vision, and otherwise disabled community members, “access” can mean many things: information in formats people can use, safe transportation in winter, clear pathways through services, and support workers who listen and adapt.
Social workers in northern communities help create that access when we:
• Share information in plain language, large print, audio, or Braille where possible,
• Ask people what works for them rather than assuming,
• Advocate for accessible buildings, public spaces, and online services,
• Partner with disabled people and disability-led groups in program design.
Today, we honour blind and low-vision community leaders, Elders, and advocates, and all disabled people who have been building accessible communities long before systems caught up.
In the comments, you are invited to share:
What is one concrete way social workers can make our practice more accessible in the North this year?

12/31/2025

Carrying the Light Into 2026

On this last day of 2025, we pause to breathe, to look back, and to look ahead.
This year, ASWNC walked with you through celebrations, hard truths, and powerful conversations about Pride, wellness, anti oppression, Truth and Reconciliation, care and courage, remembrance, and community care in the North.
Thank you to every social worker, student, Elder, knowledge keeper, and community partner who has shared time, energy, and heart with us. Your work in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, communities, and on the land keeps the light burning across the territories.
As we step into 2026, ASWNC will continue to:
✨ Strengthen the northern social work voice in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
✨ Offer learning, connection, and support for members, including continuing education and community conversations.
✨ Advocate for policies, legislation, and practices that honour rights, dignity, and self determination for northern communities.
✨ Hold space for social workers to rest, reflect, and renew, so that our work remains grounded, ethical, and sustainable.
Wherever you are welcoming the new year, we wish you safety, warmth, and moments of genuine rest. Thank you for all the ways you hold the light, even on the difficult days.
Here is to 2026, and to the work we will keep doing together.

12/29/2025

Gratitude for a Northern Year

As the year comes to a close, we want to say thank you.
This year, ASWNC has travelled through many themes with you:
🏳️‍🌈 Pride and 2SLGBTQ+ affirmation.
🌱 Wellness and rest in the North.
🧭 Anti-oppression in practice.
🧡 Truth and Reconciliation.
💪 Care and courage.
🕯️ Remember, reflect, renew.
🌟 Holding the light.
None of these themes exist on their own. They live in your day to day work, your advocacy, your kindness, and your commitment to northern communities.
To every social worker, student, Elder, knowledge keeper, and community partner who has walked with us this year: thank you for holding the light in the places you stand.
We look forward to stepping into the new year together.

12/25/2025

Mixed Feelings, Shared Light

For many people, the holidays bring a mix of feelings.
Some of us are surrounded by family and laughter. Others are missing loved ones, working long shifts, navigating conflict, or spending this time alone. Many are doing all of these at once.
As social workers in the North, we know that:
✨ Joy and grief can share the same space.
✨ Rest is important, even when expectations are high.
✨ Community care matters, especially when the nights are long.
Tonight, we invite you to be gentle with yourself and others. However this season looks for you, your feelings are real, and you deserve care.
May we keep holding the light for one another, in big ways and small.

12/22/2025

Longest Night, Small Lights

Tonight is the longest night of the year for many of us in the North.
For some, this season brings joy and connection. For others, it can bring grief, loneliness, stress, or memories that feel heavy. All of these feelings are real, and all of them deserve care.
In social work, we pay attention to the small lights that keep people going:
✨ A warm meal, and a safe place to sleep.
✨ A friend who answers the late night text.
✨ A worker who says, “I am glad you are here.”
✨ A community that shows up for those who are struggling.
If this time of year feels hard for you, you are not alone. Reaching out for support is a strong and hopeful act.
On the longest night, even small lights matter.