SHANE
YOUNG
T E A C H I N G
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2018-Present: Assistant Professor of Social Work
Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University*
2021-Present: OPSEU Instructor
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, George Brown College
PREVIOUS ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2020-2022: Instructor
Social Service Worker Program, First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI)
2018-2021: CUPE Instructor
Department of Social Work, Trent University
2017-2018: CUPE Instructor
Chang School of Continuing Education, and
School of Social Work, Toronto Metropolitan University
2017-2018: CUPE Instructor
Seneca College
2017: OPSEU Instructor
School of Community and Social Services
George Brown College
ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS
2019-Present: Academic Coordinator
Certificate in Indigenous Knowledge and Experiences
Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto Metropolitan University
2020-Present: Course Coordinator
SWP 435: Indigenous Approaches to Social Work Practice
School of Social Work, Toronto Metropolitan University
2021-Present: Course Coordinator
SWP 301: Decolonizing Anti-Oppression Practice
School of Social Work, Toronto Metropolitan University
*Formally Ryerson University
W H A T P E O P L E A R E S A Y I N G
“Shane is a respectful and diligent educator. He uses humility, humour, and experiential learning to engage students and ‘bring them on a transformative journey. The students were engaged, open, and active learners. Rather than relying on slides and stand-up lecturing, Shane facilitated a circle format and used ‘hooks’ to engage them in the discussion and enable their own learning. I have no doubt that Shane will only grow stronger in his role as an outstanding educator – it was a pleasure to be in his classroom!" — Faculty Member
“Shane is a lovely instructor who wants all of his students to succeed in his class. He is more than helpful when explaining expectations from the class on assignments and provides constructive feedback that can be used in order to better ourselves when the next assignment becomes due. This course [SWP435: Indigenous Approaches to Social Work Practice) is a perfect way to integrate other knowledges into the social work profession and prepares students to work in the field with clients who identify as Indigenous” — Undergraduate Social Work Student
C O U R S E S
GRADUATE & UNDERGRADUATE
Indigenous Knowledges in Social Work (SK8208)
Social Work Research Part II (SWP638)
Indigenous Health and Well-being (SWP933)
Foundations to Social Work II (CVSW15B)
Preparing for Social Work Practice (SWP201)
Decolonizing Anti-Oppression Social Work Practice (SWP301)
Indigenous Approaches to Social Work Practice (SWP435)
Social Work Research: Part II (SWP638)
Spirituality in the Helping Professions (SWP930)
Social Work Field Education Placement (SWRK3001Y)
CERTIFICATE & COLLEGE
Indigenous Peoples, Politics, and Reconciliation (CINT910)
Indigenous Knowledges in Practice (CVSW932)
Canada’s Story: An Indigenous Perspective (CINT923)
Introduction to Indigenous Worldviews (CINT922)
Canada’s First People (CVSW15A)
Canada’s First People (CLT100)
Foundations of Sociology (SOC100)
Introduction to SSW Practice I (SSW101)
Introduction to Social Work Practice II (SSW104)
Family Dynamics (HPP155)
R E S E A R C H O V E R V I E W
My research program was initiated by my curiosity about identity formation and maintenance, in relationship with those who are also influenced by tactics of settler-colonialism, where navigation and negotiation of spaces and places based on dominant measures are all too common. Moreover, this research project expands my research scholarship, based on my previous master’s research, Are You Native Enough? An Analysis of White Passability Among Indigenous Peoples in an Urban Context, which focuses on the exploration of the colonial interference imposed onto Indigenous identities through forced removal and assimilation and unearthing ways in which healing can create personal and cultural sovereignty.
PAST PROJECTS
My past research endeavors remind me that our research interests should not simply be about research topics, but an interest in the way we do research. My past and current research rely heavily on the relationships he has built with Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. My major research paper (MRP) of my Master of Social Work degree, Are You Native Enough? An Analysis of White Passability Among Indigenous Peoples in an Urban Context, focused on the exploration of the colonial interference imposed onto Indigenous identities through forced removal and assimilation and unearthing ways in which healing can create personal and cultural sovereignty. A review of the neoliberal ideologies and discourse was pertinent to unearth how Indigenous identities were formulated and maintained within an urban setting such as Toronto, as a reference point of context. This research project was possible due to my research throughout the years of relationship building, mutual work efforts, and proven trust.
My work as part of a research group, led by Dr. Jeanette Schmind, focused on contextualizing (imported) Western social work knowledges and local worldviews and needs. Moreover, how individualized social work perspectives, particularly those aimed at social control, have sometimes harmed local populations. The research examined contextualized education in South Africa and Canada/Turtle Island, two countries that have an explicit agenda regarding local responsiveness, based on interviews with more than 20 faculty from the two countries as well as national focus groups to examine the perspectives of faculty in applying contextualized social work education and illuminated classroom content and strategies.
CURRENT PROJECTS
My current research, Politics, Identity, & Relations in the Development of the Qalipu First Nation in Kataqmkuk (Newfoundland), is a twelve-month pilot project that will expand my research program, based on my previous research, Are You Native Enough? An Analysis of White Passability Among Indigenous Peoples in an Urban Context, this new research study I am proposing will expand the concept of a cultural critique of dominant, modern relationships to "identity and authenticity" to include the 2017 decision under a federal government review of the founding list of the Qalipu First Nation of Southwestern Newfoundland. Moreover, to unearth the implication of the points-based criteria to authenticate what constitutes Indigeneity or "Indianness" under the Indian Act.
P U B L I C A T I O N S
CHAPTERS
Young, S., N. (2019). Attaining Wholeness Through Re-claiming Indigenous Identity & Spirituality. In Njoki Wane, Rose Torres, and Dionisio Nyaga, eds., Transversing & Translocating Spirituality: An Epistemological, Theoretical and Pedagogical Conversation. Nsemia Inc. Toronto, Ontario. Publishers.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Young, S. N. (2022). Where is Home? A Critical Review of Settler Colonialism & Mi'kmaw Claims to Authenticity in Newfoundland. Journal of Citizenship Studies. (Forthcoming, late 2022)
Young, S., N. (2020). Politics, Identities, & Relations in the Development of the Qalipu First Nation in Taqamkuk (Newfoundland). In Progress.
Young, S., N. (2020). Mi’kmaq Migration & Culture: Influence of Settler Colonialism on Re-location & Re-establishment. (In Progress).
Young, S. N. (2017). Are You Native Enough? An Analysis of White Passability Among Indigenous Peoples in an Urban Context (master’s thesis). York University, Toronto, Canada.
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
ORAL
Schmid, J., Young, S.N., Morgenshtern, M. (2019). Circles of Conversations: Contextualized Social Work Education. Paper presented at Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS), Vancouver, BC.
Schmid, J., Young, S.N. (2019). Contextualized Social Work Education: Multiple Perspectives. Paper presented at Canadian Conference on Medical Education, Kamloops, BC.
Young, S.N. (2018). Critical Social Work with Indigenous Peoples; Redefining Reciprocity & Healthy Relationships. Paper presented at Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS), Saskatoon, SK.
POSTER
Hui, C., Parsons, M., Young, S.N., Hillier, S., Stratton, T.G. (2020). Beyond mending bridges: Decolonizing research structures through co-creating respectful and equitable Indigenous-settler PLHIV partnerships. Poster presented at The 29th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research Le 29e Congrès annuel canadien de recherche sur le VIH/sida, Quebec City, QC.
Hui, C., Parsons, M., Young, S.N., Hillier, S., Stratton, T.G. (2020). Beyond building more bridges: Decolonizing research structures through co-creating respectful and equitable Indigenous-settler PLHIV partnerships in a multi-site Canadian Cohort. Poster presented at AIDS 2020: 23rd International AIDS Conference (Virtual).
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Award Canada
Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral.
The Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council (SSHRC), $105,000
Dean’s PhD Scholarship
Trent University, $16,000
Graduate Research Fellowship
Trent University, $20,000
York Masters Fellowship
York University, $11,000
Indigenous Youth Leaders at Youth
Indigenize the Senate 2019, Nominated
Nominated By: Alejandro Mayoral Banos,
Executive Director, Indigenous Friends Association