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Within indigenous worldviews, nothing exists in isolation; everyone around the world is connected to each other, the planet and the universe. This holistic perspective, according to a Ryerson University researcher, has many applications and in particular, can make a major difference in the helping professions, such as social work.

Cyndy Baskin, a professor of social work who is of Mi'kmaq and Irish descent, has written Strong Helpers' Teachings: The Value of Indigenous Knowledges in the Helping Professions (Canadian Scholars' Press). Released in September, the book explores how indigenous perspectives can be of value to indigenous and non-indigenous students, practitioners and scholars in the human services.

"Much of my teaching in the academy covers the history of colonization, and how indigenous communities are dealing with, and healing from, the impact of this history," Baskin says. "But there's a danger in just seeing indigenous peoples as victims. So I also want to highlight indigenous ways of helping. Most people aren't aware of these teachings, and I think they are of value to all people of the world."

Strong Helpers' Teachings is based on Baskin's own knowledge and research, and her years of experience as a frontline social worker. The book also incorporates findings from other scholars, advice from indigenous elders, and feedback from indigenous and non-indigenous helpers, such as social workers and students in social work programs.

Among the indigenous teachings covered in her book, the idea of interconnectedness is especially beneficial, says Baskin. For example, when a helper is assisting a family to heal from domestic violence, promoting the healing of all family members, not just the immediate victim and victimizer, is preferable.

That process may first involve working with individual family members and eventually family counselling. At a certain point, the helper can also bring together friends and extended family members of the victim so they can support her. Finally, according to indigenous worldviews on healing and justice, family members should be given opportunities, should they wish, to safely meet with the one who has caused harm in order to express how the experience has affected them. That way, Baskin says, those who do harm will see the emotional, psychological and spiritual impact of their behaviour.

"It's important to be held responsible," she says. "Facing the people you have actually hurt is different from going to court and facing a judge you don't know." In fact, during Baskin's years as a social worker, putting the philosophy of interconnectedness into practice led to positive changes among people with whom she worked. For instance, victims and their children were better able to heal from their trauma, and those who caused harm were less likely to repeat their behaviours.

It's proof of the powerful effect of indigenous ways of helping, Baskin says. And while she hopes these views will find greater acceptance and appreciation in the helping professions, she cautions non-indigenous practitioners against using specific indigenous practices, such as sweat lodge ceremonies. Doing so, Baskin says, is a contemporary form of colonization - something indigenous communities have grappled with for centuries.

"There needs to be a balance," she says. "It's about learning from our worldviews and values, but not appropriating our practices."

An event to celebrate the launch of Strong Helpers' Teachings will be held on Oct. 27, 2011, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., at the Toronto District School Board's Aboriginal Education Centre (90 Croatia St., at Bloor and Dufferin Streets, one block south of Bloor. Call 416-393-9600). Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served.