Reimagining Social Work Through Filipino Indigenous Ways of Knowing
The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) was pleased to support PhD student Alyssa Schenk as she presented her research at the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) Conference, held in Ottawa, Ontario, from June 4–7, 2026.
Alyssa presented her paper, Decolonizing Practice Through Decolonizing the Mind: Sikolohiyang Pilipino Beyond Borders, which explored the application of Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology) in studying and providing care to Filipinos. Her research emphasized its importance in understanding the lived realities and material conditions of the Filipino experience beyond borders, particularly across generations of Filipino Canadians. Her research examined the responsibilities of Filipino social workers, academics, and community care workers as colonized peoples living as settler-migrants. She argues that meaningful decolonizing social work practice begins with the decolonization of one’s own mind. She also discusses the reciprocal nature of Filipino culture and identity and how the process of decolonizing one’s mind provides the foundation for learning to respect and honour the land and its original stewards while fostering revolutionary futures.
By centring Filipino Indigenous epistemologies and reciprocal relationships, her work contributes to more culturally grounded and socially just approaches to social work research, education, and practice. As Canada sees the emergence of third- and fourth-generation Filipino Canadians, Alyssa’s research addresses an important gap in social work scholarship by advancing Filipino Indigenous ways of knowing and encouraging critical reflection on colonialism, identity, and solidarity.
Reflecting on the support she received, Alyssa shared that CSPSC funding enabled her to participate in the conference despite limited funding opportunities during her doctoral studies and the challenges of travelling from British Columbia to attend academic events in other provinces. She added that the conference provided valuable opportunities to connect with researchers, educators, and practitioners committed to advancing decolonizing and socially just approaches to social work.
Alyssa also noted that presenting at the conference allowed her to share Filipino Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies with a broader community of scholars and practitioners. She hopes these conversations will help expand this under-researched area while fostering more culturally responsive approaches to social work in Canada.
The CSPSC is proud to support graduate student research that advances critical scholarship, strengthens knowledge mobilization, and contributes to more equitable and inclusive communities.
For more information about the CSPSC Student Research Support Program, please visit the CSPSC website.