Dr. Kathy Absolon

Ph.D. Indigenous Education University of Toronto

Associate Professor Laurier University

Director Centre for Indigegogy

Aniin! I am Anishinaabekwe from Flying Post First Nation. My academic journey has been a pathway of unlearning, healing, re-learning and finding who I am as an Indigenous woman & what my place is in the academy. My Anishinaabe name is Minogiizhigo kwe which translates to mean Shining Day Woman, the one who brings goodness & beauty to the day.

In 2008, I received my PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. “Kaandossiwn, this is how we come to know: Indigenous research methodologies in the academy” was my dissertation title with a focus on Indigenous research. I received my Masters in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1991. My Masters research was titled: “Healing the Fallen Eagle” with a focus on Indigenous knowledge in social work.

In 2007 I came to the Aboriginal Field of Study in the Faculty of Social Work (now Indigenous Field of Study) at Laurier with a blending of teaching, practice and community work. Prior to coming to Laurier, I taught in different universities across Canada.

In Saskatchewan at the Regina Campus, I was an assistant professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies at First Nations University of Canada from 2003-2007. In my social work practice, I was a program manager for B’saanibamaadsiwin Native Mental Health Program in Muskoka Parry Sound.

From 1992-1996, I was in British Columbia as an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Victoria where I co-designed and delivered decentralized community based Indigenous social work programs to a variety of Indigenous territories across British Columbia.

My practice background continues to include community work and support to Indigenous communities and organizations.