Coast Salish Laws

Leslie-Ann spear-headed this project, formalizing the partnership between NIȽTU,O Child and Family Services Society and the Indigenous Law Research Unit in January 2018 in order to find a process of applying Coast Salish legal traditions to direct practice. This project culminated in the development of three resources, and an emerging practice framework:

“First, the Toolkit contains background information on the communities NIȽTU,O serves, the history of social work in Canada, Indigenous storywork and law, and some principles guiding Coast Salish Laws relating to child and caregiver nurturance and safety. Second, the two Activity Books, aimed at different age groups, contain worksheets, colouring sheets, lessons, and facilitation notes focused around narratives from the WSÁNEĆ, Lekwungen-speaking, and T’Sou-ke communities. Third, the Casebook includes the narratives from the WSÁNEĆ, Lekwungen-speaking, and T’Sou-ke communities that NIȽTU,O serves. As part of our collaboration, ILRU provided in-house training for NIȽ TU,O staff using these materials.”

Presentations:

First Nations Leadership Council (2021)

University of Washington (2021)

Our Children Our Way Conference (2022)

Our Children Our Way Conference (2024)

Loving Justice Conference (2024)

Facilitation:

All-Staff Facilitation—Worldview and Practice Integration (2021-2026)

Storywork Series—Application to Practice (2026)

Formal Citation:

Jessica Asch, Tara Williamson, and Leslie-Ann Paige (Indigenous Law Research Unit, NIȽ TU,O Child and Family Services Society), Toolkit: Coast Salish Laws Relating to Child and Caregiver Nurturance & Safety (Victoria: ILRU, 2021).