Skip to main content
Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo
Faculty of Social Sciences
CUPE work action information and updates

Visit McMaster's Labour Updates website for information on the current work action by CUPE Local 3906, Unit 1

Freeman Bonnie, Associate Professor

photo of Bonnie Freeman

Bonnie Freeman

Associate Professor

Faculty
School of Social Work

Area(s) of Interest:

Biography

Bonnie Freeman is Algonquin/Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, Canada..  She brings many years of practice experience, with work rooted in connections with Six Nations, the Hamilton Aboriginal Community, as well as many other Indigenous communities throughout Canada and the United States. Bonnie is also certified in Equine Assisted Growth and Learning and has developed and implemented in collaboration with the Hamilton Métis Women’s Circle, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning programs to Aboriginal High School students and Native women.

Research & Supervisory Interests

My research focuses on the importance of Indigenous cultural knowledge and epistemologies to the wellbeing of the Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous peoples. I am leading research that addresses themes regarding Indigenous children and youth; culture-based activism; and Two-Row Partnerships (alliance building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples).  As an Indigenous scholar, I have a commitment to building partnerships with Indigenous communities across North America and establishing appropriate and respectful forms of inquiry. The approaches I use in my research projects are framed by traditional Indigenous methodologies, such as visiting and storytelling.  In addition, I am continually developing an understanding of the Indigenous methods of journeying on land and water.

Administrative and Leadership Responsibilities:

  • Collaborative Social Work Committees:  Bridging Indigenous and Settlers Alliance; Anti-Oppressive Education and Circle of Indigenous Social Work Action – focus on Decolonizing Social Work and an Indigenous Pathway in Social Work.  Sept. 2015 to 2016.
  • McMaster Indigenous Education Council, McMaster Indigenous Studies Program, member since, Fall 2013.  Academic Chair, July 1, 2014 – 2017 (3 year term)
  • Aboriginal Issue Committee/ Circle of Indigenous Social Work Action, School of Social Work, member since 2009; Chair since 2011.
  • McMaster Field Instruction Committee, McMaster School of Social Work, member since Fall 2013.

Education

  • PhD, Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University (2015)
    • Dissertation title: The Spirit of Haudenosaunee Youth: The Transformation of Identity and Well-being through Culture-based Activism
  • MSW (Practice), McMaster University (2005)
    • Thesis title: Resiliency of a People: A Haudenosaunee Concept of Helping
  • BSW, McMaster University (2003)
  • BA (Sociology), McMaster University (2000)
  • Mohawk College Brant-Elgin Campus, Native Community Care Counselling and Community Development Program - Honours Diploma (1992)

Teaching

Undergraduate

  • Jan 2021 - May 2021: SOC WORK 4Q03 - Indigenizing Social Work
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sep 2020-Apr 2021: SOC WORK 3D06 & 3DD6 – Field Placement Seminar and Field Placements
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Jan 2020 - Apr 2020: SOC WORK 3I03 - Social Work with Indigenous People 
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sep 2019 - Apr 2020: SOC WORK 3D06 & 3DD6 – Field Placement Seminar and Field Placements
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sep 2018 - Apr 2019: SOC WORK 3D06 & 3DD6 – Field Placement Seminar and Field Placements
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sep 2018 - Dec 2018: SOC WORK 3Q03 - Indigenizing Social Work
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sep 2017- Apr 2018: SOC WORK 3D06 & 3DD6 – Field Placement Seminar and Field Placements
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sep 2017 - Dec 2017: SOC WORK 3I03 - Social Work with Indigenous People
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sept 2015 - April 2016: SOC WORK 3D06 & 3DD6 – Field Placement Seminar and Field Placements
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Jan 2015 – April 2015: ANTH 370/NAST 370 Issues in Contemporary Native Communities in Canada 
    • Six Nations Polytechnic and St. Paul University College, Waterloo, ON
  • Sept 2014 - April 2015: SOC WORK 3D06 & 3DD6 – Field Placement Seminar and Field Placements 
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON
  • Sept - Dec. 2014: SOC WORK 4G04 – Selected Topics: Indigenizing Social Work.
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON.
  • Sept - Dec., 2013: SOC WORK 4I03 – Social Work with Indigenous People. 
    • McMaster School of Social Work. Hamilton, ON.
  • April - June, 2013: SWREN 411R:  Integrative Practice:  Aboriginal Perspectives and Social Work.
    • Renison College, University of Waterloo. Waterloo, ON.
  • Sept – Dec, 2010: SOC WORK 4G03 – Selected Topics:  Indigenous Knowledge, Social Work and Social Change.
    • McMaster University, School of Social Work.  Hamilton, ON.
  • March - May, 2009: AK/SOWK 4270 – Canadian Indian Policy and Social Welfare:  Historical and Contemporary Contexts.
    • York University, School of Social Work.  Toronto, ON.
  • Jan. – April 2007: SWP 22 – Social Welfare Policies and Programs (part 2) 
    • Ryerson University, School of Social Work.  Toronto, ON
  • Sept. – Dec., 2006: AK/SOWK 4270 – Canadian Indian Policy and Social Welfare:  Historical and Contemporary Contexts. 
    • York University, School of Social Work.  Toronto, ON.

Graduate

  • Jan - Apr 2016: SW 722 - Topics in Advanced Social Work: Issues in Practice and Policy in Aboriginal Health.
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON
  • May - Aug 2016: SW705 – Direct Readings: Indigenous Approaches to Dispute Resolution
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON
  • Jan – April 2015:  SW705 – Direct Readings: Identity and ‘Whiteness’ 
    • McMaster School of Social Work, Hamilton, ON
  • May – August, 2014: SW705 – Direct Readings:  Indigenous Methodologies 
    • McMaster School of Social Work. Hamilton, ON 
  • Jan – April, 2014: SW722 – Topics in Advanced Social Work:  Anti-Oppression, Decolonization & Alliances with Indigenous Peoples. 
    • McMaster School of Social Work.  Hamilton, ON.
  • Jan - April, 2006: SW 722 - Topics in Advanced Social Work:  Issues in Practice and Policy in Aboriginal Health. 
    • MSW Program.  McMaster University, School of Social Work.  Hamilton, ON.

 

Research

Two Row Partnership – McMaster and Deyohahá:ge: Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Six Nations Polytechnic

The Two Row Research Partnership (TRRP) is composed of a case study group that includes indigenous scholars, graduate students and community-based scholars and graduate students  with the emphasize on capacity-building and co-creating the Two Row methodology to increase the accessibility of Indigenous humanities and social sciences research among academic and non-academic audiences.  This is done by generating and assessing Indigenous archives, mentoring emerging scholars, hosting workshops-conferences, publishing curricular and scholarly materials, and posting digital resources for the Six Nations community, as well building its network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous neighbors.

*Currently in the process of applying for SSHRC grant

Selected Publications

Contributions to Books

Freeman, B. M. (2018). The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma to Health: Policies, Relocation, Reserves, and Residential Schools. Chapter 3 in A. N. Arya & T. Piggott (Eds.), Under-Served: Health Determinants of Indigenous, Inter-City, and Migrant Populations in Canada (pp. 45-56). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.

Freeman, B. M. (2018). Fostering Resilience with Indigenous Youth. Chapter 8 in N. Arya & T. Piggott (Eds.), Under-Served: Health Determinants of Indigenous, Inter-City, and Migrant Populations in Canada (pp. 105-116). Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.

Freeman, B. M. (2017). Soup Days and Decolonization: Indigenous Pathways to Anti-Oppressive Practice. In D. Baines (Ed.), Doing anti-oppressive practice: Social justice social work (3rd ed., pp. 105-121). Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.

Baines, D. & Freeman, B.  (2011). Work, Care, Resistance, and Mothering: An Indigenous Perspective, (p. 67-80).  In Catherine Krull & Justyna Sempruch (eds), A Life in Balance?  Reopening the Family-Work Debate.  Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.

Freeman, B. (2011).  Indigenous Pathways to Anti-oppressive Practice, (p. 115-131), in D. Baines (ed), Doing Anti-Oppressive Practice: Building Transformative Politicized Social Work, 2nd edition.  Blackpoint, NS: Fernwood Publishing.

Freeman, B. (2007).  Indigenous Pathways to Anti-oppressive Practice (p. 95-110), in D. Baines (ed), Doing Anti-Oppressive Practice: Building Transformative Politicized Social Work, 1st edition.  Blackpoint, NS: Fernwood Publishing.

Journal Articles

Freeman, B. & Van Katwyk, T. (2020) Navigating the Waters: Understanding Allied Relationships through a Two Row Research Paradigm. Journal of Indigenous Social Development, Volume 9, Issue 1, p. 60-76. https://ucalgary.ca/journals/jisd E-ISSN 2164-9170

Freeman, B. M. (2019). Promoting global health and well-being of Indigenous youth through the connection of land and culture-based activism. Global Health Promotion, 26(3_suppl), 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757975919831253

Freeman, B. & Van Katwyk, T. (2019). Testing the Waters: Engaging the Tekéni Teyohà:ke Kahswénhtake - Two Row Wampum into a Research Paradigm. Canadian Journal of Native Education, U.B.C., Volume 41, Issue 1, p. 146-167.

Freeman, B. (2017). The Spirit of Indigenous Youth: The Resilience and Self-determination in Connecting to the Spirit and Ways of Knowing. In Journal of Indigenous Well-being: Te Mauri – Pimatisiwin. Volume 2, Issue 1, p. 60-75.

Haring, R. C., Hudson, M., Taualii, M., & Freeman, B. (2015).  First Nations, Maori, American Indians, and Native Hawaiians as Sovereigns: EAP with Indigenous Nations within Nations (GLOBAL).  Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, April 2015, 1 (1): p. 14-31.

 Haring, R. C., Freeman, B., Guiffrida, A. L. & Dennis, M. L. (2012).  Relationship Building for a Healthy Future: Indigenous Youth Pathways for Resiliency and Recovery.  Journal of Indigenous Social Development, 1 (1): p. 1-17.
 
Freeman, B. & Lee, B. (2007).  An Aboriginal Community Model.  Native Social Work Journal. 6: 97-120.

Presentations at Meeting

2018

Freeman, B., & Van Katwyk, T. River of Reconciliation: Understanding Cultural Differences and Building Relationships through Two Row Canoe Journey. CASWE-ACFTS Conference 2018. May 31, University of Regina.

Freeman, B., & Johnson, S. Building university/community relationships and canoe revitalization research through water and land-based pedagogy. CASWE-ACFTS Conference 2018. May 30, University of Regina.

2017

Freeman, B. Testing the Waters: Building Relationships & Alliances through a Two Row Research Paradigm. Awakening the Spirit Conference: Indigenous culture and language revitalization through land, water, and sky. October 18-20, Musqueam Nation, Vancouver, B.C.

Freeman, B. Testing the Waters: Building Relationships through a Two Row Research Paradigm. 4th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference. June 11-14, Alta, Norway.

Van Katwyk, T., & Freeman, B. Testing the Waters: Building Relationships through a Two Row Research Paradigm. CASWE-ACFTS Conference 2017. May 30.

Freeman, B. The Resilience and Self-Determination of Native American Youth: Connecting to the Spirit and Ways of Knowing. National USA Conference Society for Social Work and Research. January 11-15, New Orleans, LA.

2016

Freeman, B. The Spirit of Haudenosaunee Youth: Resilience & Self-determination of Native Youth. National Indigenous Social Work Conference. October 22-24, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Sinclair, R., Freeman, B., & Koleszar-Green, R. Reimagining the relationships: The TRC, Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, and Social Work Education Panel. Canadian Association Social Work Education-ACFTS & Congress 2016 Meeting. June 1, Calgary, Alberta.

Monture, R., Coleman, D., Freeman, B., & George, H. Testing the Waters: Understanding Allied Relationships through the Two Row Research Paradigm, for the Haudenosaunee and Allied Panel. Canadian Literary Association. May 31, Congress Meeting in Calgary, Alberta.

2015                                    

The Spirit of Haudenosaunee Youth: The Resilience and Self-determination of Native Youth at the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide, 7th Gathering in Mauri Ora, University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Researching Back, Researching Ourselves:  Building Not Extracting Community Knowledge and Resources in Black, Indigenous Communities and Communities of Colour – Roundtable Panel with Gitanijali Lena, Shazia Islam, Lori Chambers and Bonnie Freeman.  At the Critical Ethnic Studies Association Conference: Sovereignties Colonialisms: Resisting Racism, Extraction and Dispossession at York University.

2014

International Women’s and Children’s Health Conference.  Hamilton, ON:  Guest Speaker Workshop:  Rising Beyond The Conflict:  The Resilience and Well-being of Native Youth.  Hosted by the International Women’s and Children’s Health Group.

McMaster Indigenous Children’s Health Symposium.  McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton, ON.  Guest Speaker and panelist:  The Spirit of Native Youth: Self-determination and Resilience through Culture-based Activism.  Hosted by:  Aboriginal Health Interest Group, Global Health Committee, LGBTQ2+ Interest Group, Pediatric Interest Group and Public Health Interest Group.

The Spirit of Haudenosaunee Youth:  The Resilience and Self-determination.  Native Research Network Conference in Phoenix, Arizona

2013

United Voices:  A community forum on violence against Indigenous women in Canada.  Sponsored by the McMaster First Nations Student Association.

McMaster University:  Stopping Violence Against Women – Panelist.  Conference organized by: Dr. Maroussia Ahmed

The Spirit of the Youth Unity Run: the Mobility of Self-determination and Cultural Resiliency of Haudenosaunee Youth.  Panel Speaker.  Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference.  Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

2012

Emerging Models of Wholistic Healing: Cultural Resiliency, Vision &Self-determination.  Keynote Speaker. Wilfrid Laurier School of Social Work, Aboriginal Wellness Conference.

The Spirit of Haudenosaunee Youth: Reclaiming Identity & Well-being through Cultural Activism. Panel Speaker. Native American and Indigenous Studies Association Conference.  Uncasville, Connecticut

 

 

Community Connections

Six Nations, Hamilton Aboriginal Community and many other Aborigianl communities in Canada and United States