Amanda Walker

Background

About Amanda Walker

After completing a two-year Community, Family, and Child Studies diploma at Camosun College, I transferred to the University of Victoria to complete a bachelor's degree in Child and Youth Care with an Indigenous Specialization. I was given the opportunity to do my third-year practicum with Fairfield Gonzales Community Association (FGCA), who then hired me on as a Youth Worker. I went on to work for an additional 2 years at the FGCA, co-facilitating a drop-in program. I worked with youth ages 9-15, giving them a space to grow and ask questions. My co-facilitator and I taught the youth about a wide variety of things, including boundaries, consent, bodily autonomy, safety, honesty, human rights, critical thinking, etc. During my final year as a youth worker, I also began working as a Social Worker with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC), supporting and advocating for Indigenous families to either have their children returned to their care or to gain regular visitation with them. Much of my time has been with families in crisis, supporting them through trauma and working together with Ministry social workers to find a suitable conclusion for all involved. I worked collaboratively with many outside organizations to best build a support network for my clients. Recently, I've been employed as a Collaborative Facilitator with South Island Wellness Society. I facilitate various meetings between Indigenous families, their supports, and the Ministry of Child and Family Development to support the health and safety of Indigenous families and the return of Indigenous children to family and community.