Ruth Koleszar-Green

Ruth is interested in Onkwehonwe (the Mohawk word for "original people") knowledges, approaches and world views. She is a Mohawk woman and a member of the Turtle clan. As a teacher, Ruth utilizes Onkwehonwe pedagogies including storytelling, experiential learning, and reciprocal relationship building. As a researcher, Ruth is interested in ways to bring Onkwehonwe histories and knowledges into critical social work educations. She has engaged multiple Onkwehonwe communities in research projects that include: HIV/AIDS, food security, and education. As a community member and activist, Ruth is on numerous committees (including co-chairing the York wide 'Indigenous Council' and chairing of the School of Social Work's Aboriginal Advisory Committee) and volunteers at several Toronto and Ontario Aboriginal organizations (including as a community council member holding restorative justice circles at Aboriginal Legal Services and is a board member at Native Child and Family Services of Toronto)