My name is Ursula Filis and I am a Treaty Status First Nations and Serbian woman, and Band member of the Pinaymootang First Nation in Treaty 2 Territory. I am a graduate of a BSW and MSW from the University of Manitoba and am currently completing my dissertation for a Doctor of Education in the Werlkund School of Education at the University of Calgary. My research is titled "Experiences of Indigenous Women Scholars in British Columbia: An Anishinaabe Case Study on the Impacts of Institutional Culture and Workload on Wellness." I have a genuine and personal dedication to the pursuit of creating, supporting, and enhancing Indigenous post-secondary programs that are meaningful to First Nation communities and non-Indigenous allies.
I have over 10 years of social work experience in the field of child welfare, Indigenous community development, policy and governance, harm reduction, and violence against women. I have over 10 years of post-secondary teaching experience in social work and Indigenous education. In addition, I have held positions as program chair, co-chair of education council, board member of a child abuse and advocacy organization, vice-president of a post-secondary institutional union, curriculum, policy and governance developer with various post-secondary institutions and First Nation communities and working with Elders to provide Anishinaabe traditional teachings n community.
My teaching philosophy is founded upon a decolonial and critical feminist perspective and am guided by my traditional Anishinaabe teachings. I believe in the importance of providing social work and human service students with an education that addresses structural and systemic oppression, racism, and discrimination. My areas of teaching include social work theory and practice, family systems, mental health, addictions, community development, and Indigenous social work practice and wellness.