Derek Chewka, Social Work ’92, remembers hearing the call to serve others at a very young age. “My mom was always involved and helping in some capacity. As I got older, I would tag along to help.” He says that an early start led him to pursue an education – and a career – in social work. Now, he’s giving back to the place he says changed him and serving as one of the newest members of the university’s Alumni Advisory Council (AAC).

Chewka divides his professional time between his senior project manager role at Indigenous Services Canada and his course instruction and support role in the social work program at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. He has also been a sessional instructor with MacEwan University and a number of other institutions for more than a decade.

Here, Chewka shares his favourite MacEwan memories, what keeps him going and how his practice and philosophy bring together Western and Indigenous knowledge. 

What drew you to study social work? 

When I moved away from home and wasn’t tagging along to help my mom in the community, I felt something was missing. I met with an advisor who showed me the endless possibilities a social work diploma could offer. I landed in MacEwan’s Social Work program and never looked back!

Do you have a favourite memory of your time as a student at MacEwan?

I met a core group of friends in the Social Work program, and we became very close. Some of my fondest memories are of us hanging out, sharing our lunches, trying to play intramural volleyball and working on assignments.

What inspired you to join the Alumni Advisory Council?

Part of it goes back to when I was that little kid watching his mom be of service to the community – it’s about giving back. Volunteering was usually a spur-of-the-moment thing for me, but I’ve been thinking about focusing my time more purposefully and intentionally in recent years. 

When I saw this year’s call-out for Alumni Advisory Council volunteers (which I had seen numerous times before), it felt like the right time for me to give back to the place that changed me and provided a solid foundation for me to practice social work in so many different ways and places.

The first line of your LinkedIn profile focuses on how your practice and philosophy bring together Western and Indigenous knowledge in practice. Do you see parallels/room for a similar approach in your role on the AAC?

Definitely. Since graduating with my Master of Social Work through the University of Calgary delivered at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills, I have explored the different places I can share that knowledge. 

MacEwan has proven to show leadership in answering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, and the AAC has been so open to exploring what that means for alumni. I am ecstatic to be a part of these initial conversations and can’t wait to see where this path takes us.

Social work is a challenging field. What keeps you going?

I believe the answer lies somewhere within the relationships that I have come to know. Social work can have clear entry and discharge points of service. In the Indigenous social work world, I may have the opportunity to see people repeatedly when I visit a community or Nation, while in ceremony or while attending a cultural event like a Round Dance. I am all about relationships. If I did not feel anything after making connections to people, I think I would have to pause and reflect in a serious way about what I was doing.

How do you see your role as an AAC member?

I want to challenge myself to volunteer in different ways. I will share my knowledge – where Indigenous knowledge can live and synthesize with Western approaches, for example – or in other areas where I feel I have something worthy to contribute. I am also excited to be a learner at the same time.

How do you spend your spare time?

Covid really squashed and put a damper on our social lives, and I have found it difficult, at times, to find my footing. So, I created a list of the things I was once actively involved in combined with a list of things I want to dip my toe in and try. Here is my list so far:

• Attend more concerts! I once was an avid concertgoer. I am happy to say this has been an easy one to return to.
• Playing recreational volleyball.
• Kayaking. Tried it, loved it and talked about doing it again for years. I will do it again!
• Travelling – Since Covid, my holidays and travel time have been minimal. More trips + more fun = a healthier Derek.
• I am saving room for one more thing – it has to be something I have never done before – I like a good challenge.