Theresa Yetman

Theresa Yetman is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Her doctoral research, mithosiwin mîna mithokosiwin matôtisân (the beauty and gifts of the sweat lodge), is grounded in Indigenous methodologies, relational accountability, Cree language, ceremony, and the teachings of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, healers, and ceremony conductors. Her academic and professional formation is also shaped by many years of social work practice, community-based learning, and ceremony-based learning within Indigenous communities.

Theresa’s research focuses on mithosiwin mîna mithokosiwin matôtisân, the beauty and gifts of the sweat lodge. Her work explores how the matôtisân supports healing, wellness, identity, language, cultural continuity, and Indigenous social work practice. Her doctoral study documents and reflects on origin stories, the teachings of willows and rocks, songs and prayers, ceremonial protocols, and ways youth can be supported in recognizing and learning from true Elders. Her research is grounded in nihitho (Cree) ways of knowing and emphasizes respect for sacred knowledge, relational accountability, and community responsibility. 

Theresa’s teaching and supervision interests include: 

• Indigenous social work practice
• Indigenous research methodologies
• Land-based and ceremony-based learning
• Cree language and identity
• holistic wellness
• intergenerational healing
• culturally responsive approaches to social work education

She is committed to creating learning spaces that honour relationship, respect, humility, community accountability, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the responsibilities connected to land, language, family, and future generations.

Theresa has worked for many years in her home community and within Indigenous organizations, supporting addiction treatment, child welfare, governance, community engagement, policy development, and land-based healing. Her service is guided by her responsibilities as a Rocky Cree woman from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in Treaty 5 territory, a social work practitioner, mother, grandmother, community member, and lifelong learner on a ceremonial path. She is committed to advancing Indigenous social work education in ways that strengthen language, culture, wellness, kinship, and community self-determination.

Theresa Yetman’s scholarly work focuses on Indigenous social work, Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, healing, and community-based practice. She has contributed a chapter titled “The Concept of Space: Indigenous Social Work” to Critical Multicultural Social Work in Canada, which is forthcoming with Springer. Her doctoral research continues to inform future publications on the sweat lodge ceremony, land-based teachings, language, story, and healing.