About the Journal
Our Mission
The Journal of Indigenous Social Development (JISD) is dedicated to weaving together a new paradigm for improving and expanding practice and knowledge relevant to Indigenous peoples’ social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing worldwide. Western systems have brought us to a threshold of collapse and new paradigms are critical to reversing damages brought to Earth and humanity. Such paradigms draw from ancestral knowledges, an ecology of adaptability and post-traumatic resilience, environmental kinship and spirituality, sustainable economies, collectivity and beloved communities, and Indigenous epistemologies and pedagogics.
JISD is a platform for storytelling about:
- Deeper understandings of diverse Indigenous peoples’ life ways, nature intelligences, ancestral knowledges, original instructions, values and ethics as sources of strength and resilience.
- Social development as (re)creation, resurgence and transformative change, strengthening and (re)empowering Indigenous nations, communities, families and individuals.
- Reclamation of effective traditional and promising contemporary practices for moving beyond trauma-infused environments, laws, and institutions, towards wellness, balance, and living the ‘good life’.
- Critical analyses of power and influence to eliminate social barriers, oppression and racism directed toward Indigenous peoples.
- Indigenous and Western research, and the blending of research methods and technologies, in the service of increasing Indigenous peoples’ wellbeing in all areas of life.
JISD welcomes research and creative contributions from the arts, business, education, government, health care, policy, science, social welfare, technology and other related areas.
rev: 2025
A Brief History of the Journal of Indigenous Social Development (JISD)
On June 4–7, 2007, after a year of preparation with community elders and interdisciplinary partners, the University of Hawai‘i Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work convened the first International Indigenous Voices in Social Work (IIVSW): Not Lost in Translation Conference in Mākaha, Hawai‘i, on the island of O‘ahu. The conference brought together over 400 participants from Africa, Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Hawai‘i’s diverse population.
Origins of the Journal
Following the participants’ enthusiastic response, conference presenters were invited to submit publishable papers for peer review.
The resulting Journal of Indigenous Voices in Social Work (JIVSW) an open-access, electronic publication, released its first issue in February 2010.
JIVSW was envisioned as part of a broader process to illuminate new paradigms and conceptions of social welfare practice and research. The journal represented hopes that social work was recognizing the limitations of Western-centric practices across cultures and the need to cultivate fundamentally different approaches to human healing and wellbeing.
We honour the vision, generosity, and commitment of Sally Lampson Kanehe (MSW), whose philanthropic gift made possible the publication of the Journal of Indigenous Social Development (JISD). This contribution reflects only part of her lifelong dedication to learning, service, and the betterment of humanity. Her legacy continues to inspire our work and strengthens our connection to the values she embodied.
Born in 1942 in Pasco, Washington, Sally built a life grounded in curiosity, compassion, and community engagement. After making Hawaiʻi her home, she devoted her career to social work, education, and advocacy for vulnerable populations, while remaining deeply committed to the cultural and environmental richness of the islands. Her lasting impact lives on through her family, her students, her philanthropic efforts, and the many lives shaped by her generosity and pursuit of knowledge.
Evolving Focus
In its first two years, submissions showed the need for a platform exploring Indigenous wellbeing—linking land, water, culture, and health. After discussion, the journal was renamed the Journal of Indigenous Social Development (JISD).
Transitions and Growth
In 2016, JISD transitioned from the University of Hawai‘i to the University of Manitoba. In 2019, the journal moved to the University of Calgary, where it continues advancing Indigenous scholarship and social development globally.