Shane Young
Shane is an educator, Ph.D. Candidate (ABD, Trent) and Joseph- Armand Bombardier Scholar who has ancestral ties to both the Mi'kmaw and Newfoundland settler communities. Originally from the southwestern coast of Newfoundland, he has been residing in Tkaronto since 2006. Currently, Shane serves as an Assistant Professor within the Faculty of Community Service and School of Social Work and holds the position of Academic Coordinator for the Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Shane's extensive research interests include critical Indigenous studies, urban Indigenous identities, colonial and decolonization theories, Indigenous research and knowledge methodologies, and Indigeneity. In particular, his doctoral research explores the influence of digital environments such as social media, Instagram, and TikTok on Indigenous identity formation, maintenance, and resurgence. His work also seeks to evaluate the role of these digital spaces in supporting Indigenous futures and revitalization projects.
Shane’s professional social work practice has been in educational and community-based settings, with a strong background in building relationships with service groups and organizations in the broader community to provide services to diverse populations. His work has included populations that experience systemic marginalization and oppression in areas such as; Deaf culture, homelessness, mental health and addictions, child welfare, and Indigenous communities.