Rediscovering Social Work Leaders: Stewart Sutton (1/2)
Channel: McMaster School of Social Work Leadership Archive
Date: 2022-03-30

The CASW Oral History Project conducted interviews in 1983/84 with social workers who practiced between about 1920 and 1984.  In many of the history recordings, participants use antiquated terminology and identity descriptors that in a contemporary context may be understood as offensive, or as terminology that should not be used by progressive social workers.  In many cases, the Oral Historians are providing commentaries on the state of practice or are engaging in critique of historical practice.  We ask that the historical context of this material be considered in assessing and understanding the language used in these interviews.

This video is an interview of Stewart Sutton by Karen Hill, Principal Investigator on the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Oral History Project (1983/83) on December 18, 1983, in Ottawa, ON. Mr. Stewart Sutton was born in Coaticook in the Eastern townships of Quebec in 1909. 

Mr. Sutton started working in the Social Work field when he was still in high school, serving first as an assistant and youth camp leader, and moving on, at still the same young age to take over management of the camp. In his work with settlement houses, he has shed light on how the youth got involved in juvenile court, who represented them, and how youth serving social agencies were involved.  He highlighted how the Depression impacted communities. During this time, the need for social housing and  cash relief, as precursor to public assistance, was advocated by many, including himself.