Posted on March 21, 2018 by Terry Massey
Leading Thunderbird Lodge partners with the Twisted Wire Ranch’s Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Program in order to holistically treat youth struggling with addictions.
In 2007, the File Hills Tribal Council and Touchwood Agency Tribal Council opened Leading Thunderbird Lodge to address a growing need for the treatment of Indigenous youth experiencing addictions with drugs, alcohol, and solvents.
The Leading Thunderbird Lodge and the Twisted Wire Ranch (EAL) Riding Program are committed to a culture-based model of resiliency and a holistic approach to youth spiritual, physical, psychological, and social well-being. The holistic treatment program at Leading Thunderbird Lodge provides Indigenous male youth, from across Canada, opportunities to focus on their recovery.
One of the core components of their treatment plan is the Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Program. The youth are taught the importance of the horse in First Nations culture and then they are introduced and matched with the horses at the Clearview Arena, a few minutes north of the Leading Thunderbird Lodge facility. Unlike other Equine Assisted Learning programs in Canada the youth actually ride the horses for the duration of their treatment.
Posted on March 20, 2018 by Anne Marie Jackson
GOBA educates the community on healthy eating, exercising, and offers support for those diagnosed with cancer or are in remission.
Located in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, GOBA supports those affected by, diagnosed with, or are in remission from, cancer. The staff and volunteers help deliver the program within the community and on the Land. The program embraces the K’asho Got’ine Peoples traditional cultural practices that relate to healthy lifestyles involving diet, medicines, and exercise. GOBA runs year-round and more information can be found here.
Posted on by Richard Stecenko
The Kenanaw program was created by Elders as a way to develop teachers in the North.
The Kenanaw Learning Model is an education system that served Aboriginal people well for generations throughout time and history. It is about identity, a place of belonging, community history, roles and responsibilities of generations of families and the process of handing down knowledge in a larger context, the community that supports and nourishes the heart, mind, body and spirit. For Ininiwak, the Cree, the education system was transmitted through the families and communities as represented in the Kenanaw Learning Model. https://www.ucn.ca/sites/academics/facultyeducation/programs/bacheloreducation/kenanowmodel/Pages/Kenanow-Model.aspx
Posted on by Laura Forsythe
Stefan Gislason describes the Neah Kee Papa mentor program for Métis and Indigenous fathers.
The Neah Kee Papa Program is a parenting enhancement program for current, new, or soon-to-be Métis fathers. The ten-week program is designed to encourage and promote the role of fathers. The program offers men information and resources to become more actively involved fathers.
For more information on the Neah Kee Papa mentor program, click here.
