Priority # 3: These activities have no formal cultural content and can be replaced by something else (keeping the same objectives). Anishinabe 2014 adapted version: LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER/ BII-ZIN-DA-DE-DAH 14-WEEK PROGRAM PROMOTING WELLBEING FOR INDIGENOUS FAMILIES 10-12 years old and their caretakers When adapting the program, it is important to replace any ‘non-culturally appropriate activities’ by others more relevant, while keeping in mind the objectives that are to be reached in each session. Since cultural knowledge is to be transmitted to younger generations, we suggest you to bring together several community members in an “advisory committee” in order to discuss relevant rituals, stories, values, history, and traditional ways; and try to reach a consensus. Session # THEMES OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES 1 Welcoming Feast [Ashangewin] Feel welcomed in a safe and respectful environment. Understand the program and be willing to participate. Think about traditional and healthy Anishinabe families. Welcome and Ice breaker: Team Dance; Blessing and Banquet Video or speaker: “Our Families, Our Culture”; feedback. Youth: Sacred Tree puzzle Caretaker: Discuss roles/values Family: Story of Sacred Tree Wrap-up and closing prayer 2 Community History [Gaapi Anishinaabe Ihzi Waabaak] Know more about the community history and own identity. Recognize the strengths of the Anishinabe people. Gain a sense of pride in being Anishinabe. Welcome and Ice breaker: Fancy Shawl Relay Blessing and Meal Questions about culture (orally) and history (worksheet) Video or speaker: “Anishinabe History” and feedback Traditional Anishinabe Family (journal) Caretaker: Discuss culture and language
Family: Anishinabe Creation activity (coloring book) Wrap-up and closing prayer Session # THEMES OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES 3 My Family [Gakina Indinawemaaganag] Appreciate and improve own ability to listen from the heart. Feel encourage to communicate in respectful and positive ways. See potential for family and community togetherness. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Talking Circle discussion and worksheet Family: Traditional Family Story (practice skills) Feedback discussion: How did it go? (Family Talking Circle) Youth: Family portrait (journal) Caretaker: Discuss skills for living and activity (worksheet) Wrap-up and closing prayer 4 A Good Way of Life [Minobimaadiziwin] Define ‘living a good life’ and list positive things from own life. Identify the importance of role models (at home/community). Understand that mistakes are learning opportunities. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Video or speaker: Minobimaadiziwin and feedback discussion Family: Stages of Life (worksheet) Family: Minobimaadiziwin Board Game Family: “My life: History timeline”, a journal activity Wrap-up and closing prayer 5 Working Together [Naadamaagoziwin O’Nandowaabandan] Learn the skills of seeking help from appropriate helpers. Identify who needs help and learn to give assistance. Notice positive and fun activities in daily life (finding opportunities to help or being help). Welcome, Blessing and Meal Facilitator puppet show: Help-seeking Youth: Puppet show preparation and journal activity Caretaker: “My family goals” (worksheet) Family: puppet show Video or speaker: “Help seeking” and feedback discussion Wrap-up and closing prayer
Session # THEMES OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES 6 Living in Harmony [?] View sadness and stress as arising from situations. Learn the importance of sharing feelings with others. Find solutions to bullying. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Family: Feelings activity (worksheet) Discussion: Bullying and Cyber-bullying Youth: Not a pretty picture activity (worksheet) Caretaker: Discuss cyber-bullying Wrap-up and closing prayer 7 Emotional Balance Dakoobidon Gi Nishkaadiziwin View anger as a natural emotion; examine the reaction (behaviour). Identify contributing factors and unresolvable controversies. Learn approaches to anger based on Anishinabe values. Know the link between anger and substance use/self-destructive behaviour. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Discussion: Feelings of anger The Nana’b’oozoo story and activities (worksheet) Youth: Musical Chair Madness and Temper Gauges Caretaker: Anger Management Talking Circle and Temper Gauges Video or speaker: “Anger” and feedback discussion Discussion: Temper gauge and anger busters Hassle logs (worksheet) Wrap-up and closing prayer 8 Problem Solving [Naadamaagoziwin] Have a chance to discuss common problems with peers and practice STEPS model for solving them. Foresee consequences to actions. Be alert to Minobimaadiziwin, Anishinabe values, own identity. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Family: Problem solving strategies (STEPS) and “Gifts and Values Activity” (worksheet) Youth: Problem solving strategies (practice); “My Hero” and “Traditional Anishinabe conflict resolution” (worksheet) Caretaker: “Parent STEPS” Video or speaker: “Helen and Quincy”; feedback discussion Wrap-up and closing prayer
Session # THEMES OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES 9 Making Choices [Gawiin Ni Wii Izhichigesii] Explore ways to deal with peer pressure. Be more aware of refusal skills and practice saying “no”. Reinforce the STEPS model for problem solving. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Youth: Fish & Canoe Board Game; “Saying No” (poster) discussion and activity; feedback discussion Caretaker: Discuss discipline and self-discipline; activities: “Natural and Logical Consequences” and “Behavior Contract” (worksheet) Video or speaker: “Refusal Skills” and feedback discussion Planning Home activities (worksheet) Wrap-up and closing prayer 10 Communication [Dibi Shkoo Dibaa Jimo Win] Learn to identify real friends and to build positive relationships. Increase self-esteem. Recognize self, family, and peer strengths and use them when facing life’s challenges Welcome, Blessing and Meal Youth: Friendship Brainstorm; “Qualities of Friendship Quiz” (worksheet) and “Group Up”; Friendship Disagreement discussion; Hand Activity and “My Best Friend” (journal) Caretaker: Preparing children for success (worksheet) Family: discussion: Peer communication Wrap-up and closing prayer 11 Valuing Differences [Ma-Jaa-Nin-Diway] Understand that differences make us unique, not unequal. Realise own biases and their consequences. Be sensitive to difference; value diversity and own ethnicity. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Youth: Differences and Culture Tree (discussion/worksheet) Caretaker: Discrimination Talking Circle and “Discussing Hate and Violence with Children” (worksheet) Family: Culture Tree and “Family Discrimination Response Plan” (worksheet) Wrap-up and closing prayer
Session # THEMES OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES 12 Building Social Support [Bimaadizi Wiidookaagewin] Identify who and where to turn to if they need advice. Build pro-social and pro-active support bridges. Understand behaviours that build and break trust. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Discussion “Stress and Problems” 3 activities for both youth and caretakers: “Trust Walk”; “Yarn Circle” & “Personal Mission Statement” (worksheet) Wrap-up and closing prayer 13 Community Empowerment [?] Understand the idea of community empowerment. Think of the ideas for empowering own community. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Discussion: “Community Empowerment” Youth: Ideal Community Drawing (worksheet) Caretaker: Promoting Positive Change (worksheet) Family: Scrapbooking (photo taken during the sessions) Wrap-up and closing prayer 14 Celebration Feast [Gitchi Ashangewin] Celebrate the conclusion of the program; receive gifts/award. Discuss ways to incorporate the 14-session learning into daily life. Welcome, Blessing and Meal Show and Tell activity Traditional Blanket Ceremony Awards Wrap-up and closing prayer Why a focus on culture is especially important for the health of Indigenous People? History and contemporary conditions affect individual health by creating negative/positive feelings or stress. To prevent negative health outcomes; culture may act as a buffer (a protecting shield) by strengthening one’s identity. In 2002, Walters and colleagues presented the “Indigenist” Stress-Coping Paradigm to Model below).