H.E.A.L. (Healing Equine Assisted Learning)
This is a project created by Denise Cote, Special Education Coordinator at Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex. Denise had taken her students to a similar Equine Assisted Learning Program while working at another First Nations School in Saskatchewan. It was very popular with the kids and the feedback received was extremely positive. When she returned to her home, Cote First Nation, she wanted to provide this opportunity to her students She had also attended the Grand Opening of another wonderful program on the One Arrow First Nation called I.D.E.A.L. (Inspired Direction Equine Assisted Learning). Denise applied for a grant and received funds for Phase One of H.E.A.L. from the Painted Hand Community Development Corporation. The project is now underway and the students are enjoying EAL sessions based on the Tipi Teachings/Values, created by the Muskoday First Nation. The students will receive 12 sessions prior to March 31, 2012. This is an outdoor learning experience where the kids will benefit from learning how to care for horses, teamwork, gain self-esteem, and leadership skills, through nature-based, experiential learning.
This is a culturally relevant way to empower students to make positive life changes, and is a positive, fun, nature-based, and successful approach to assist our youth and community members become strong, confident, and capable leaders, build healthy relationships, and overcome life challenges.
About You
About You
First Name
Carol
Last Name
Marriott
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
H.E.A.L.
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
H.E.A.L. (Healing Equine Assisted Learning)
Country
Canada, SK
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations people.
What best describes your group or organization
Community group or youth group, Elementary or Secondary school, Non-profit organization.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
Less than a year
Innovation
Name Your Entry
H.E.A.L. (Healing Equine Assisted Learning)
Tell us the story of your idea or project
This is a project created by Denise Cote, Special Education Coordinator at Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex. Denise had taken her students to a similar Equine Assisted Learning Program while working at another First Nations School in Saskatchewan. It was very popular with the kids and the feedback received was extremely positive. When she returned to her home, Cote First Nation, she wanted to provide this opportunity to her students She had also attended the Grand Opening of another wonderful program on the One Arrow First Nation called I.D.E.A.L. (Inspired Direction Equine Assisted Learning). Denise applied for a grant and received funds for Phase One of H.E.A.L. from the Painted Hand Community Development Corporation. The project is now underway and the students are enjoying EAL sessions based on the Tipi Teachings/Values, created by the Muskoday First Nation. The students will receive 12 sessions prior to March 31, 2012. This is an outdoor learning experience where the kids will benefit from learning how to care for horses, teamwork, gain self-esteem, and leadership skills, through nature-based, experiential learning.
This is a culturally relevant way to empower students to make positive life changes, and is a positive, fun, nature-based, and successful approach to assist our youth and community members become strong, confident, and capable leaders, build healthy relationships, and overcome life challenges.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
Project H.E.A.L. is using experiential, nature-based, outdoor education with horses as an educational and healing resource for students at Chief Gabriel Cote Ed
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (the project is up and running and is starting to move forward)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
Project H.E.A.L. is modeled on a proven research-based program (EAL - Equine Assisted Learning/Therapy) that backs up its results with research from serval universities and research students that show how interacting with horses and nature helps to develop life and leadership skills in those at-risk, and specific skills for participants with social/emotional challenges, special needs, autism, FASD, depression, addiction, and mental health concerns.
H.E.A.L. strives to serve the needs of the school community and eventually the broader community by developing capable and competent youth in a culturally appropriate way. Participants engage in team and individual exercises with horses in a fun, engaging, safe and positive outdoor learning environment while learning life skills.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
We will continue to provide EAL on a regular basis throughout the school year, and train First Nations people as equine facilita
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
We will have a solid Equine Assisted Learning program, strong funded, with an indoor arena/facility. The older students will be involved with the program, helping the young students. A number of Cote First Nations people will be trained as Equine Assisted Learning specialists, other communities will benefit from partnering with H.E.A.L.. We will be providing other local First Nations Communities with an opportunity to send their students, adults and families will be participating. It will be a flagship project for the Cote First Nation community. The students will be more engaged, have better attendance, find success and confidence, and will engage volunteers in the community, offering a variety of other EAL and horse programs to the wider community, improving wellness/health overall
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex, Painted Hand Community Development Corporation, Cote First Nations Band and Council Members, H.E.A.L. Committee members and volunteers. This is a large project, with Phase One well underway. We will need the support and dedication of our volunteers, community members, funding agencies, local media, sponsors and professionals to reach our goal of developing a first class, sustainable H.E.A.L. program, and permanent facility, with a regular curriculum for students of Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex and surrounding First Nation communities.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
A local horseman (has champion race horses) on the Cote First Nation has provided the horses and use of his facility for the current H.E.A.L. (Healing Equine Assisted Learning)sessions.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
We will need the donation of equipment, space, and volunteers, including approved helmets for the students, horse grooming equipment, pylons, indoor arena space for sessions during cold and wet weather, volunteers to assist with the program, digital camera, notebooks and learning materials, a laptop and projector.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
Yes (answer the next two questions)
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| kids_and_horse_pic.jpg | 13.38 KB |
 | 13 weeks agoShawna Snache said: I don't know how I missed this one! Denise I am a firm believer in horses helping people to heal, and vice versa. Congrats on getting ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 15 weeks agoLionel Rabb said: What a fantastic way to help students. -Lionel Rabb about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 17 weeks agoCarol Marriott updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoCarol Marriott updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoCarol Marriott submitted this idea. |
