Inspired Parents
It’s all about relationships. Whether its fiscal relationships or relationships between Chief and Council or Board Members at a local Friendship Center. It is relationships that have impacted Canadian Aboriginal peoples throughout history and what we live today. This project is based on healing the relationships between parents and children through the development of a book that will reach many more Aboriginal, First Nation and Métis parents. It is a book that will guide teachers, leaders, parents and others working with children and youth. It will be a compilation of a core group of Aboriginal, First Nation and Métis families who will share their stories of being parents and the struggles they face. The development of the book will include workshops, interviews and focus groups with the core group of participants.
The project Inspired Parents is influenced by a book entitled Hold on to your Kids by Dr. Gordon Neufeld. The book is a direct result of ongoing discussions and a joint effort of parents and other contributors. Dr. Gordon Neufeld explains that “peer orientation” (p.7) is when peer bonds are replacing the connection between parent and child, which is negatively impacting young people and society. Aboriginal youth are no exception to this, however historically our Indigenous societies did not experience this type of detachment from parents. This is one critical effect of residential schools that places Aboriginal youth and families at risk of dealing with substance issues, suicide and poverty. The relationship between parents and children must begin to heal if social change is to occur, and in order for young people to thrive and survive youth culture.
As humans, it is our natural instinct to fulfil the need to search out direction, warmth, authority and contact. When a parent is not available due to substance abuse, neglect or emotional trauma (such as caused by residential schools), young people find another person to connect and attach with. Dr. Neufeld refers to this as the “orientation void” (p.8). The results can be seen in the increased suicide rates, which research has indicated is a result of how young people are being treated by their peers, not due to parental rejection (p.11).
Therefore, if only the orientation void did not occur, there could potentially be a different outcome. If the relationship between parents and children were strengthened from a young age, and continued into the teenage years this void possibly would not occur. Dr. Gordon Neufeld asserts that in order for parents to return to an instinctual ways of parenting, parents must understand the attachment dynamic. The creation of this book will inform the participants and others about attachment and how to experience attachment so that relationships may heal and young people can grow with a strong attachment to their parents.
About You
About You
First Name
Sarah
Last Name
Blackwell
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Sarah Blackwell
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Sarah Blackwell - Parent & Child Consultant
Website
Country
Canada, ON
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations people, Métis people, Other.
What best describes your group or organization
Business (for-profit), Other.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Inspired Parents
Tell us the story of your idea or project
It’s all about relationships. Whether its fiscal relationships or relationships between Chief and Council or Board Members at a local Friendship Center. It is relationships that have impacted Canadian Aboriginal peoples throughout history and what we live today. This project is based on healing the relationships between parents and children through the development of a book that will reach many more Aboriginal, First Nation and Métis parents. It is a book that will guide teachers, leaders, parents and others working with children and youth. It will be a compilation of a core group of Aboriginal, First Nation and Métis families who will share their stories of being parents and the struggles they face. The development of the book will include workshops, interviews and focus groups with the core group of participants.
The project Inspired Parents is influenced by a book entitled Hold on to your Kids by Dr. Gordon Neufeld. The book is a direct result of ongoing discussions and a joint effort of parents and other contributors. Dr. Gordon Neufeld explains that “peer orientation” (p.7) is when peer bonds are replacing the connection between parent and child, which is negatively impacting young people and society. Aboriginal youth are no exception to this, however historically our Indigenous societies did not experience this type of detachment from parents. This is one critical effect of residential schools that places Aboriginal youth and families at risk of dealing with substance issues, suicide and poverty. The relationship between parents and children must begin to heal if social change is to occur, and in order for young people to thrive and survive youth culture.
As humans, it is our natural instinct to fulfil the need to search out direction, warmth, authority and contact. When a parent is not available due to substance abuse, neglect or emotional trauma (such as caused by residential schools), young people find another person to connect and attach with. Dr. Neufeld refers to this as the “orientation void” (p.8). The results can be seen in the increased suicide rates, which research has indicated is a result of how young people are being treated by their peers, not due to parental rejection (p.11).
Therefore, if only the orientation void did not occur, there could potentially be a different outcome. If the relationship between parents and children were strengthened from a young age, and continued into the teenage years this void possibly would not occur. Dr. Gordon Neufeld asserts that in order for parents to return to an instinctual ways of parenting, parents must understand the attachment dynamic. The creation of this book will inform the participants and others about attachment and how to experience attachment so that relationships may heal and young people can grow with a strong attachment to their parents.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
The project is based on healing the relationships between Aboriginal parents and children by increasing attachment and sharing knowledge within a book.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
This project will improve the lives of parents, children, teachers, schools and communities. An awareness of how attachment can benefit relationships can be carried through into relationships that teachers have with students. Attached parents are involved parents in their children’s lives, whether it's at daycare, school or after-school programs. Improved relationships will also build resiliency in children and youth who are faced with challenges to follow their peers negative behaviour. Improved relationships will benefit parents in feeling more confident in their parenting abilities as well.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
The goal of this project is to create a shift in the way parents connect/relate with their children and teens.
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
The book created from this project can be used to build grassroots workshops, websites with parent support for Aboriginal families, and in-service training for teachers and daycare workers. The project participants can return to their communities and share it with other parents, teachers and leaders. It is the goal that this project will begin a paradigm shift in the way parents and teachers, and children relate to one another by educating about the attachment process. Eventually, peer orientation will decrease, and relationships between parents and children/youth will improve thereby creating healthier communities and self-esteem in both parents and children/youth.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
There are no current partnerships, however critical to this project is the participation of parents in the core group, which will create the information for the book.
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.
The project participants will include, parents and teachers who have a role in learning and sharing. They will participate in sessions that will increase their knowledge about the attachment process and discussions related to their own experiences as a parent and in the school system. These stories will be the building blocks of the final outcome of the book, and future progression of the project. Also, daycare and early childhood educators, school boards, First Nations schools may be consulted with to share the results with the book and distribute it to families. Aboriginal media sources such as the Anishinabek News can also help share results and ongoing development. Publishing companies will also be contacted to publish the final book.
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)
The project will require donated space and possible volunteers to care for children in the beginning consultations for the project. Also, money is required to provide honorariums for parents to attend, provide snacks at the consultations and assist parents with travel if necessary. Contact can be maintained over the telephone throughout the project.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
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 | 17 weeks agoSarah Blackwell updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoSarah Blackwell updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoSarah Blackwell submitted this idea. |
