Urban Warrior Lodge for Youth

In the Aboriginal Education Department in Burnaby, the staff has for many years focused on using the Circle of Courage Model based on the teachings of Dr. Martin Brockenleg, Dr. Larry Bentro and Dr. Steve Van Bockern as a proven way to foster better learning outcomes for children and youth. The Urban Warrior Lodge wants to capitalize on these key principles by taking it to its fullest possible parameters.

Using Paintball as the initial hook and as an “easy-to-master” learning tool, we want to focus on creating a sense of belonging and mastery among the young men, utilizing and channelling their own “macho” sense of adventure, adrenalin and deviance into a controlled and monitored recreational activity. Once these first steps have been taken, it is the necessary to begin the process of going full circle and working with the youth on learning what true warrior hood means in a constructive sense.

By allowing and encouraging the youth to feed off of their own sense of curiosity, mystery and desire for identity and belonging, the focus then changes to teaching them the “secrets” for what being a warrior in traditional societies was like, either in their own societies or cross-culturally in different indigenous peoples. Instilling in them core values of generosity and responsibility is one of the most important outcomes we see for this project and doing it in a fun and innovative new way that they can also enjoy.

Under the guidance of elders, community leaders and the school district Aboriginal Youth and Family worker, the young men gain experience in crisis resolution, problem solving, staying calm under pressure, and implementing effective strategies to resolve conflict. We want the youth to develop positive relationships with peers and adults not conflictive and oppositional ones. This approach allows them to feel different and “deviant” without the fear of punishment or discipline for hurting themselves or others, yet at the same time showing them the realities of war and violence from a new lens. We also feel this idea can fall in line with Reclaiming Youth Network’s Response Abilities Pathways method of intervention “Connect, Clarify and Restore”. As the authors state in their website:

“RAP provides a powerful alternative to both punitive and permissive approaches. Young persons are enlisted as responsible agents in positive change. RAP deals with problems by focusing on strengths and solutions. Brief “teaching moments” instill positive behaviors and values. Rather than enforcing obedience, RAP sets high expectations for youth to take responsibility and show respect for themselves and others.” -RYN website

In answering how I know this project can make a difference and considering that each individual participant makes improvements in their own character at their own pace I would like to share a story of one young man that participated in the program when I worked at a previous agency. One morning while meeting the group before going on our outing, one of the youth who was a regular participant in the program but which I had not seen for sometime, signalled to me that he wanted to talk to me in private for a second. When I got closer I noticed he was in tears and wearing a bloodied shirt with a cut and stitches on his forehead. Sobbing desperately he told me that last night he had attempted to kill himself and that he had been stopped only by police who were called after they saw a distraught male who looked like he was going to jump from a bridge. He had made the jump but was restrained almost in mid air. He was taken to hospital for the night. The next morning when questioned by the staff where he was going to go and stay he told them that he really needed to come out to paintball with the team because it was his only lifeline right now and that he would be able to connect with myself the worker and leader of the group which he did and was able to get the support and help he needed.