Cleq’melt: Groups for Aboriginal children and youth in Schools and Community
- At risk youth
- Boys' development
- Education
- Education reform
- Girls' development
- Youth development
- Youth leadership
Natalie
Clark
Interior Indian Friendship Society, School District 73 Aboriginal Programs and Thompson Rivers University
, BC
Yes
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
Community group or youth group, Non-profit organization.
More than 5 years
Cleq’melt means to advise, and involves the teaching of daily practical cultural activities through weekly Aboriginal boys and girls groups in the schools.
Expanding (it has been running for a while, has grown, you know it is making a difference and now you want to expand)
We know we are engaged in effective work by the testimonials we receive from the girls and parents and by the reaction of our community. For instance, the results from the CWF evaluation indicated that 90% of the girls interviewed felt totally or somewhat better, and 90% of the girls felt they had totally or somewhat improved critical thinking skills while 70% felt they had a totally or somewhat better sense of belonging. Five years ago we offered one group in one school and one in the community. Today we have 19 groups in 18 schools that are running this year and more people are asking. Evaluation of these girls groups now running in their fifth year have indicated increased healthy relationships for the girls at all levels and increased school attendance and healthy coping.
We would like to expand the boys programs, as we received funding for the girls programs, but not for boys groups.
Healthy communities, healthy families, and healthy children and youth who are culturally proud, educated and who live healthy relationships, including relationships for two-spirit youth. Through linking cultural teachings with school based curriculum, and strategies for addressing systemic racism and providing practical strategies for dealing with every-day racism; together with supporting the development of strong cultural values and beliefs, and healthy resistance and activism.
This journey started with a circle, a small group of champions, together with youth and Elders who were brought together at the right time and place, united by a desire to return tradition and culture to the classrooms for our Aboriginal students. Our group is guided by a Grandmothers' Council of Elders. Partnerships include the Kamloops Indian Friendship Centre, Christopher Phillips, Executive Director;
School of Social Work and Human Service at Thompson Rivers University Natalie Clark Trainer and Facilitator;School District 73, Deb Draney, Principal of Aboriginal Education; First Nations Education Council, Dr. Renee Spence and Girls Group Co-coordinator, Susan Dixon, retired SD 73 Stay in School Coordinator.
We would like to expand our groups to include boys groups for younger boys in elementary school, and older boys in secondary schools. In order to achieve this goal we would like to establish a grandfather's council and bring together Aboriginal male facilitators. We would like to bring together the girls and boys groups, with the Elders in a culture camp and would expand our partnership with local First Nations bands.
We do not have funding for boys groups, but do receive funding from the Canadian Women's Foundation for the girls groups. In kind is offered through the First Nations Education council First Nations counsellors, and through the time of everyone involved in this project.
Yes (answer the next two questions)