RESEARCH AND CONSULTING

Not a week goes by without a negative news story about the rates of problem behaviours among Aboriginal youth in Canada. These statistics do not tell the whole story and we must shift our paradigm from one focusing on deficits to a strengths-based approach. This toolkit presents a wide range of guidelines, strategies, templates and case studies for those who work with Aboriginal youth. Throughout the toolkit a mix of conceptual guidelines and practical strategies are presented.

In the First Edition of the Toolkit, there are four key sections: Background and Overview, Guiding Principles, Working with Schools, and Research and Evaluation.
The First Edition of the Toolkit can be downloaded here: English or French.

The Second Edition of the Toolkit was updated to include an additional section on Assessment, which provides a series of assessment toolks to assist with identifying a starting point for change. This edition of the Toolkit can be downloaded here: English or French.

Click here to order the Second Edition online.

Testimonial

“Finally, a resource that recognizes the unique strengths and challenges of Aboriginal youth, and provides guidance in how to integrate these in effective programs that actively engage the youth they seek to help. This toolkit brings together the wisdom and experience of many experts and Elders who have been involved in the struggle to understand the impact of colonization, oppression, assimilation and deculturalization, and to help reclaim Aboriginal traditions. It does not impose a particular strategy or program, but invites us to re-imagine services, re-shaping them to be culturally-relevant and to draw on the inherent strengths and resiliency of Aboriginal youth. This toolkit will be invaluable to anyone who is striving to foster violence prevention, healing and empowerment for Aboriginal youth and communities.” ~ Shelley Cardinal, Aboriginal Consultant, Canadian Red Cross

• Authors:
  Claire V. Crooks, Ph.D., C.Psych., CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and The University of Western Ontario
  Debbie Chiodo, B.A., M.A., M.Ed., CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and The University of Western Ontario
  Darren Thomas, B.A., New Orators Youth Project and Wilfred Laurier University
  Shanna Burns, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and Thames Valley District School Board
  Charelene Camillo, B.A., B.Ed., CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and Thames Valley District School Board