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RESEARCH AND CONSULTING
ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING ABORIGINAL YOUTH
A TOOLKIT FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
The Toolkit is available to be downloaded, either in English or French language. The published book can be purchased through our centre for $25.00 (plus tax). Click here to order 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 Who is involved in this project?
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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. The toolkit is divided into four sections. The background and overview section provides a historical context for understanding the challenges facing Aboriginal youth and makes a case for the importance of building youth engagement and empowerment. The guiding principles section identifies four key tenets of effective programming with Aboriginal youth: understanding and integrating cultural identity, increasing youth engagement, fostering youth empowerment, and establishing and maintaining effective partnerships. Specific strategies are organized around these principles to help individuals and organizations improve the work they are doing. The working with schools section highlights challenges and opportunities in working with partners in the educational system. Finally, the research and evaluation section offers a range of considerations for program evaluation and other types of research. Throughout the toolkit a mix of conceptual guidelines and practical strategies are presented.