OKANAGAN NATION WELLNESS GATHERING Forum Workshops STORYLINES OF STRENGTH, CONNECTING THE GENERATIONS: OKANAGAN NATION ELDERS AND YOUTH Facilitators: Rebecca Rafael, Consultant and Jami Tonasket, Truth and Reconciliation Commemorative Project Coordinator For First Nations people, stories and oral tradition are precious. Stories embody a legacy of wisdom often – as in the history of Residential Schools – born of traumatic experience. The story of Residential Schools is one of genocide, every kind of abuse, neglect and sorrow. It is also a story of survival, resilience and strength of spirit of First Nations people in the midst of great hardship and adversity. The question is often raised; do the elders who survived Residential School fully realize the legacy of wisdom they bring to their families, communities and to the youth? How can their hard-won knowledge and wisdom be acknowledged so they can pass on this strength and life legacy to the young people? While the elders have lived through Residential School, the youth have directly or indirectly experienced the multi-generational impact. Are they aware of the legacy of wisdom or only of the trauma? This workshop will invite elders and youth to come together to listen to and share particular stories – stories of what sustained and sustains them through difficult times, stories of resilience, hope and pride. Elders and youth will look at the history of skills, knowledge and values embedded in their stories. These will then be linked to family, community, and cultural teachings, connecting generations past and present. It is hoped that this workshop will be an opportunity for elders and youth to tell their stories in ways that make them feel stronger and more connected. NATION HEALTH PLAN MOVING IT FORWARD To revisit the Nation Health Plans’ 6 priorities and identify the action steps to move it forward. Participants will discuss where we’re at with the health plan and next steps “Health planning is not a one - time activity… As the community addresses one priority, others may emerge and still others may no longer be of concern. The process is fluid and consequently evolving.” – Okanagan/Syilx Nation Health Plan 2010 October 24 th & 25 th , 2012 Page 1 of 3
OKANAGAN NATION WELLNESS GATHERING Key Outcomes Include . Through an interactive planning process the participants will discuss strategies for the 6 health priorities, identify what is working well and areas for improvement. WELLNESS THROUGH THE ARTS Facilitator: Tantoo Cardinal, Actress An accomplished and celebrated actress, she has advanced Aboriginal performing arts throughout the world. This workshop will cover how wellness is integrated into the performing arts. A SUICIDE AWARENESS AND RESPONSE WORKSHOP Facilitator: Kim Montgomery, Okanagan Nation Critical Response Team Research indicates that individuals contemplating suicide are looking for help and a way to escape their overwhelming emotional pain. When we know how to recognize warning signs and respond to a suicidal person, we can be a critical bridge between them and those who are able to provide the longer-term care they need. This workshop offers information and tools for recognizing and responding to potentially suicidal individuals. Together, we examine our perceptions around suicide and challenge assumptions that may impact our effectiveness in intervening. Reaching out to people who may be suicidal is personally challenging; this is true regardless of the nature of the relationship. Workshop participants will explore healthy boundaries and self-care as activities that ameliorate these challenges. Key Outcomes Include: Overview and discussion of ONRT Responses to suicide attempts, ideation and completion, as well as self harm responses within the Nation. Identifying our beliefs about suicide and how they may impact interactions with someone at risk; Recognizing warning signs to watch and listen for; Identifying and exploring how to respond to an individual at risk Ethical responsibility ABORIGINAL EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP Facilitator: Nadine Gagne, Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Coordinator This workshop presentation will begin with a short video highlighting Aboriginal Early Childhood Development in British Columbia. The presenter (who is the AECD Coordinator with Okanagan Nation Alliance) will update participants on her role within the Okanagan Nation Territory, as well as discuss what is currently happening within AECD in numerous communities. Participants will be given opportunity to ask October 24 th & 25 th , 2012 Page 2 of 3
OKANAGAN NATION WELLNESS GATHERING questions throughout the presentation. The workshop will end with a focus group break – out session and large group sharing to discuss key questions related to AECD within their community. Detailed information about specific AECD programs such as Supported Child Development and Infant Development Programs and the services that they provide, will also be included. R’NATIVE VOICE WORKSHOP Facilitator: Amanda Montgomery and Kelly L’Hirondelle, R’Native Voice Coordinators This workshop will go over a quick overview of the R'Native Voice program and provide an opportunity to participate in a vision board workshop utilizing R’Native Voice curriculum. This will be hands on activity which will allow you to create your own vision board! Want an opportunity to be re-inspired? Creating a Vision Board is a fantastic way to help you narrow down your goals and aspirations. CHIPMUNK AND OWL WOMAN WORKSHOP Facilitator: Cricket Testawich, Aboriginal Family Group Conference Coordinator This workshop will look at how the Captikwl - Chipmunk and Owl Woman has helped to shape the Aboriginal Family Group Conference process for the Okanagan Nation Alliance. We will look at how the current process operates and how participants can assist families in this method. As well participants will have the opportunity to offer feedback and direction regarding the needs of their community members and the use of the Aboriginal Family Group Conference - AFGC process. FAMILY DECISION MAKING MODEL WORKSHOP Facilitator: Fabian Alexis, Community Development Coordinator The group will be given a description/definition of what the Syilx-Enowkinwix w family decision making is comprised of and how this sets itself apart from other models out there in the world. As well we will look at some of the strengths in the family decision making process. Furthermore, the Enowkinwix w will be explained in how we engage the community. And lastly, we will look at what are the goals of the family decision making model. If time permits, opportunity for discussion and feedback is welcomed. October 24 th & 25 th , 2012 Page 3 of 3
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