Intro to San Francisco Trip!

This is just an intro, video about the Boys Circle Training is coming soon!

Girl Guides!

Monday was the last Girl Guides meeting until the fall. Although I only caught the tail end of this project, it was easy to see its success. The girls came running into the building with huge smiles on their faces looking forward to the evenings activities. The girls had a great relationship among each other and also the leaders. This program is a great opportunity for these girls to be involved in their community, learn new skills, and meet new people. They showed great respect and care for the instructors, which is great because these instructors are an excellent example of a positive role model and influence in their lives.

The girls taking turns reading some Cree aloud for the group

Horsemanship Program

Some of the youth up on the horses

Last week I spent out in the community at the Panee Agriplex where I was reviewing a program that Maskwacis Justice is looking to adopt under one of our Suicide Prevention Programs. The program is a horsemanship program, where youth have the opportunity to learn about and gain horsemanship skills. This program however, goes much beyond learning to ride a horse.
Relationship with animals and the environment are an important part of Aboriginal culture and this program allows youth to connect with the horse, as well as the horses spirit. It also teaches discipline as the youth are taught how to properly care for, handle, and treat the horses. All of this provides the youth an opportunity for healing, while reinforcing cultural values.
It was amazing to go in and check out this program, the kids were really enjoying themselves and Dion (the instructor) had a really great way to communicate to the kids as well as the horses. Their faces lit up when they got to hop on their horse, but also as they go to sit around and chat with the other youth in the community.
I see this program as having great potential and am very much looking forward to doing work with this program.

Dion doing an introduction for the kids

First the youth must pet and talk to the horse to develop a relationship with them

Dion wanted me to get a real 'feel for the program' through connecting with the horses too!

Whats YOUR Input?

At the Trade Show I suggested we make a 'graffiti board' to gather community input. It is a great way to do field research on a certain question. We used the board to ask what the elders, youth, parents, leaders, and community agencies wanted to see from our programs. We asked for their ideas on what THEY want to see in the community, and it was a great result, both in regards to answering our questions but also citizens were extremely pleased that we were asking their opinions.

Edmonton Court

Friday morning we were called up to court in Edmonton for 2 of our clients. After court we did follow up with one of our funders for our suicide prevention programs.

Edmonton Court

The Trade Show

The Trade Show was a 2 day event that was held in the community. It was a chance for the different organizations around the community to showcase themselves, as well as get to know other organizations and community members. We had 2 booths, one for Maskwacis Justice, and another for Girl Guides. We sold cupcakes to fundraise, as well as did airbrush tattoos. Also, we had a free draw and our give away was the little bags (See Photo).

Girl Guides Board

Inside each bag was Mint, Tea for a relaxant, and a Rock to symbolize protection. The Bags were beaded with the 4 colours.

Golf Excursion !

This tuesday was the Samson Cree Economic Development Golf Tournament at Wolfcreek golf course. This was a great opportunity to meet many people and organizations in the community while representing Maskwacis Justice Society. It was very much a 'Capacity Building' experience.

Fun day, but I think for now on I'll leave the golfing for the golfers.