Please accept my sincere thanks for connecting with Kids Help Phone's Indigenous Initiatives. This message is being shared with individuals who have signed up to our Indigenous Initiatives Network, expressed interest in volunteering for our upcoming Indigenous Engagement Program, or have corresponded with us directly about this important work.
This January and February, Kids Help Phone is partnering with Indigenous communities across Canada to engage directly with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students in a classroom setting. We are asking for your support in connecting us with educators to partner with us on these engagement sessions. An invitation with details is below.
I also wanted a share a link with you to a beautiful story shared by Reina Foster, a member of our Indigenous Advisory Council. In the piece, Reina speaks about her experience being in care and how she draws strength from her culture. We hope youth will benefit from reading this first-hand, heartfelt story.
Nia:wen (Thank you),
Deanna Dunham
Manager, Indigenous Initiatives
Kids Help Phone
https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-involved/first-nations-inuit-and-metis/
Indigenous Youth Engagement Partnership Opportunity
Kids Help Phone invites you to partner with us to learn how we can best support the mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness of First Nations, Inuit, of Métis children and youth in your community. We recognize Indigenous young people as the experts when it comes to their mental health and wellness and would be honoured and grateful to learn from them!
Background: Finding Hope – Kids Help Phone’s Action Plan for Supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Young People outlines the steps we are taking to ensure our services are equitable and accessible to Indigenous youth from coast to coast to coast. With the guidance and direction of our Indigenous Advisory Council, which includes Indigenous youth leaders and wellness experts, we are hoping to build good relationships rooted in respect and reciprocity within diverse Indigenous communities to co-develop wellness supports for their young people.
What we are requesting:
- We ask that you and your community invite Leah Horzempa, a Métis researcher, educator, and group facilitator to engage with a class of students (between grades 3 and 12) to learn what Kids Help Phone can do to reduce service access barriers and support their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In addition to seeking critical feedback on our brand and the design of specific services, we hope to co-learn with young people about their wholistic wellness needs and the kinds of support they wish to receive.
- Collaborate on the design of the half-day engagement session, to be held in January or February of 2020, to ensure a positive, exciting and educational experience for the class and community.
- Connect key community Elders, knowledge keepers, leaders, or educators with the facilitator to provide essential background knowledge about your community’s experiences and culture, to ensure engagements are culturally safe and appropriate (honoraria provided).
What we are offering:
- Youth will learn about Kids Help Phone services and how to access them in your community, while also having an opportunity to help us support the well-being of Indigenous youth across Canada.
- The young people will receive the data generated in their engagement session in a youth-friendly presentation to use for their school community or broader community purposes. Perhaps they wish to develop peer-led supports or programs based on their findings? The facilitator can explore potential uses of the data with the young people!
- To thank the young people for sharing their knowledge, stories, and experiences, we will bring gifts suited to their age and culture.
Thank you for considering a partnership with Kids Help Phone!
If you would like to participate or have questions, please contact Deanna Dunham, Manager, Indigenous Initiatives at:
Deanna.Dunham@kidshelpphone.ca or (416) 948-9638.
|
|
|
|
Text Box
dropdown
checklist
Arts and Entertainment
Business and Industry
Computer and Electronics
Games
Health
Internet and Telecom
Shopping
Sports
Travel
More