Page 4 - Walking_The_Red_Road

Walking the Red Road
For each of us, walking the red road may mean something different. For our community, it is a symbol of the journey we are taking together to help each person live a good life.
Through a research and social action project called Urban Aboriginal Communities Thrive (U-ACT), we came together to learn how we could better support our community members to walk the red road.
When the researchers asked, “What is research?” our community members responded clearly: “Research is a way to gather knowledge on problems facing the community and then find solutions.”
Now that we’ve been on our journey together for almost two years, we know that Aboriginal culture and some key elements will help
us to address racism, mental health and addictions challenges, unemployment, and homelessness. Throughout the project, we were inspired by the strength, wisdom and leadership offered by our community members.
Together, we created a model for urban Aboriginal community development and an Action Plan so that we can continue gathering knowledge and implementing solutions in our community.
Together, we can support our community members to walk the red road and live a good life.
,,
Living your life in a good way is walking the red road” said one of our community members. “Being selfless, being a helper, and reaching out to people that look like they need help but may be too afraid to ask is the best way.” For another community member, “Walking the red road is about reclaiming identity
and embracing traditional knowledge.”
Walking the Red Road | REPORT OF THE URBAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE PROJECT | 4