Page 93 - Walking_The_Red_Road

Cultural Night
• Building the Youth Action Circle through relationships. The project’s first associate researcher was young and grew up in the community. She connected first with family and friends, and participation grew from there. Facebook and social media, along with food and activities, drew young people in.
• Attending every event possible is the way to connect with the Aboriginal community and overcome many barriers associated with research in Aboriginal communities. We shared information, handed out materials, requested participation and built
and secured partnerships. This also helped us connect with particular industries and populations; the team attended a youth labour event and handed out labour-related surveys.
• Creating and supporting opportunities for community participation: community members worked with a graphic designer to create the project logo; youth organized a Flash mob at a Round Dance, we held an Idle No More Feast and Information session, set up Coffee Houses and Youth Drop-ins, attended a Full Moon Ceremony, organized a Medicine Walk, went raspberry picking, etc.
• Applying for specific funding to address particular aspects of the project. For example, we secured funding to look at mental health programs and services for urban Aboriginal clients in North Bay from OFIFC and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Focus groups, sharing circles, interviews,
and surveys were used to gather views, experiences, and recommendations.
• Welcoming invitations to partner. Partnership opportunities began emerging because of the CAC relationships and growing awareness of the project. Nipissing University, the local DNSAAB and the Labour Market Group partnered on initiatives.
• Creative problem-solving helps address lack of resources. The community was keen to participate in various ways and yet our resources could not support all of their ideas. When we couldn’t afford to hire a photographer, a volunteer taught the youth to take photos.
• Additional funding (beyond OTF funding) was not secured
for the later stages of the project and this had significant repercussions: many activities or aspects of activities had to be cancelled and we received negative feedback from the Aboriginal community. Transportation could no longer be provided to attend our drop-ins, cutting participation in half; we were no longer able to provide food in the youth groups. We worked even harder to partner with others in the community and at the Friendship Centre to carry out initiatives that would be mutually beneficial.
• Consulting, seeking advice, meeting with advisors, to create report, develop strategy, and action plan for next steps.
DEVELOPING STRATEGY and CREATING REPORT
Spring 2014
Walking the Red Road | REPORT OF THE URBAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE PROJECT | 93
Bowling Fun Day
Child Poverty Day
Coffee House