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Whitepath
Consulting offers keynotes speeches and custom-designed
workshops on the following:
Innovative
Approaches to Treatment for the Clinician
While
it is widely recognized that disproportionate numbers of
Aboriginal peoples spend time in the prison system, it is
less well publicized that the prevalence of mental disorders
is also disproportionate among Aboriginal populations. This
workshop will look at the importance of using culturally
appropriate assessment approaches from both a professional
and ethical viewpoint, to ensure that appropriate services
are made accessible and used effectively. Practical
interviewing tips for non-Aboriginal health professionals
will also be discussed.
UP
Innovative
Approaches to Programming
Aboriginal
organizations and communities are in various stages of healing
from the aftermath of a system that basically said ‘put
aside who you are, do things our way—we know what’s best
for you!’ They realize that it is time to develop a
framework that reflects their needs and aspirations.
This innovative workshop is based on the Aboriginal holistic
approach to healing and self-wellness, which addresses the
physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of
the person.
UP
Child
Welfare System: Then And Now
The
60’s Scoop refers to the adoption of First Nation/Metis
children in Canada between the years of 1960 and the mid
1980’s. Many children were literally scooped from their
homes and communities without the knowledge or consent of
families and bands, hence the highest number of First
Nations’ adoptions took place in the 1960’s. Many
First Nations’ adoptions took place in the 1960’s.
Many First Nations charged that in most cases where consent
was not given, that government authorities and social workers
acted under the colonialistic assumption that Aboriginal
people were culturally inferior and unable to adequately
provide for the needs of the children. This workshop
will provide information on the effects of the 60’s Scoop,
the difficulties these survivors have in their daily living,
and provide tools to make positive adjustments for the way
forward.
UP
Unique
Challenges of the Urban At-Risk Aboriginal Populations
Aboriginal
peoples, like all Canadians, move to urban areas because that
is where the greatest opportunities are for economic, social
and cultural growth. Yet, for many Aboriginal youth,
this move is not the panacea that they expected. Reality
becomes one of social and cultural isolation and economic
marginalization. This workshop will examine the
challenges of cultural isolation, family instability and
dissolution of Aboriginal populations living in the urban
setting, and the absolute need for these services to break the
cycle. We will discuss how in urban centres, Aboriginal
needs are not currently being adequately addressed either in
programs, services or in their delivery.
UP
Loss of
Identity and its Effects
Aboriginal
identity lies at the heart of Aboriginal peoples’ existence;
maintaining that identity is an essential and self-validating
pursuit for Aboriginal people. There is a strong trend
toward reacquisition of cultural identity throughout the
Aboriginal populations. Aboriginal cultural identity is
of paramount importance. Many Aboriginal people have
experienced identity confusion, where a heavy burden of
pain and self-doubt undermines their cultural identity.
Sustaining a positive cultural identity is particularly
important for Aboriginal people because much of the negative
impact of their own troubled contacts has been in institutions
of the dominant society. This workshop will look at how
the loss of self-identity, self-esteem, spirituality, culture
and traditions has resulted in high levels of dysfunction
among many Aboriginal communities. It will focus on how
this dysfunction has created an over-representation in
relation to substance abuse, violence, criminal behaviour,
suicide and homelessness. Emphasis will be placed on the most
effective model to strengthen an individual’s identity and
self-awarenss as a prevention tool rather than one of
intervention.
UP
The
Challenges Presented by Intergenerational Effects:
The Second Hand Smoke Effect
The
idea of residential schools was first brought forward in the
British Imperial period by the Governor of Upper Canada, Sir
Peregrine Maitland, within the context of a proposal he made
in 1820 to the Colonial office ‘for ameliorating the
condition of the ‘Indians’ in the neighborhood of [the
Colonial] settlements’. Maitland’s proposal contained most
of the civilizing concepts and techniques that were adopted in
the next three decades. The vision was anchored to the
fundamental belief that to educate Aboriginal children
effectively they had to be separated from their
families—that the parenting process in Aboriginal
communities had to be disrupted. Aboriginal people were,
according to government and church texts, ‘sunk in ignorance
and superstitious blindness, a well of darkness from which
they were in need of emancipation’. ‘Enlightened Canadians
would have to elevate the Indian from his condition of
savagery from their present state of ignorance, superstition
and helplessness.’ They would then reach the same level of
productiveness as other Canadians: one in which their
‘practical knowledge and labour would make them useful
members of society, intelligent, self-supporting citizens’.
This workshop will give an overview of the history of
residential schools, but more emphasis will be given towards
the intergeneration effects of those that are products of
residential schools —the second hand smoke effect, and how
to effectively overcome this social stigma.
UP
Cultural
Awareness for Organizations Working with Aboriginal Populations
Living
in harmony is more important today than ever before. Our
perceptions of one another either build or hinder
relationships. The first step in cultural awareness is
education. This is an interactive workshop designed to begin
building a bridge of understanding and awareness for
non-Aboriginal people and Aboriginal peoples. Participants
will explore some of the historical and contemporary issues
that have contributed to the development of certain behaviours
associated to Aboriginal beliefs, values and practices.
While the focus is on examining Aboriginal issues, the
participants will begin to appreciate that there are similar
differences that exist within all cultures.
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