1. Melanie Bania, PhD February 14, 2017
Culture as Catalyst: Preventing the Criminalization of Indigenous Youth
Melanie Bania, PhD
February 14, 2017

2. Overview Social & Historical Context Synergy in Philosophies
The Healing Journey
Resiliency
Connection to Culture
Evidence-Informed Practices
Promising Programs
Conclusions

3. Social & Historical Context
Microsoft Engineering Excellence
Social & Historical Context
Microsoft Confidential

4. Social & Historical Context
Pre-Colonial Indigenous Cultures
Colonial Policies & Lasting Impacts
Root Causes of Victimization & Criminalization

5. Indigenous Cultures
One of the main commonalities across many First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples is the concept of the circle. The circle has no beginning, no end, and no hierarchy. One of the representations of the circle and its inclusivity is the Medicine Wheel. Although there are many different interpretations of the Medicine Wheel and various teachings within it, in general terms, it is a representation of culture along four key orientations and dimensions (Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, 2016):
Belonging (East):
A sense of belonging is about how you feel, what you see, smell, hear, taste and touch. It is about a sense of safety in the space and environment you occupy. It is about inclusiveness.
Mastery (South):
Mastery is about increasing your knowledge (learning). It allows for changes in behaviours, key outcomes in the physical world. It also leads to positive individual emotional development in the form of self-pride and self-confidence. Mastery cannot occur without first feeling safe and a sense of belonging.
Interdependence (West):
Interdependence is about community, the greater good, and communal pride; the idea that everything we do is interconnected, and that we are stronger together.
Generosity (North):
Generosity is about long-term planning, about making an investment in oneself and in the community moving forward. It reflects the belief that what you do today will have a long-term impact. Many Indigenous cultures believe that what we do today will have an impact on seven (7) generations.

6. Colonial Policies & Impacts
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996)
Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada ( )
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996)
an array of colonial and later Canadian policies informed by the assumptions and opinions of European authorities that Indigenous peoples were at the very least naïve and unsophisticated and in need of intervention, and at worst ‘savage’ and ‘uncivilized’, and requiring assimilation
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, began to be implemented in One of the elements of the agreement was the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to facilitate reconciliation among former students, their families, their communities and all Canadians. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences.

7. Root Causes of Victimization & Criminalization
Systemic and everyday racism 
Economic inequity 
Poor education
Inadequate housing
Violence against women and girls
Trauma
Urbanization

8. Where can we go from here, together?

9. Synergy in Philosophies
Microsoft Engineering Excellence
Synergy in Philosophies
Indigenous Philosophies
Western Social Science Research
Microsoft Confidential

10. Synergy in Philosophies
Indigenous Healing Journey
Resiliency Theory
ongoing practice and journey of “living well”, seeking “the good life”
encompasses actions in all facets of life - at the individual, family and community levels – and in all dimensions – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and civic / political
Positive Youth Development
Individual assets
Developmental relationships
Strengths-based (vs. deficits)
encompasses actions in all facets of life - at the individual, family and community levels – and in all dimensions – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and civic / political

11. Connection to Culture: A Catalyst for Positive Change
Microsoft Engineering Excellence
Connection to Culture: A Catalyst for Positive Change
Connection to Culture
Wellbeing
Microsoft Confidential

12. Evidence-Informed Practices
Best Available Research Evidence
Lived Experience
Contextual Evidence

13. 1. Ensure Cultural Safety

14. 2. Work From Strengths
Believe in a person’s abilities to affect change in their own life
Believe that challenges are inevitable and can help people build strengths
Be mindful that language can alter people’s perceptions of situations and create realities
Focus on identifying and building upon a youth’s strengths (existing skills, talents, relationships, etc.) vs. common approach of viewing deficits and problems that need to be solved
Position supporters as partners rather than professionals; use genuine caring to act as ‘facilitators of change’ in partnership with youth

15. 3. Provide Trauma-Informed Support
Trauma competence = policies, procedures, staff, services that are aware of and sensitive to the unique experiences of survivors of trauma

16. KEY: Practice Collaborative Decision-Making
Discuss options together, including pros & cons of different ideas and possibilities
Consider the person’s values, preferences, circumstances
Decide on best way forward together

17. Evidence-Informed Programs
U.S. Examples
Canadian Examples
Ottawa Examples

18. Canadian Program Examples
Strengths in Motion (Thunder Bay)
Culturally Appropriate Program (CAP) (Manitoba)
Coyote Pride Mentoring Program (Edmonton)
 X-Roads Program (Manitoba)
Walking the Path Together (Alberta)
Strengthening the Spirit – Oskâyi Kiskinotahn (Alberta)

19. Ottawa Examples Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health Project s.t.e.p.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Aboriginal Learning Centre (OCDSB)
Minwaashin Lodge

20. Conclusions
Synergy in traditional philosophies and social science research that highlight good practices for supporting youth and families
Must not lose focus on root causes at social and systemic levels

21. Microsoft Engineering Excellence
PANEL DISCUSSION!
Microsoft Confidential