1. Aboriginal Communities
On the Move with
Aboriginal Communities
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2. ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Why Bother?
Time to get the group talking!
We’re here today to talk about how to increase opportunities for Aboriginal girls and young women to participate in sport and physical activity.
But why bother? What are the benefits of physical activity and sport for Aboriginal girls and young women?
GROUP BRAINSTORM, FLIP CHART IDEAS
Facilitator Tip: Prompt the group if necessary to think about benefits for the girls and young women, sport and physical activity organizations, and for the community as a whole.
Why Bother? What are the benefits of physical activity and sport for Aboriginal girls and young women?
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3. Reality Check On the Move Workshop – Aboriginal 3
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Reality Check
With all those benefits, you’d think girls and young women would be storming the doors to participate in sport and physical activity.
Sadly, this is not the case…
Reality Check
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4. Stats & Facts
Only 7% of Canadian children and youth meet the physical activity recommendations in Canada’s Physical Activity Guides.
Canadian Health Measures Survey
Children and youth are spending an average of 6 hours per week day/7 hours per weekend day in front of a screen.
2011 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children & Youth
Among boys aged 15 to 19, the proportion classified as overweight or obese rose from 14% to 31% between 1981 and Among girls, it increased from 14% to 25%.
41% of Aboriginal youth aged 2-17 years are obese.
CPRA Everybody Gets to Play Supplement, 2010
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Stats & Facts
We’ve all heard about the “obesity epidemic” and “physical inactivity crisis”. Unfortunately, stats support a cause for concern.
Note: Despite statistics, findings of the CANPLAY study revealed that nearly all parents report their kids are very physically active, suggesting a real disconnect between physical activity rates, parental expectations of “what’s healthy”.
Note: New physical activity guidelines recommend 60 minutes of moderate and vigorous activity daily.
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5. Stats & Facts
Only 4% of girls met the recommendations in Canada’s Physical Activity Guides, compared to 9% of boys.
Canadian Health Measures Survey
55% of boys were actively involved in sport, compared with only 44% of girls General Social Survey, Stats Can
69% of Aboriginal children participated in sports at least once a week – boys participated more than girls; children aged 9-11 participated more than other age groups; children in very good or excellent health were more likely to participate Canadian Social Trends, 2010
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Stats & Facts
While the “physical activity crisis” affects all children and youth…girls and young women’s participation continues to lag behind.
Looking at the percentages of girls and boys who meet the new guidelines, we see there is a significant difference between their rates of participation.
Note: Although “involvement in sport” is relatively high, studies are now indicating that many children and youth are not active enough during this type of participation.
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6. What are the realities of providing programs to this target group?
What’s Going On?
What barriers do Aboriginal girls and young women confront to their participation?
What are the realities of providing programs to this target group?
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
What’s Going On?
What barriers do Aboriginal girls and young women confront to their participation?
What are the realities of providing programs to this target group?
GROUP BRAINSTORM, FLIP CHART IDEAS
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7. Stats & Facts Systemic Barriers Program choices Promotion Cost
Transportation
Child care
Low priority
Inequitable resources
Uneducated leaders
Discrimination
Social Barriers
Awareness / Experience
Family support
Cultural appropriateness (activities, clothing, beliefs)
Value of participation
Role models
Stereotypes
Language
Discrimination
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Stats & Facts
*You don’t have to re-review all of these – just highlight any key ones that weren’t identified by the group.
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8. Stats & Facts Many females…
Prefer activities that maximize participation/dislike competition
Have had bad experiences
Have low skill
Fear getting hurt in physical activity programs
Become frustrated being ignored or excluded
Are uncomfortable with their bodies
Prioritize other activities or interests
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Stats & Facts
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9. What Can We Do? On the Move Workshop – Aboriginal 9 WHAT CAN WE DO?
(10 minutes – 1 of 5 slides)
Now for the rest of the workshop we’re going to talk about how to address these barriers through the creation of positive programs and inclusive environments for girls and young women.
We’ll start with a look at what CAAWS is doing to increase opportunities for inactive girls and young women to participate in sport and physical activity.
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10. Aboriginal On the Move “Sport” Focus (since in 2005)
Community sport programs for Aboriginal girls
Originally funded by Sport Canada
Now funded by Motivate Canada
“Healthy Living” Focus (since in 2007)
Healthy living programs for Aboriginal girls
Originally funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Community Programs
CAAWS has been collaborating with Aboriginal communities on the development and implementation of On the Move programs since 2005.
Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in Sport (2005-current)
The first phase of funding was supported by Sport Canada, and was designed to increase community sport programs for Aboriginal girls and young women.
Aboriginal Girls On the Move (2007-current)
The second phase of funding was supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada, and was designed to increase healthy, active living behaviours amongst Aboriginal girls and young women.
*Funding from Motivate Canada supports the continued delivery of the programs.
Communities were selected through a Call for Applications (no new opportunities at this time) and received funding to delivery 8-10 week programs for Aboriginal girls and young women, based on the On the Move concept.
Financial Contribution - $2500 / year
Multi-Year/Multi-Program
Flexible – used for whatever is needed in each community
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11. Aboriginal On the Move Addressing the key issues:
Lack of female-only programs
Lack of choices
Lack of quality skill instruction
Lack of positive female role models
Increase awareness of the experiences of Aboriginal girls and young women
Increase awareness of the realities of providing programs
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Community Programs
At the time, the program/funding model was created to address key barriers for girls and young women:
Lack of female only programs
Lack of choices for girls and young women in the community
Lack of positive female role models
Lack of instruction from a certified coach
Support from CAAWS:
- Community Meeting/Consultation – to engage key stakeholders and increase community support.
- On the Move Resources & Training – about the On the Move concept
National Program Leader Meeting – for additional support and to learn from the experiences of others
*At the last meeting program leaders participated in a digital storytelling workshop
- Ongoing Support and Communication
- Financial Support
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12. Community Programs Seabird Island First Nation, BC
Oskayak High School, Saskatoon SK
Fort Qu’Appelle Elem. Community School, SK
Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, MB
Cormorant Lake School, MB
Walpole Island, ON
Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, ON
Eel Ground First Nation, NB
Stephenville Crossing, NL (Expanded to Region)
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Community Programs
CAAWS is collaborating with the following organizations
Seabird Island First Nation, BC
Oskayak High School, Saskatoon SK
Fort Qu’Appelle Elem. Community School, SK
Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, MB
Cormorant Lake School, MB
Walpole Island, ON
Chippewas of Nawash, Cape Croker ON
Eel Ground First Nation, NB
Stephenville Crossing, NL
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13. Aboriginal On the Move “After School” Focus (NEW!)
After school programs for Aboriginal girls and young women
In partnership with the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC)
Part of CAAWS’ involvement in the new Canadian Active After School Partnership (CAASP)
Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
After School Programs
CAAWS’ involvement in the new Canadian Active After School Partnership has provided an opportunity to expand the Aboriginal On the Move initiative into five new sites.
With funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (CAASP) focuses on increasing moderate and vigorous physical activity and healthy eating opportunities during the after school time period – 3-6pm – which has been identified as a critical window for physical activity for children and youth. The work of CAASP nationally, and of various provincial and territorial initiatives (including the Ontario After School Collaborative Initiative) will contribute to 2015 Physical Activity Targets set by Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers involved with sport, physical activity and recreation.
This component of the Aboriginal On the Move initiative is delivered in partners with the National Association of Friendship Centres. A call was distributed by the NAFC to member friendship centres to identify 5 sites interested in developing and delivery an On the Move program.
Note: CAASP Partners
Active Healthy Kids Canada
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada,
Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute
Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
Green Communities Canada
Physical and Health Education Canada
YMCA Canada
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14. Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, BC
Riverton & District Friendship Centre, MB
United Native Friendship Centre, Fort Frances ON
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, ON
St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Friendship Centres Program Locations
May 2011 Update: These programs have not yet begun; program details are being confirmed
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15. Minamodziwin (Mind, Body, Spirit)
Highlights
Girls On the Move
Fort Qu’Appelle SK
You Go…Girl!,
Stephenville Crossing NL
Anishnaabe Kwe – Aambe!
Walpole Island First Nation ON
Minamodziwin (Mind, Body, Spirit)
Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, ON
Seabird Island First Nation, BC
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Highlights/Success Stories
Girls On the Move - Fort Qu’Appelle SK
weekly program involving 33 grade 5-7 girls
program hosted at school – no cost for venue, and the girls are already there
coordinated activities to end when parents were off work for pick up (to accommodate missed buses)
Activities – wall climbing, snow tubing, belly dancing, silly games, dance dance revolution, cooking class, Dove Self-Esteem, Theatre for Living, sleep over
You Go…Girl! - Stephenville Crossing, (West Coast) NL
Girls aged 8-12
Program focus on Culture, Healthy Eating, Sport and Physical Activity, Healthy Living
Extended to 5 other communities in the Bay St. George region; all sites joined for a celebration event
Model applied to Best Budds program for boys
Anishnaabe Kwe – Aambe! - Walpole Island First Nation, (close to Chatham) ON
Girls aged 11-14, helping to bridge the transition between elementary and high school
Delivered in community buildings not used by the girls to increase their familiarity
Activities: Volleyball, ski trip, tubing, Elders Valentines Day Dinner, healthy eating choices at subway (they have to figure out what to choose)
Minamodziwin (Mind, Body, Spirit) - Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, (Owen Sound) ON
Girls of all ages
Leader is a volunteer from outside the community; as an elite athlete, she had an epiphany through this program realizing that girls don’t want to “ski ‘till you puke” and as a result, integrated scrap booking and more social time into a fun ski program for girls (a more competitive co-ed program is available for those who are interested)
Skiiing and scrapbooking in the winter; mountain biking and scrapbooking in the summer
Mother daughter (auntie, grandmother, sister) retreat weekend
Jingle dance workshop
Girls On the Move - Seabird Island First Nation, (Agassiz) BC
Program started out as a typical On the Move program with a variety of physical activities, sports, and healthy living workshops. However, over time, one key interest emerged – CHEERLEADING!
program attracted girls and young women, aged 10-17
Each week self esteem building life skills were introduced and discussed. Provided the girls with a positive outlook on who they are as individuals and together as a community. Girls were encouraged to value their beauty from the inside out and the qualities that make them unique first nations individuals. Also, the girls were consistently encouraged to stay true to who they believe they are and develop future goals based on their personal qualities, values and barriers they need to overcome.
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16. Tips and Ideas Integrate cultural activities Be flexible
Provide child care or concurrent programs
Build relationships with the girls
Develop connections with community resources
Exposure to a variety of experiences
“right” to participate, awareness
Take their pictures
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Tips and Ideas
Integrate cultural activities – invite elders to share teachings with the girls, integrate a language component, teach girls protocols, dances, songs, etc.
Be flexible – be willing to alter plans, repeat activities, and introduce something new at a moments notice to keep participants interested. In NL the program leader learned she needed to “go with the flow” of participants’ interests, throwing her scheduled out the window.
Provide child care or concurrent programs – Support the participation of young women with their own children and those who are responsible for younger siblings by providing child care and/or concurrent programs.
Build Relationships – Take time to develop relationships with the girls and young women; a positive program leader will keep participants coming back, irrespective of what activity is being provided.
Develop connections with other community resources – even in small communities people don’t always coordinate with others – take the time to find out what’s happening in your community to enhance opportunities, share resources, and find new ways to engage girls and young women.
Exposure to a variety of experiences
“right” to participate, awareness – In SK the program leader invited participants to attend a University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball game where she was the assistance coach. Many of the girls had never been to the university or thought of being involved as athletes or coaches at the university level.
Take their pictures – celebrate the girls’ healthy choices and take pictures of them actively participating to include in scrapbooking or art projects, and to take home at the end of the program!
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17. Challenges & Solutions
Awareness of the participants’ experiences
Provide training to leaders, talk to the girls
Community priorities
Know the research, evaluate the program
Transportation
Pick-up participants, car pool
Participant recruitment
Relationships, reminders, “cool factor”
Group Dynamics & Bullying
Set expectations, zero tolerance
ABORIGINAL ON THE MOVE
Challenges and Solutions
Awareness of the participants’ experiences - Provide training to leaders about the history of Aboriginal people in Canada and about the community; talk to the girls and young women about their experiences in the community, at school and at home, and how they’re supported in being physically active.
Community priorities - Know the research, evaluate the program, and be ready to demonstrate success and need.
Transportation – Pick-up participants, car pool
Participant recruitment – Develop relationships with the girls, send out reminders via , phone, facebook; ensure the program retains a “cool factor” by emphasizing fun, engaging participants in the decision-making, and being creative with recognition and incentives.
Group Dynamics & Bullying – Program leaders must be aware of dynamics between participants and ensure the program is a safe and inclusive environment. Set behavioural expectations at the beginning of the program. Enforce a zero tolerance rule of no put downs or name calling.
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