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have that partnership connection with the community ,” says Yolande . “ We also manage the Lethbridge Shelter and Resource Centre ,” she adds .
On top of being able to connect individuals with various services in the community , Sik-Ooh-Kotoki offers several programs and services internally including the Aboriginal Youth and Communities Empowerment Strategy program , a suicide prevention campaign that teaches youth and and resources , and really building on working with parents as well to build their capacities ,” explains Tanya Pace- Crosschild , Executive Director at Opokaa ’ sin . “ Through parenting programs , through access to elders , through connections with each other , parents meet other parents here and they create a network , and then maybe they ’ re working together building natural networks of support .”
Opokaa ’ sin was formed in 1996 when the provincial
Communities that work together and share culture and values with one another will have a greater sense of understanding , and foster self-aware and empowered children who grow up to be strong individuals .
young adults to have the courage to ask for help and seek out services in the community when in need ; and Promoting Life-Skills in Aboriginal Youth , or Right to PLAY , an international program that focuses on teaching youth workers , or community mentors , to facilitate programs that educate and empower youth through play . Additionally , staff at the Friendship Society can help with job and postsecondary applications , resumé building , as well as offering volunteer and work experience opportunities for students .
Similarly , Opokaa ’ sin Early Intervention Society seeks to strengthen families and community through sharing culture and empowering children from a young age . “[ In children ], it ’ s the importance of translating a good start in life , a good feeling of who they are , that empowerment of their cultural identity , their language , their teachings , their connections with one another , but also with elders government put many social services back into the hands of community service providers . At the time , there was an increase in the number of indigenous individuals and families coming to urban centres for employment and educational opportunities , many of them leaving behind a network of family and support systems to pursue these prospects . “ In that translation , they were giving up something ,” says Tanya . “ They were giving up that safety of having a network of aunties and uncles and extended family to help support in raising their children .” In coming to the city , for many parents who were also students or working full time , it was hard to find access to various social support services . “ What Opokaa ’ sin was originally intended to do was create another network of supports where children could go before or after school . So it initially started as an afterschool program ,” Tanya explains .
30 LETHBRIDGELIVING . COM MAR-APR 2017