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Photo Credit : Nicole Akan
Aboriginal Youth Leadership Camp
By Wendy Gervais , Alana Starr , and JoLee Sasakamoose ( Blackbear )
The Aboriginal youth population is on the rise across the country . According to the 2006 Census , “ children and youth aged 24 and under made up almost one half ( 48 %) of all Aboriginal people , compared with 31 % of the non- Aboriginal population …[ and ] 10 % of the Aboriginal population was aged 5 to 9 , compared with only 6 % of the non-Aboriginal population .” 1 The 2006 Census also found that “ the Prairie provinces were home to young First Nations populations [ and ] the median age of First Nations people in Saskatchewan was 20 years .” 2 These statistics demonstrate the need to engage Aboriginal youth in such activities as the University of Regina Aboriginal Youth Leadership Camp : Developing Leaders in Sport , Recreation , and Health that is held annually at the University of Regina campus .
This year , the University of Regina , Kinesiology Department teamed up with the Faculty of Education to plan its second Aboriginal Youth Leadership Camp ( AYLC ), held in May 2013 . During this year ’ s camp a research project was undertaken by Dr . JoLee Sasakamoose ( Blackbear ) and her ED 800 Research Methods class . The statistics above rationalize the purpose of the study , which was
1
Statistics Canada , ( 2006 ). Half of the Aboriginal population comprised of children and youth section , para . 3 .
2
Statistics Canada , ( 2006 ). First Nations population youngest in the Prairie provinces section , para . 2 . to determine how Aboriginal youth view health and leadership and how youth leadership camps are of benefit to foster youth health leadership development . Because Aboriginal youth is the fastest growing population in the country , it is only fitting that youth leadership camps are available to Aboriginal youth , so that this population can contribute positively to society .
Nine graduate student researchers designed and implemented research at the camp , employing a variety of data collection methods including a survey , focus groups , observations , as well as Indigenous and Participatory Action Research as guiding frameworks . Preliminary data has been compiled and analyzed and will be utilized to support a more comprehensive research report with the intent to secure funding for a larger project known as the Health Advocacy and Research Training program ( HART ).
Thirteen Grades 9 - 11 Aboriginal students participated in the camp . Three male and 10 female youth came from rural and urban settings in Saskatchewan . They were chosen by the adult educators / counselors at their schools to attend the AYLC . The criteria used for choosing participants varied from community to community ; however , all were based on leadership , such as academic or athletic ability , displayed within their school community . Several students were required to write an essay on their view of leadership . While attending the AYLC , participants were involved in various athletic , cultural , and social activities that encouraged and supported opportunities to display leadership in many forms .
The literature indicates Aboriginal peoples do not view health from a Western perspective , which tends to focus on physical health and the absence of disease ( see Graham & Leeseberg Stamler , 2010 ; Poudrier & Kennedy , 2008 ). Some of the findings from the camp indicate that for these youth , health does not just mean one thing , such as being physically fit or mentally healthy . Students were able to discern a difference between people who may “ look ” physically healthy , but who may be mentally or emotionally unhealthy , such as participating in drug or alcohol misuse and abuse . Students also identified and discussed issues of spiritual health and well-being and how being in balance in those areas led one to be a better leader in the community . All students were interested in identifying ways to make change in their home communities or schools , but lacked the training , resources , and ongoing adult mentorship and support to do so . These preliminary findings are key in establishing ongoing program development to support Aboriginal youth in their health and leadership growth .