to apply what I had learned during my training in combination with my life experience , but I realized that I could never be fully prepared for the greatness that our youth have to offer . I developed an excellent rapport with some of the youth in my group , often spending time talking with them about their life experiences , both positive and negative . I felt that I could help and support them through reflection and understanding of what positive choices can look like . The training taught me to take a step back so that I could really listen to what the youth were trying to tell me .
With honesty , sincerity , and compassion , I have been able to maintain a level of trust and communication with some of the youth . I was amazed that by approaching them with trust and compassion , I could create a feeling of safety , allowing them to feel comfortable sharing and reflecting with me . This is something that I feel many of our youth lack today : The ability to feel like they belong to something that is all-loving , understanding , and forgiving . I am tremendously thankful for the experience that I have had and hope that I can continue my HART training to further inspire , mentor , and care for our Indigenous youth . Ekosi ”
Alicia Gervais says , “ Taking part in the HART Program and FSAYLWP at the University of Regina were amazing opportunities and experiences for which I feel an abundance of gratitude . Collectively , these experiences aided in my professional and personal development and helped to improve my overall well-being . Through my HART training , I experienced immense growth in my own self-awareness . I have always had the tendency to be focused on other ’ s well-being , while ignoring my own . HART made me more aware of how valuable my own well-being is , especially if I want to help others . This training allowed me the time , space , guidance , and resources to reflect on my own self-concept in all four directions of the medicine wheel : physical , mental , spiritual and emotional .... As part of our HART training , a 40 hour practicum ( Level 1 ) experience was required , which was completed at the FSAYLWP .... I had six youths to mentor who were under my supervision throughout the camp days . At one point , the youth were interviewed and asked whom they saw as mentors and positive role models . During this process one young man from my group said that the mentor he was with during the camp was a positive role model for him . That was the moment I realized I had been having a positive impact on the youth .... Making strong connections with youth and finding ways to keep those connections strong can help guide young people into a bright future of being positive role models themselves . Our youth need to know that people care about their well-being and see the gifts they have to offer .”
Regarding the research that her team is conducting on the HART program , Dr . JoLee Sasakamoose offers the following findings :
“ Research on the HART program has identified Aboriginal youth ’ s views on the needs and challenges that are important for developing culturally appropriate strategies ( Archibald , Christian , Fellner , & Hare , 2011 ). Our pilot study investigated Aboriginal youth ’ s perspectives on leadership and health . A combination of Indigenous and participatory action research techniques were employed to collect data . Results revealed a considerable influence of culture on Aboriginal youth ’ s perspectives on leadership and health . Values identified in a good leader were very similar to those mentioned in the traditional seven grandfather teachings . Health was viewed holistically , which was similar to the concept of health mentioned in the medicine wheel and different from the Western concept of health . This definition of health served as a conceptual framework and the effectiveness of sports was evaluated in reference to this framework . Interestingly , youth also mentioned yoga ( an activity based on holistic concept of mind and body relationships ) in their action plan for maintaining good health rather than other popular activities that are targeted to improve physical fitness in the Western culture . Youth perspectives of health and wellness are crucial in order to move forward in developing programs that nurture , sustain , and support capacity building . These findings support ongoing adaptations to the HART program .”
Mentors and youth at Fred Sasakamoose Aboriginal Youth Leadership and Wellness Program
By Shuana Niessen
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