Calgary and Siksika Dare to Dream Volunteer Training Event
The Calgary and Siksika Volunteer training event was a great success! The event, (held on Thursday, October 8,) opened with an introduction to the program by the Executive Director of Level, Ms. Brittany Twiss. After the introduction and after acknowledging that the group was on traditional Blackfoot territory, elder Clarence Wolfleg Sr. (who introduced himself by his nickname, Agar) provided a blessing and Siksika worldview education session. Following the session, Dare to Dream volunteers gained insight on the intricacies of working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Youth from a panel of experienced speakers. Participants in the panel were: Ms. Helen Flamand, who is a former Native Courtworker and Restorative Justice Worker; Constable Cindy Provost who works for the Calgary Police Service as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer; Mr. Shane Cunningham who is a Diversity and Learning Support Advisor for Aboriginal Education Area IV, and finally; Dana Martin, who is an Articling Student at Rath and Company and has previously coordinated the Dare to Dream program in Calgary and Siksika.
Common themes throughout Mr. Wolfleg’s presentation and the panel were storytelling, community, building relationships through mentoring, and respect. The first question that the panelists were asked was, “as a Non-Aboriginal volunteer, what are some important factors to be aware of when forming mentor relationships with Aboriginal youth”? The panelists’ answers all drew from the concept of building connections with the students in order to create a strong, respectful relationship. One way to build this relationship includes making the students feel comfortable by listening more than talking.
Panelist Helen Flamand informed the volunteers that it is important to be sensitive to the needs of the students as Aboriginal communities have historically, and continue to live trauma-informed lifestyles. This means that some students may have experienced domestic violence at home. While this is another reason why students may need the support of mentor relationships, from a practical standpoint, it means that volunteers should hold what students say in confidentiality (as a friend,) unless there is a fear of serious harm. If a situation arises where a volunteer is concerned for a student’s safety, they should privately let a teacher know.
Finally, Mr. Shane Cunningham and Ms. Dana Martin had some great tangible advice for volunteers going into the classroom: make eye contact, engage quiet students by building their confidence through listening about what is going on in their lives (including the latest fun video game they’ve played,) tell your story, be humble, show respect, pay attention to Aboriginal protocols including language (if unsure, just ask,) and according to Ms. Martin, if something doesn’t work at first, be patient and “try, try, again.”
Special thanks to Chloe Mathiodakis, Level's Calgary Dare to Dream Program Coordinator, all participants and attendees including our partners at PBSC University of Calgary, the Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre for hosting, and to our generous program sponsors - RBC Foundation, Calgary Foundation, and Field Law.