The Akwe:go program is grounded in cultural traditions providing a sense of belonging for each child while supporting with individualized goals to enhance the child’s area of need; supporting social skills, educational intervention, individuals with disabilities, violence prevention, children in care of at risk of being in the care of CAS, 2SLGBTQIA+ supports, and positive nutrition and physical activity practices. The program offers a variety of strategies such as one-to-one activities, group activities, and family circles to encourage positive behaviours and well-being. The Akwe:go program provides a space where urban Indigenous children can feel safe to be themselves and accepted.
An added component is the Student Nutrition Program, which provides funding to purchase healthy meals and snacks that can be offered during regularly scheduled programing.
Akwe:go Enhancement:
Applies to children who require more focused support services. The children who meet this criteria may have additional stressors in their environment as well as limited positive family/social/environmental supports require more intensive or additional support. The Akwe:go Enhancement serves children who may require increased effort to engage with in order to enhance the likelihood of success, thus requiring a smaller caseload. Services include but not limited to:
- Frequent wholistic family support
- Emotional regulation
- Traditional and cultural supports
- Positive self-esteem
- Mental health support, including service navigation and advocacy
- Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team
Program Goal:
The goal is to provide support and tools to urban Indigenous children and youth to promote healthy choices and wholistic well-bein. This program is designed to offer intensive supports using one-to-one services and action planning to support direct-service user goal attainment.
Who We Serve:
This program serves children ages 7-12. however flexibility exists for each Friendship Centre based on local demand.
Outcomes of the Program:
- Increased experiences of healthy social connections and interactions
- Strengthened sense of their positive Indigenous identity
- Improved self-awareness and self-confidence
- Decreased engagement in negative social behaviours and groups
- Decreased involvement in justice system and recidivism
- Increased school retention and completion
- Reduced school suspensions, and other adverse institutional outcomes
- Increased awareness of the importance of educational attainment
- Improved ability to participate and thrive in the school environment
- Increased participation in physical activities
- Increased understanding of nutrition and healthy eating choices
- Increased awareness of the negative impacts of violence
- Decreased engagement in violent or bullying behaviours
- Increased sense of safety
- Increased knowledge of internet safety
- Consistent connection to community and access to supports
- Maintained connection to family, community, and culture
- Increased validation and support of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth voices, wisdom, and experiences
Akwe:Go Program Worker
Contact Information:
Email: akwego@nbifc.org
Phone: 705-472-2811 ext 222
Akwe:Go Enhancement Program Worker
Email: akwego2@nbifc.org
Phone: 705-472-2811 ext 222