The program offers a variety of strategies such as one-to-one activities, group activities, and family circles to encourage positive behaviours and wellbeing. This program has been specifically designed to provide a comprehensive program to urban Aboriginal children between the ages of 7 – 12. The goal of the program is to provide urban Aboriginal children with the support, tools and healthy activ
ities which will build upon and foster their inherent ability to make healthy choices. This program has been designed based on a fundamental principle; to improve the quality of life of urban Aboriginal children through the delivery of culturally appropriate programs and services. Program Objectives:
Social Supports
Children in Care
Health and Physical Development
Institutional Interventions
Supports for Children with FASD and Disabilities
Social Supports:
The Akwe:go program offers a supportive safe and culturally appropriate program environment for children which:
- Facilitates the assessment of required services and identifies areas of difficulties
experienced by program participants
- Includes an after school component which provides a safe and structured
environment in which children can relax, play and/or complete homework
- Facilitates support circles and peer counseling opportunities
Children In Care:
The Akwe:go program offers supports to children in care and their non-native adoptive or foster parents which includes:
- A focus and outreach component for children in care who may not have access to
their culture
- Increased support and culturally appropriate services to non-native adoptive and
foster parents parenting Aboriginal children
- Encouraging the development and implementation of protocol arrangements
between mainstream agencies and M’Wikwedong to better support culturally
appropriate interventions
Health and Physical Development:
The Akwe:go program has a strong focus on healthy living and we encourage
this by:
- Providing nutritious snacks and cooking opportunities
- Incorporating teachings and learning activities to enable participants to make
informed nutritional choices
- Providing safe and healthy opportunities for children to enjoy a variety of physical
activities
- Increases access to recreational and sporting activities so that urban Aboriginal
children can achieve a level of enjoyment and excellence consistent with their
abilities and aspirations
Institutional Interventions:
The Akwe:go program provides activities and supports for children experiencing problems in the home, with educators and/or police. This aspect of the program includes:
- The development of activities which encourage a change in behaviour/relationship
towards peers and/or authorities, such as role playing and peer counseling
- The acceptance of referrals from parents/guardians, educators and/or police so that
early intervention can more often lead to the reduction of chronic problems
- The facilitation of, or direct access to, educational support services
Supports for Children with FASD and Disabilities:
The Akwe:go program provides support to children with FASD and disabilities, and their families through:
- Incorporating a parent-support component which can provide basic coping skills,
tools and preventative education
- Including an after-school tutoring and mentoring program for children who have
such challenges
- Providing increased opportunities for children to participate in safe, supervised
physical activities
