Cultural Connection Powwow Celebration: Supporting Indigenous Youth in Children, Family & Community Services

Our Idea seeks to bridge the cultural disconnect that many Indigenous youth experiences which deeply impacts the ability for vulnerable youth to heal from trauma and build resilience. By reconnecting youth with their Indigenous identity, we are fostering a foundation for empowerment and long-term well-being.

The Children, Family and Community Services (CFCS) branch within Catholic Social Services provides support and housing for high risk youth who have experienced trauma and abuse in their past; as well shelters for vulnerable women and children fleeing domestic violence. Each year 140 youth access these supports, through a number of different programs. 70-80% of these individuals are Indigenous and most report feeling disconnected from their culture. Due to the circumstances of their past they have not had the opportunity to learn about their roots and what it means to be Indigenous.

Our Idea is a program that empowers vulnerable youth helping them discover and embrace their cultural identity while at the same time helping teach others about the many rich aspects of Indigenous culture. This program includes:

Powwow Preparation including Ribbon Skirt Making- Participants will work on creating skirts and shawls as well as feast and sage bags, so that they are prepared for the powwow season. During this workshop there will be opportunities to learn about the dances, how drumming is part of traditional dancing, and how to listen to the drums.

Powwow Celebration- Through this demonstration powwow we host a lively celebration of Indigenous culture and community attended by both CSS clients/staff and the nearby Elementary school students/teachers. The event features traditional food and a cultural program that includes traditional dancers, a stickman performance, and drummers.

By better understanding various aspects of their rich culture our Indigenous clients can find confidence and move towards the next stage in their lives with the knowledge that they are part of a bigger community, one that will protect them and guide them. This knowledge supports our youth as they work to break cycles of violence, overcome adversity, and reach their full potential.

CFCS youth are able to better navigate the sense of “walking in two worlds”, and through knowing where they came from are able to tap into a power and strength within themselves. As one youth participant shared, “The exposure to my culture has been life-changing and has shown me there is good in this world.”

The Children, Family and Community Services (CFCS) branch within Catholic Social Services provides support and housing for high risk youth who have experienced trauma and abuse in their past; as well shelters for vulnerable women and children fleeing domestic violence. Providing professional social services in environments free of discrimination with the aim to improve our communities through the empowerment and support of individuals and families of all faiths, beliefs and cultures.

CFCS programs serve approximately 140 youth per year. Our clients have all experienced trauma and abuse in their past. For our youth some have developmental disabilities, others have experienced placement breakdowns and require a placement temporarily, some youth are still connected with their families and are working to transition home, many youth are involved in high-risk activities including occasional drug and/or alcohol use, frequent absences from care and environments that may put them in risky situations, or at risk for exploitation. Women staying in our shelters have experienced domestic violence, sometimes fleeing with their children and searching for a safe place to get support as they transition into their new lives free from abuse.

Additionally, the majority of our youth are from Indigenous backgrounds, and are experiencing a disconnect from their cultural identity and community. Facing multiple barriers deepens the struggle for those we support to overcome the past trauma and heal as they transition to the next stage in their lives.