Youth Life Promotion is based on the belief that all young people are capable of finding their own path to a meaningful life. Programs and services from this perspective are holistic, strengths-based and empowerment-focused while aiming to honor youth individuality. The program is funded by the Ministry of Health and started in 2018 to target youth ages 0-19 years of age.
Each year the Anishinabek Nation delivers programs and training to frontline workers to increase capacity and awareness of positive mental health.
| Wellness Workers in First Nation schools across Ontario | Providing opportunities for students to attend cultural activities | Providing land-based teachings like trapping, tapping tress and medicine identification | Increased access to transportation to after-school programs/sports/clubs | Development of therapeutic programs using animals (ie. horses) |
| Programs that focus on holistic wellness with a focus on physical exercise and nutrition | Youth engagement workshops/sessions that build self-confidence and leadership skills | Photovoice projects | Physical exercise opportunities like: bike tracks, ice rinks and community sliding and | Teaching meditation and yoga to help manage stress and anxiety |
There are 25 schools within the Anishinabek Nation Territory that receives funds to hire a full-time staff person dedicated to deliver the goals of the YLP Program within each school. Youth Life Promotion staff must report quarterly to the Education Secretariat of the Anishinabek Nation. The Anishinabek Nation Youth Program Coordinator supports both programs in their implementation of services and in developing yearly work plans/activities as needed
Each Anishinabek First Nation receives an annual allocation based on population size to deliver culturally-based programs and services aimed at targeting youth life promotion goals. Communities must report on these activates quarterly to the Anishinabek Nation Youth Program Coordinator.
