KAA'OMBIIWAAT BINESIWAK

Highlights and Activities

Waterways Canoe Camps

Early in 2020, the Agency purchased 88 canoes: 10 for each Southeast community and 8 for the Prevention Unit. Paddling is a great recreational and cultural activity and the Agency wanted to ensure that youth and families were trained adequately in water safety and canoe operation. We met with the Manitoba Paddling Association who linked us with Waterways Inc. a non-profit organization with paddling instructors, all of whom are accomplished world-class athletes. Over the course of the summer, Waterways attended to each of our Southeast communities and provided two camps two camps in Winnipeg.

Land Based Healing

The Kaa'ombiiwaat Binesiwak Unit offer Land-Based Therapy for the families, youth and children to offers activities such as harvesting wild game, fish, grandfathers, wood, and medicines. Within each harvest, the Land-Based therapist offers youth and families the knowledge of when to harvest what based on season.

Prevention Therapeutic Services

Like many other agencies, SECFS had been utilizing the services of Action Therapists which was developed by Mitch Bourbonniere, who is highly regarded in the Indigenous and social welfare communities. The Unit oversees over 50 contracted individuals who work closely with our youth and families in providing preventative therapeutic care. Unifying in this manner has allowed for greater access to resources and support for our children and families.

Vicarious Trauma Training

As a result of the work that the Direct Service Workers in the Agency engage, they are often exposed to traumatic stories and experiences from and with our clients. To support staff well-being and prevent vicarious trauma (aka compassion fatigue or burnout), the Unit held a half-day virtual session each month for staff. This training was also provided to our collaterals in Shawneim Abinoojii and Inaadiziwin.