Reconciliation within BBBS of the Battlefords

Along with our fellow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatchewan agencies, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords takes Reconciliation within our organization and our communities very seriously. We recognize the many footsteps, teachings, ceremonies, and traditions that were long a part of the communities we serve and honour those in our everyday work and practices. We are committed to a path of on-going Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, based on mutually respectful relationships and are guided into our practices through two core commitments of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.

Our responsibility to the Calls to Action is based on the following:

| Community Engagement |

Committees Roles: We are active participants within Battlefords Regional Truth and Reconciliation, the Battlefords Youth Network, and the Early Childhood Community Planning Network, as well as a number of other conversations and initiatives in the Battlefords that are aimed at creating better outcomes for Indigenous youth in our city.

Community Engagement:  We believe that we need to be an active part of our Battlefords and area communities and have attended many events in the community like celebrations for National Indigenous Peoples Day, the installation of the Metis flag at City Hall (North Battleford), the lighting of the Tipi at King Hill, walks at the Battlefords Industrial School, events at The Ridge, workshops on Indigenous Peoples history, culture, and worldviews, and other important events.

| Programming |

Integration within all our programs: With the guidance of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, we have co-created and co-facilitated our cultural programming to be more reflective of the youth we serve, the teachings of the Indigenous culture, and inclusive of the Cree language.

Innovation Indigenous Arts Partnership Project: The Innovation IAPP began as a grassroots movement to provide teachings and space for youth to learn to bead, a popular request. Krissa Baptiste (CFY Outreach Worker) and Renee Sperling (BBBS Program Coordinator) worked together to host a month long series in Nov 2017 in the Big Brothers Big Sisters office for their matched youth and friends. Our first ribbon skirt class was introduced in the following year and we have now grown to include a number of activities, experiences, and opportunities – including helping youth with the creation of their own regalia!

Shared Journey Reconciliation Program: Shared Journey was created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and is aimed at creating agency within the youth and mentors life to action reconciliation. The structure of the program is a mentor-lead, ten-week program that incorporates fun, educational games & activities designed to stimulate self-reflection and group discussion on the theme of reconciliation and history of Indigenous people. Each session is 1.5 hours in length and is designed to be held after school or during lunch breaks.

| Office |

Organization and Guidance:  We have worked hard to ensure that Indigenous voices are at all level of our organization from Board Member to volunteers within our programs.

Training: We believe it is important to help our staff on their learning journey so we have embedded Indigenous-based knowledge and awareness training for all staff and yearly professional development that helps our staff to better understand the shared history of this land.

| Communication |

Print Material: As a non-Indigenous organization working with many communities, including Indigenous communities, and has a high rate of Indigenous youth in our programming and low Indigenous mentors, we embarked on a journey on how best to equip mentors in our programs.  The process included meetings, dialogues, and consultation with Elders, community members, Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, and around traditional teachings. This process was very important as it helped us to learn and grow as an organization and future mentors.

Acknowledgement: We recognize that we serve communities and youth on Treaty 6 territory and the Métis homeland within our email signatures, events, meetings, and within our physical presence in our offices.

The BBBS Indigenous Toolkit can be found HERE.