Youth for Dignity 12
The curriculum forms the foundation of a modularized knowledge and skill development program for youth –the centerpiece of the Project –and addresses the issue of gender-based and relationship violence. The Youth for Dignity (YFD) curriculum is designed to reflect local cultural values, knowledge, protocols, customs, and different ways of knowing, and is grounded in the system of Dena Au’Nazen and the Local First Nation system of wellness based on the medicine wheel—fostering empowerment.
At national, territorial, and local levels, Indigenous women and youth face high levels of violence, particularly relationship violence. Indigenous youth represent a significant proportion of the Watson Lake community. As such, a deeper understanding of gender-based and relationship violence is at the same time a tool to prevent the violence happening currently in Local First Nation communities and an effective path to lasting positive social change.
Every person has an equal right to be valued, respected, and treated ethically. Relationship violence effects are multi-faceted with traumatic implications over a wide range of dimensions. Gender-based and relationship violence among youth requires a societal response in which individuals have key leadership roles to play Engaging youth in knowledge-sharing and self-advocacy contributes to empowerment in fostering a supportive community-based prevention environment.
The curriculum is organized into a series of seven 1-day and 2-day modules and a special project, offered in sequence over the months of October, November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. Topics and discussions will align with students’ pre-existing knowledge, understanding and learning needs. Students are expected to perform the curricular competencies in increasingly complex environments and contexts.