Young Spirit

Winds Newsletter

Mission

YSWYTP provides high

standards of service deliv-

ery to the youth by pro-

moting healthy lifestyles

and strengthen first nation

core values, history and

identity by utilizing appro-

priate tools, resources and

partnerships.

Vision

YSWYTP Vision is to

achieve healthy families

and communities through

empowering the youth in a

safe, respectful and holis-

tic environment.

Young Spirit Winds

Youth Treatment

Program

Inside this issue:

Directors Update 2

Staff Profiles 3

Stages of Change 4

Stages of Change 5

Cultural Camp 6

Cultural Camp Cont. 7

Miscellaneous 8

September 2010 Volume 2, Issue 1

Pictured L TO R Maureen Ward; YSW Executive Director, Theoren Fleury: Former NHL Hockey Player,

Melody Ermineskin; YSW Executive Assistant, Nina Lindberg; YSW Treatment Supervisor, Jerry Saddle-

back Jr.: YSW Youth Treatment Counsellor

On June 23 & 24, 2010, four Young Spirit Winds Staff at-tended the two day Solvent Abuse Conference hosted by Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Youth Treat-ment Centre at Thunder Bay, Ontario. Young Spirit Winds had the opportunity to present our program and set up a booth at the conference. Jerry Sad-dleback Jr, Youth Counselor, presented the program and ex-plained how it is structured

around the holistic model. The two day conference was well attended with all other Youth Treatment Centre representa-tives throughout Canada. Here is a picture of Young Spirit Winds Staff with Theoren Fleury, former NHL Hockey player. Mr. Fleury was a Key-note Speaker: “Don’t Quit Be-fore the Miracle”; followed by autograph session.

YSAC SOLVENT ABUSE CONFERENCE

Tansi! Welcome to another edition of Young Spirit Winds (YSW) Newsletter. Summer has been very busy and time is passing rather quickly. We have had a successful sum-mer program and are nearing the end of this session. We plan to conclude our sum-mer program with a 3 day cultural camp. The final day of camp will consist of a tradi-tional graduation ceremony for our youth who have participated in the program. I would like to WELCOME our newest Board of Governor, Rose Saddleback who will represent Samson Cree Nation. Rose recently replaced Denise Montour. On behalf of the Board of Governors and Staff, I would like to say “Thank You” to Denise for all of her services and commitment she dedicated to YSW throughout her term. The Board of Governors has shown great commitment and support toward program de-velopment. YSW is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles for the youth of First Nations. Also, I would like to extend my “Thank You” out to Barry Soucy and Rachel Reddicop Brown, Youth Addictions Counselor’s who have left our organization to offer their services and expertise to other organizations closer to their communities. Good Luck to Barry and Rachel with their new endeavors. In saying that, we have since recruited Michael Sangrett, as Youth Addictions Counselor. Welcome Michael! All in all, YSW has been progressing in all program areas. We are constantly work-ing on improving the program. One way we are strategizing our improvements is with the new accreditation process we have recently begun. Canadian Accreditation Council is the chosen body who will assist us with the accreditation process. As mentioned in previous newsletter, Accreditation is a process used to assess and im-prove the QUALITY of services in a team environment. The process includes exam-ining everyday activities and services against standards of excellence. YSW is available to assist youth who are experiencing substance abuse. I would en-courage you to bring them for a visit to our program if you feel they are ready and willing to receive treatment. Our staff is available to offer our services on a continu-ous basis. Feel free to contact us at anytime. Until next time, take care and may creator bless you all! Hai Hai, Maureen Ward Executive Director

Page 2 Young Spirit Winds Newsletter

Executive Director’s Update

Tansi! My name is Pat Wolfe. I am originally from Inwood Mani-toba, a small community north of Winnipeg. I am the youngest of a family of ten. I came to Hob-bema in 1979 where I met my Late Husband James Wolfe. I am a mother of 4 and a grand-mother of 5. I have been working for Young Spirit Winds for the past 3 years, the first 2 years as a driver. In that time, I completed the Com-munity Addictions Training at Nechi Institute and was pro-

moted to Youth Addictions Coun-sellor. Youth have always been my pas-sion, I have been working with them directly and indirectly throughout the years. This job has changed my outlook on life. It has allowed me to grow in ways unimaginable. I am grateful for the Youth of Hobbema who have taught me so much. I live the good life I am addictions free and I am content and satis-fied with its many rewards. Hai Hai

road to battle when you see it on a consistent basis and it seems to be a normal behavior for most, even though you are trying to live a healthy life. Having the support from my fam-ily and friends was one of the key components for me in having the right tools to use in life to abstain from drugs & alcohol. Continually seeking advice from all areas throughout mother earth has brought me to many places and has taught me many lessons. Using the advice and guidance from our Elder’s I continue to day to live a life that is free from the things that lead us on the wrong road. I have devoted many years to our youth in the community by volun-teering at different functions, go-ing out into other First Nations Communities and sharing my per-

sonal experiences of life and how I overcame the many obsta-cles. I believe that we need to continue teaching our youth that there are endless opportunities out there, all they have to do is reach out there and grab it and apply themselves to it. I look forward to seeing new faces in this years fall program. Ay-Hai

Tansi, Asiniy Awasis Nitsikaso; hello my name is Stonechild and my English name is Michael Sangrett and I am the new Youth Addictions Counsellor at Young Spirit Winds Youth Treat-ment Centre. I am very honored to have been selected to be a part of such a wonderful organi-zation that battles the fight heads on, by teaching the youth of the Maskwacis Cree the tools that they need to know in order to live a long and healthy life free from addictions. I grew up in the Maskwacis terri-tory being taught the traditional way of life through our Cree teachings, our ceremonies and also the Catholic Church by my mother, Kokum and mosom. I began to understand that living a life free from the worldly tempta-tions of addictions was a tough

Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 1

Michael Sangrett, Youth Addictions Counsellor

Patricia Wolfe, Youth Addictions Counsellor

Staff Profiles

Page 4 Young Spirit Winds Newsletter

Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change Model

Stage of Change Characteristics Pre-Contemplation Not currently considering change:

“Ignorance is Bliss”

Contemplation Ambivalent about change:

“Sitting on the fence”

Not considering change within the next month

Preparation Some experience with change and are trying to change:

“Testing the waters”

Planning to act within one month

Action Practicing new behavior for 3 - 6 months

Maintenance Continued commitment to sustaining new behavior

Post - 6 months to 5 years

Relapse Resumption of old behaviors: “Fall from grace”

Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 1

Hobbema Young Spirit Winds Society hosted a Cultural Camp on August 25, 26, and 27th, 2010. The camp was held at Cultural Facilitator Virgil Ermineskin’s residence. There were 6 students in all who attended. Family members of the students were invited to attend. One student had their mother and father attend and participate all three days. The first day’s events consisted of tent and tee pee set up, lighting a fire without a match, archery and a sweat lodge ceremony. The young men of the program set up their own tee pee and the young women did the same. It was a very exciting moment to see the tee pee stand tall completed by just women. To see the pride in the young ladies’ eyes knowing they put it up themselves was a very rewarding experi-ence. The evening was spent having a scavenger hunt while the rocks heated up for a traditional sweat. After the sweat the students roasted marshmallows and drank hot chocolate. The second day the students were up bright and earlier to pancakes and sausages. The day’s events started with making dream catchers and preparing smoked meat. By mid-afternoon the students helped prepare and participated in another sweat lodge ceremony. Board Member Rose Saddleback was in attendance and participated as well. After a supper, the students listened intently to traditional stories and legends by Jerry Saddle-back Sr. The students then moved into the tee pees they set up. The young men met in the tee pee they set up and were taught traditional male roles by local elders Louie Raine. The young ladies moved into the tee pee they set up and learned traditional female roles by elder Ivy Raine. For the rest of the night, the students were taught how to skin a deer. Local hunters Eric Small-boy and Jarrett Wolfe brought a freshly killed deer and taught the students how to gut and skin a deer. The student took turns learning the basic skill of skinning a deer. Rain clouds rolled in so the students spent the night in the sweat house. Cultural Facilitator Virgil Ermineskin helped the students make rattles before bed time. The next morning the students packed up their supplies and took down the tents and tee pees. The students were then taught how to make a snare for rabbit hunting and then went to pick sweetgrass. At noon the students returned for a traditional feast and graduation. There were 6 graduates. Each graduate received a framed eagle feather and gift basket. The graduation concluded with a mini round dance.

Page 6 Young Spirit Winds Newsletter

Cultural Camp

Page 7 Volume 2, Issue 1

~ Thank You ~ Young Spirit Winds Board & Staff would like to thank everyone who helped make our Cultural Camp a Success.

Virgil Ermineskin & Family Neyaskweyak Employment Centre

Garry Louis, YSW Board Randy Littlechild, HIHS

Louie & Ivy Raine Jerry Saddleback Sr.

Eric Smallboy

Young Spirit Winds Youth Treatment

Program

P.O. Box 570 Hobbema, Alberta T0C 1N0

Phone: 780-585-2219

Fax: 780-585-2665

Toll Free 1-877-585-2219

September 6 Labor Day Statutory Holiday - Office Closed

September 27 Fall Program Begins

TBA Young Spirit Winds Society Annual General Meeting November 14 - 20 National Addictions Awareness Week

UP COMING EVENTS

Five Young Spirit Winds Treatment Centre Staff had attended and completed various training programs at Nechi Training, Re-search & Health Promotions Institute. Nechi offers specialized training to addictions counselors working in aboriginal communi-ties. Young Spirit Winds Management and Board would like to Congratulate each and every one of you on your accomplish-ments. Way to go! Community Addictions Training Maureen Ward Trudy Whitebear Patricia Wolfe Advanced Counsellor Training Jerry Saddleback Jr. Program Management Nina Lindberg

Staff Training

Young Spirit Winds Society has begun fundraising with proceeds going towards YSW Staff Social Fund. To date we have had one Raffle for $1000.00. Tickets were sold during the Samson Pow Wow on the Weekend of August 6 - 8, 2010.

Congratulations to Theo Ermineskin winner of $1,000.00.

Young Spirit Winds Society Fundraising