Indigenizing Youth Work: Towards a New Relationship

One of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action involves youth work. The TRC calls on “the federal government to establish multiyear funding for community-based youth organizations to deliver programs on reconciliation, and establish a national network to share information and best practices."

In preparation for this important work, this interactive workshop will explore the following:

• What is reconciliation in the youth sector and how does it unsettle existing structures and practices?

• What happens when we acknowledge that we are on Indigenous land and that the majority of youth programs are built and exist within colonial structures?

• What changes when we come to an understanding and appreciation of Canada’s colonial history and exploitive relationship with First Nations?

This engaging workshop will examine these questions in relation to the ongoing restorative work of reconciliation and explore how we can learn from and integrate Indigenous experience, history, theory and worldviews into youth work practice in order to improve outcomes for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth living on Turtle Island.

Workshop Facilitators:

Melissa Compton is a member of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq band. Melissa is an alumni of Ryeson university with a BA in Child and Youth care, was the first graduate from the Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences certificate and has a concentration in Criminal Justice. Melissa has been connected to the field since she was a youth herself. From camp counselling roles, to program planning, to facillitating workshops and peer support work; Melissa is now one of the many youth mental health workers located in the downtown core. Melissa's passion is working with Aboriginal/Indigenous youth and finding ways to commect and integrate Aboriginal worldview, culture and teachings into all areas of work she does.

Robbyn Zwaigenbaum works with Indigenous youth in Toronto with moderate to severe mental health and addictions. Robbyn's experience with the sex trade and harm reduction spans almost twenty years and sits on the advisory board to assist victims of sex trafficking in the Native community. Robbyn in a certified Opiod Depence Treatment Counsellor and frequently provides professional workshops on harm reduction, sexual health and the sex trade. Robbyn is completing her Ph.D at OISE/University of Toronto in Social Justice in Education and has guest lectured in Gender and Violence at the University of Toronto.

Getting Here:

This workshop will be held in the South Ross Building at York University (Room 801). This building is accessible via Vari Hall.

Click here for an interactive campus map.

Click here for information on transit to York University.

Spaces are limited for this workshop.

Please register early to reserve a spot!

This workshop is being offered as part of YouthREX's pre-Exchange workshop series. Please visit youthrex.com/exchange-2016 for updates and news our October 28, 2016 Provincial Exchange: The Youth. The Work. The System.