This past January, ALS submitted a proposal to Solicitor General of Ontario to provide wrap-around services and cultural activities for men that are on probation and parole. We have successfully secured funding and duly signed the agreement. To ensure we have access to ceremonies and land-based teachings, we have secured a partnership with the Anishinaabe Thunderbird Sundance of Ontario. The program will include healing plans, elder involvement, mentors, and ongoing access to ceremonies.
To ensure that we are starting to Share Our Stories to Help Each Other in a good way, there was a naming ceremony to receive the name of the program. The naming ceremony included the offer of tobacco, drumming, and feasting. Tobacco was offered to the Sundance Chief of the Anishinaabe Thunderbird Sundance of Ontario to provide the ceremonies. The name was then given to an Indigenous artist to create the logo for the program.
The men will be referred to the program by Probation/Parole Officers, Gladue writers and caseworkers, Aboriginal Court Workers, and by self-referrals. Upon acceptance of the program, the men will develop a healing plan. The healing plan will be shared with their family through a sharing circle so that they can be part of the healing and provide the support needed. There will be a second community circle for the client to share their healing plan with community members and resources who can assist in accomplishing the healing plan. These wrap-around services will demonstrate to the client that they are well supported and loved.
Upon completing the healing plan, the men will attend a ceremony where they will be given their spirit name, clan, and colours. This will help guide them in their journey and give them a sense of identity. They will have access to regular sweat ceremonies, Sundance preparations, Sundance Ceremony, fasting camps, and land-based activities. In addition, they will attend programming that focuses on colonization, intergenerational impacts, lateral violence, and healing.
In addition, we will be proving monthly workshops such as drumming, singing, building their bundles and smudge kits. We will provide workshops and programming that focus on healing, healthy relationships, traditional parenting, and tools on how to live a good life. They will have mentors and elders readily available when they need support. ALS’s vision is to have this demonstrate that culture, ceremony, and community are key in healing and rehabilitation.
Chantell Barker
Executive Director