Update
NAN PEER PROGRAM CURRENTLY:
As a result of community requests for additional Peer Helping Training new funding was received from the Intergovernmental Committee On Aboriginal Youth Suicide in 2003 to reinstate the Peer Helping Program. A Peer Helping Program base is located at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation office in Thunder Bay. The Peer Helping Program serves as a resource centre and provides support, monitoring and supervision of the Peer Helper Trainers.
 | A Peer Helping Training of Trainers took place in January 2004 that resulted in 15 participants successfully completing the facilitator’s training. The program is currently conducting Peer Helping Training Sessions in the NAN communities. Pikangikum First Nation had received a Peer Helping Training Session in December 2005 and Nekskantaga First Nation completed a Sexual Assault / Abuse Peer Helping Training in October 2005. Sandy Lake First Nation also received the Sexual Assault / Abuse Peer Helper Training Session and their programs are now established. |
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Peer Helping Program Website has recently been moved to this NAN main website. This site, once further developed, will serve as a resource tool and networking agent for the Peer Helper Trainers, Peer Helpers and Youth in general. The program will continue to conduct various training sessions in the NAN communities and implement ways in which to establish more sustainable programs.
FUTURE ACTIVITIES:
Additional Training Sessions will take place within the next couple of months for Nishnawbe Aski Nation Communities. Once the training sessions are completed in a community, on-going support will be provided by the facilitators as well as the program coordinator to ensure the continuation of the community program.
The program continues to network with other First Nation Community Peer Helping Programs in Ontario in order to share resources and best practices. NAN’s Peer Helping Program will try to contact, connect and network with other existing Peer Programs utilizing pre-existing contacts and the website as a means to connect.
A Peer Helping Program Pre-Training Kit has been compiled and will be provided to each individual community prior to the training session that includes various items on how to successfully carry out a training session as well as how to select peer helpers in the community. After successful completion of the training session an updated "Community Implementation Guide" will also be provided.
SUMMARY:
| The emphasis of Peer Helping is on prevention. Today’s NAN Youth are faced with many difficult issues including but not limited to: suicide, family violence, drugs & alcohol, depression, teen pregnancy, isolation, loneliness and solvent abuse. This program seeks to prevent harmful influences and destructive factors by providing youth with positive influences and options. The goal of the program is to empower youth with the necessary tools and life skills in order to effectively deal with difficult issues they may be facing or may face in the future. |
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EMPOWERING YOUTH ACROSS
NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION
