Circle of Wellness

What is the overall impact of the initiative and how is this measured?

The overall desired impact is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by helping to learn better ways of coping and living with addictions.

The program is still in delivery and is scheduled to end July 12, 2019

Which Essential Skills are covered by the initiative? Reading Text Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communications Working with Others Thinking Skills Computer Use Continuous Learning

How are the Essential Skills integrated into your initiative?

In partnership with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and the Government of New Brunswick Post-Secondary, Education, Training and Labour the program provides Financial Literacy and Digital Literacy training as well as delivering the Aboriginal Workplace Essential Skills  Curriculum.

In addition to focusing on Essential Skills upgrading, the program includes components on

• Healing and wellness
• Personal Cyber Securing
• Financial Literacy
• Land based Activities

What are the components of the initiative? Life skills Career and/or educational planning Cultural, language, and tradition awareness and/or training Other

How do you support participant success in the program? Attendance allowance Child care support Individualized counselling Food allowance and/or on-site meals Access to other in-house services

How was Indigenous culture integrated into the program content or delivery?

Cultural activities are integrated throughout the program which includes hand on training and land based teachings. Programming is delivered by Aboriginal staff and instructors.  Elders are involved in the program.

Essential skills are taught using the Aboriginal Workplace Essential Skills curriculum with is tailored to the needs of aboriginal learners.

What do you think are the most important competencies and attributes for staff involved in this initiative to have?

Some of the most important competencies staff should have is training in mental health and to be empathetic and understand participants’ challenges and  struggles.

Who are your partners, and what is their involvement in the initiative?

Dr. McCann – prescribing and other support

Medicine Shoppe – methadone/suboxone dispensing and other support.

Eel Ground Child and Family
• Family support
• Social workers
• Director
• Counseling space if needed
• 24 hour on call services

Eel Ground Social Development – social assistance if needed

Rising Sun Treatment Center – social worker support and land based program and assessment assistance

Eel Ground Community Development Center
• Training and employment services
• 12 week workplace essential skills Indigenous WES program with a strong cultural component
• Participant bi-weekly stipend
• Provinces Post Secondary Education Training and Labour (WES)
• Wills and estates session
• Power of attorney session
• Matrimonial Real Property on Reserves session

Miramichi Emergency Center for Women
• Aboriginal liaison
• Intimate partner violence session
• Domestic violence session

Natoageg Food Center
• Food bank services
• Collective kitchens
• Cooking classes
• Gardening
• Community drop-in meals
• Job placements

Crossfit Pound
• 12 week metabolic conditioning (Metcon program)

Eel Ground First Nation
• Full support from chief and council
• In-kind space to administer ORT
• In-kind space to hold workshops, sessions, etc.

Eel Ground Health Center

Horizon Health Support Services
• Hope house
• Mental Health counseling
• CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association)
• Families Take Care Program
• Taking Chard – A life skills program

Jordan’s Principle
• Childcare services

Joint Economic Development Initiative
• Delivery of ES training including Digital Literacy, Financial Literacy and Personal Cyber security
• In partnership with the Government of New Brunswick Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour JEDI co-delivers the Aboriginal Workplace ES Training curriculum