Youth Health Initiative 2016 Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Presented by Amanda Rich
Table of Contents
Introduction ...... 1 Project Overview ...... 2 Methodology ...... 2 Research and planning ...... 2 Focus groups and health survey ...... 3 Youth Health Gathering ...... 5 Presentation to Community Leaders ...... 6 Results ...... 7 Focus Group Results ...... 7 Survey Results ...... 8 Respondents ...... 8 Education ...... 8 Relationship Status ...... 9 Children ...... 9 Work ...... 10 Future work plans ...... 10 Chief or being on Council ...... 11 Living situation ...... 12 Number of people in the home ...... 12 Number of bedrooms ...... 12 Homelessness ...... 13 Health ...... 13 Feeling strong ...... 23 Feeling safe ...... 24 Youth interests ...... 24 Three things youth like to do ...... 25 Vision for Sheshatshiu ...... 25
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation ii
One thing youth would like to change in their life ...... 26 Something youth love about Sheshatshiu ...... 27 Something youth are scared of ...... 27 Innu culture ...... 28 Community of Sheshatshiu ...... 29 Suggested activities for the youth centre ...... 29 Cultural activities ...... 30 Youth Gathering ...... 31 Cultural activities ...... 32 Timeline of Innu History ...... 32 Letter to a child ...... 33 Youth Gathering Small Group Discussion ...... 34 Conclusion ...... 36 Appendix 1: Youth Health Priorities ...... 37 Clear Mandate and Roles ...... 37 Culture and Identity ...... 37 Consistent Programs and Activities ...... 38 Youth Health Services ...... 38 Education and Employment ...... 39 Youth Outreach ...... 39 Support to Parents and Families ...... 39 Community Issues ...... 40
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation iii
Introduction
As the youth outreach worker for Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN) in Labrador, I was really happy to be asked by the Innu Round Table Secretariat to lead this Youth health initiative. Having the support of my director at Social Health was also important to me.
For me, the project was about building trust and relationships with the youth in the community. This is one of the biggest things I felt I needed to do to get to where I am today with a better understanding of what direction we need to take for youth.
I feel deeply honoured to be hearing what the youth of Sheshatshiu needed to say. It is like they are giving up a piece of themselves to me. I feel very privileged to receive these pieces, their stories.
I don’t want to stop the work that I’ve started with this project. The youth’s stories give me the drive to keep going forward with this important work.
What the youth had to say is real; it is their reality. Everything the youth have said is coming from their heart and I hope that we can start working together on their ideas and recommendations.
Amanda Rich
Youth Outreach Worker
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 1
Project Overview
The purpose of the project is to provide an opportunity for youth input into health priorities and strategy for the community of Sheshatshiu. The project began in December 2015 and was completed in April 2016. Amanda Rich the Youth Outreach Worker for Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN) led the project with funds from the Innu Round Table Secretariat. This project was a success because of the support of the Innu Round Table Secretariat, SIFN Social Health Department, and many others in the community, especially the youth.
Methodology The youth outreach worker in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation led the project with the support of an external consultant and an LCCM (Leadership Certificate in Community Management) coach. The consultant spent time with the youth outreach worker in the community to develop the project plan and methods to collect data. The LCCM coach then supported the analysis of the data collected, the facilitation of the youth gathering, and the writing of the final report. A mix of approaches was used to gather the input from youth ages 12 to 25 in the community. The focus was on hearing directly from as many youth as possible.
The project was organized into three phases: n Researching and planning, including the creation of a youth advisory committee and building relationships in the community with elders, youth, and other youth service providers n Gathering youth input in the health initiative through focus groups and a survey n Holding a Youth Health Gathering for youth ages 14 to 18
Research and planning
Youth Advisory Committee
The youth outreach worker began the project in early December 2015 by creating a youth advisory committee which included ten youth; an elder, Elizabeth Penashue, at the first meeting; and two youth workers, Tony Penashue and Anastasia Andrew. The committee met four times between January and March 2016 and was involved in the planning and decision-making for the project. Some of the key decisions that the committee helped make include the types of activities for focus groups and activities for the youth gathering. This was a really successful part of the project because the youth had a lot of ideas to share about what they want to see for youth in the community and outside the community. The youth outreach worker plans to continue working
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 2
with a youth advisory group. Members of this group along with other youth will help present these results to the community’s leaders.
Relationship building
The youth outreach worker built relationships and worked closely with several youth service providers in Sheshatshiu throughout the implementation of the project. The following partners were key to the project’s success: n School principal and guidance counsellor n Youth services manager n Safe House coordinator n Child Youth and Family Services worker n Group Home coordinator n Diabetes community workers n Local cultural facilitators n Parent Support Program manager n Art therapy workers
Focus groups and health survey
The youth outreach worker organized and facilitated two focus groups:
1. A snowshoeing trek and boil-up was organized in partnership with a local cultural facilitator, Tony Penashue, and Pauline McKay, Diabetes Community Worker, and four youth participated. It was a great chance to get to know youth in the community, build relationships and ask some health-related questions.
2. A traditional cooking class was organized in partnership with the diabetes community workers, Anastasia Andrew and Pauline McKay, and three youth from the project’s target age group attended.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 3
The following questions were asked at both focus groups: n What do you see as the biggest issue(s) facing children and youth? (your own life, your brothers or sisters, cousins, friends.) n What do children and youth need to help them become strong, healthy and proud Innu? (from family, school, community services, leaders;) n What can you/youth do to be healthy? While the focus groups were interactive and allowed for connection with partners and youth through cultural activities, the outreach worker found the youth were hesitant to talk about their health in a group. As a result, she began to think about other ways to gather input from youth.
A similar youth project was happening in Natuashish and the youth outreach worker met with the project lead, Sonja Piwas, who shared the youth health survey that she was developing. The outreach worker liked the idea of doing a survey in Sheshatshiu because it would allow for many youth to participate, and she worked closely with Sonja to develop a survey for Sheshatshiu. The survey was aimed at determining health needs in a broad sense, including many of the determinants of health. Once a draft survey was developed, the youth outreach worker piloted the survey with three youth at the Group Home. Some of the youth had trouble answering the health questions in the draft survey, maybe because they had never been asked these questions before. Other youth had similar difficulty. Some questions were reworded and a few (pertaining to safety and what they would change in the community) were added.
Once the survey was ready, the outreach worker approached the school, the safe house, the group home, Child Youth and Family Services (CYFS), the Parent Support Program manager, and Academy Canada in order to ensure the survey reached a variety of youth in the community. n Six surveys were completed at the group home n Four were completed at Academy Canada (Adult Basic Education Program) n Some were completed by youth who came to the Mary May Healing Centre n The remainder (and the majority) were completed at the school n One youth at the Safe House said he/she had already completed it at school n No surveys were returned from the CYFS worker or the Parent Support Program manager
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 4
Now that the survey is completed, some questions still remain. For example, the question on status (single, married, divorced, etc.) was not suited for youth. We did not ask who was in a relationship and this information would have been good to know.
Youth Health Gathering
The purpose of the youth health gathering was to share the results of the survey with the youth and get their input into health priorities. The gathering was a chance to involve youth and ensure that their voices are heard. It was also a time for youth to participate in cultural activities and have fun. Promotion of the gathering was done by Facebook and outreach through formal and informal networks.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 5
A team of five facilitators led by Amanda Rich, with two cultural facilitators, Tony Penashue and Janet Michel, as well as Paula Gallant and Claire Churchill facilitated the gathering. Elders Elizabeth Penashue and Kathleen Nuna also participated in the event, and Chief Eugene Hart joined the group on Sunday for lunch.
At times it was challenging to maintain focus in large group of 22 youth, but when we worked in small groups we were able to keep the focus and get some good ideas for next steps. Overall, the gathering was a great success.
Duration: Friday evening to Sunday mid- afternoon Location: Labrador Youth Christian Camp Number of participants: 22 youth between the ages of 12 and 18.
Presentation to Community Leaders
Based on the input from the youth and the youth outreach worker’s own knowledge and wisdom, a series of recommendations were developed that will be presented to community leaders and will form the basis for the development of a youth health strategy. A summary of the recommendations is in Appendix 1.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 6
Results
This section of the report begins with a brief look at the youth population in Sheshatshiu and then describes the results of the focus group, the survey and the youth health gathering.
Youth profile in the community
The population in Sheshatshiu in 2014 was 1597 (SIFN Primary Health Community List). Of those, 642 are between the ages of 11 and 30. While the definition of youth can vary, this project used the age range of 12 to 25 years old.
Focus Group Results
The results gathered through the two focus groups were brief, however they are still important. Here is what was heard from the participating youth: n What do you see as the biggest issue(s) facing children and youth? (your own life, your brothers or sisters, cousins, friends.) Response: Dropping out of school, drugs, suicidal thoughts, bullying n What do children and youth need to help them become strong, healthy and proud Innu? (from family, school, community services, leaders) Response: No drugs. People to look to up. Needing friends that don’t do drugs. n What can you/youth do to be healthy? Response: youth need to focus on school, stay off of drugs
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 7
Survey Results
This section of the report presents the results of the Youth Health Survey conducted in Sheshatshiu in March 2016.
Respondents
In total, 92 youth responded to the survey. Three youth did not identify their gender; 46 were female and 43 were male.
Survey respondents include 45 youth in the 12-14 age Males and females between age group, 42 youth ages 15-18 12 and 18 well represented in and 5 youth in the 19-25 age group. survey
Female Male Unspecified
24 20 21 19
2 3 2 1 0
Age 12-14 Age 15-18 Age 19-25
Education All youth surveyed have All the youth surveyed had completed a completed at least Grade 7 minimum of Grade 7. Ten youth had completed Grade 12.
Overall, 81 youth said they planned to 2 further their education. Six did not respond. Age 19-25 1 Five said they didn’t wish to further their 7 1 20 education. One of these was in the 12-14 age Age 15-18 1 15 13 13 group; three were in the 15-18 group; and Age 12-14 10 9 one was in the 19-25 age group. Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade 7 8 9 10 11 12
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 8
Among the females ages 12-14, four intended to finish school and ten planned to seek post- secondary education (college, university, or professional degree such as medicine). Others wanted to train for specific jobs like police officer. Among the males, eight wanted to seek post- secondary education in trades, college, university and/or professional degree such as law or medicine. Seven planned to play hockey in the NHL. The youth ages 15-18 had similar responses, wanting to complete grade 12 (3) pursue a trade or professional degree. Two planned to work for HEO (which we believe is Hockey Eastern Ontario). Other plans included “be a chief”, wrestling, soldier, model, and entrepreneur. The two youth in the 19-25 age group had plans to pursue a degree---in education and in social work.
Relationship Status
The majority (75) of youth indicated they were currently single, with eleven indicating they were in a relationship (marriage, common-law or other).
Table 1: Most youth surveyed were single
Male Female Gender not Total specified Single 32 40 3 75 Married 2 1 - 3 Common–law 5 2 - 7 Divorced - 1 - 1 In a relationship - 1 - 1 No answer 4 1 - 5 Total 43 46 3 92
Children
Most of the youth surveyed did not have children. One youth was pregnant and seven (all five of the youth ages 19-25 and two ages 15-18) said they had children.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 9
Seven of the youth surveyed had children
No Yes
41 38
4 3 2 0
Male Female Gender not specified
For the seven youth with children, the ages of their children ranged from under one year to five years. Only one indicated their child (or children) was in their care. The children of four youth were in the care of CYFS (2) and grandparents (2). Two survey respondents did not indicate whether or not their children were in their care.
Work
More than half the youth surveyed were working or had worked in the past (e.g. in the summer). Two-thirds of females (31 of 46) and a little more than one third of males (17 of 43) had worked.
Sixteen of the 22 youth ages 12-14 who have worked had done babysitting. Three others had worked at the band. Those who hadn’t worked indicated they were too young to work. The youth ages 15-18 worked most often for band council (8) and Innu Nation (6) during the summer months. Two youth indicated they hadn’t worked because they didn’t have a social insurance number. Two of the three youth ages 19-25 had worked. Those who hadn’t worked indicated that they couldn’t find a job.
Future work plans
The most common jobs the youth were interested in doing in the future were “summer job” (5), babysitting (4), at the arena and/or youth centre (4), and work with kids (3). The youth ages 15-18 were interested in working with youth (6), six were interested in working in a trade (mechanic, carpentry, equipment operator), four wanted to work in a profession (law or medicine). Three wanted to work to help people in the community. Youth ages 19-25 were interested in working in the future as a teacher, helping others, working with youth, or working at Muskrat Falls.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 10
Chief or being on Council
Two thirds of the youth indicated they could not see themselves either being chief or being on council. They gave reasons such as “because I can’t speak Innu”, “too hard/ too much stress/drama”(8), “I am not good enough (2). One wrote: “No, I don’t want to, I’m a girl.”
Most youth don't see themselves being Chief or on Council
15 16
Yes No Don’t know / no answer
61
Although males were more likely to see themselves in a leadership position, five of the seven females who saw themselves in a position of leadership were in the 12-14 age group. They said they would make change and help people. The two females ages 15-18 had similar reasons. The two males in the 12-14 age group want to make decisions about the community and care about Sheshatshiu. The six males ages 15-18 would ”like to make community better” and “bring the struggles of our people to the attention of the leaders”.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 11
Living situation
None of the youth surveyed lived on their own.
Most youth surveyed live with their parent(s) and/or other family members 33
25 Parents Grandparents Other family 9 8 7 Non-family 3 4 4 1 0 0
Aged 12-14 Aged 15-18 Age 19+
More than two thirds (62 of 92) of the youth surveyed lived with their parents. Eighteen youth lived with grandparents and ten lived with other family members. A small number (4) lived with non-family members. Some respondents selected more than one option (for example, they may live with their parents as well as other family members).
Number of people in the home
A small number of youth (14) live in households of one to three people. About two-fifths live with four to six people and another two-fifths lived with seven or more people.
Table 3: Most youth live in households with four to six or seven or more people
Number of Ages 12-14 Ages 15-18 Ages 19-25 Total people 1-3 7 7 14 4-6 21 14 3 38 7+ 17 19 2 38
Number of bedrooms
More than eight out of ten youth live in homes with three to five bedrooms. The remainder live in homes with 1-2 bedrooms (10) or more than 6 bedrooms (6).
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 12
Table 4: The majority of youth live in homes with three to five bedrooms
Number of Ages 12-14 Ages 15-18 Ages 19-25 Total bedroom 1-2 4 5 1 10 3-5 40 31 4 75 6+ 2 4 6
Homelessness
Seventeen youth indicated that they knew someone who had been homeless. The seven youth ages 12-14, six youth ages 15-18, and three youth ages 19-25 listed possible reasons as “got kicked out by her mom;” “house burned down;” “he was cheating on his girlfriend and… got kicked out;” “no place to stay;” “gas sniffing, drinking;” or “drug abuse---I’d rather not talk about it.”
Further along in the survey, five of the youth identified housing as a challenge. One youth in the age 19-25 group commented that no housing was available while three females ages 12 to 14 commented: n “Some mothers don’t have houses” n “Some houses aren’t built right” n “The band needs to give houses to the people that have babies. Not to the people that do drugs in their homes” Health
In the survey, youth were asked: “What are the 3 hardest things that youth in Sheshatshiu face today?” The chart below shows the list of all of the responses provided by more than one person, along with the number of youth who provided this response. More than two thirds of the youth identified drugs and alcohol as one of the hardest things they face while almost half said bullying. Teen pregnancy was a concern to 26 out of the 92.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 13
Hardest things facing youth in Sheshatshiu
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Drugs Drinking/alcohol Bullying/abuse Teen Pregnancy School (kids not going / getting kicked out) Family issues (abuse, alcohol) Poverty (food/no food/no income) Depression/mental health Not enough programs/opportunities for youth Suicide/suicidal thoughts Housing Losing family members/friends Violence (fighting, rape) Unhealthy relationships Smoking/Smokes Partying
Other things listed (once each) include friends’ problems, sex, getting other places, dogs, medical health problems, cheating, and education.
These “hardest things” are elaborated on in a few areas of the survey. An overview of youth concerns about these issues follows. Hardest things #1 and #2: Drugs and Alcohol
The two hardest things that youth identified that they are facing are drugs and alcohol.
Over two thirds of youth are concerned about underage drinking and that youth are doing drugs, especially marijuana. A few also mentioned that they are scared that youth will start using harder drugs while another stated that some are already using hard drugs. One female in the 15-18 age group commented that some youth needed to be sent to treatment.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 14
Alcohol
Half (46 of 92) the youth surveyed said they experimented with alcohol. This includes about a quarter (11 of 45) of youth ages 12-14 and about two thirds (29 of 42) of youth ages 15-18 and all of those in the 19-25 group.
Males and females were equally likely to have experimented with alcohol among youth older than Half the youth have 15. But in the 12-14 age group, experimented with alcohol females (8 of 24) were more likely to have experimented than males 0 (3 of 19). 5 13 Of the 46 youth who said they had experimented with alcohol, 37 Age 19-25 29 provided information about how Age 15-18 often they use alcohol. The small 34 Age 12-14 numbers for each type of response make it difficult to 11 determine if there are differences between males and females. yes no
The majority of youth 12-14 drank no more frequently than 16 of 37 youth who drink do once per month; but two drank so at least weekly every week. Frequency of drinking increases with the 15-18 age group where more than a Daily 2 third (15 of 42) are drinking at Weekly 14 least monthly; one drank daily. All the youth ages 19-25 drank Twice a month 1 weekly, with one drinking daily. Monthly 6 Overall, 24 youth indicated they Haven’t had in 3 months; quit 4 drank vodka and 16 drank beer. Three indicated they drank Once in a while 7 whisky and 2 indicated they Only once 3 drank “everything”.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 15
Overall, youth spending on alcohol increases with age. Thirty-six (36) youth provided information about how much money they spend on alcohol in a typical month. The chart below shows their responses. More than half are spending less than $50 per month; nine are spending more than $100, with one spending $600 per month on average.
The youth surveyed said they get the Money spent on alcohol in a money for alcohol from their parents or other family members or typical month save up money they get from earnings or elsewhere. Some said $15 to $30 9 they lie to their parents about what the money is for or they steal it. $30 to $50 10 They said that youth drink because $50 to $100 8 they have nothing else to do (9), to follow others/look cool/peer $100 to $150 5 pressure/be included (15). Others More than $250 3 said youth drink because of stress or depression or to forget their 600 1 problems (21).
Drugs
Approximately one-third (29 of 92) youth More than one third of surveyed indicated that they experimented with youth surveyed had drugs. experimented with Five of the 45 youth ages 12-14 had experimented with marijuana. Nearly half of youth ages 15-18 (19 marijuana of 42) and all of those age 19-25 had experimented with marijuana. Three of the 15-18 None year-olds and all of the youth 19-25 had 8 experimented with cocaine. Marijuana only 29 The frequency of drug use increases with age. Two of the five 12-14 year-olds used drugs daily. 64 Marijuana and Among the 15-18 year-olds, seven used drugs daily cocaine and four used them monthly. The remaining seven used drugs less frequently than monthly. Three of the youth ages 19-25 use drugs daily while two use them at least weekly.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 16
Overall, youth spending on drugs increases with age.
Monthly spending on drugs increases with age
Age 12-14 Age 15-18 Age 19-25
less than $25 2 4 $25 to 50 1 $50-100 2 5 $200 1 more than $300 1 $200-500 3 $600 1 $1,000 1 $2,000 1
Four youth ages 19-25 estimated their monthly spending on drugs to range from $200 to $2000. They indicated they get the money from friends, parents and family or work.
Gas sniffing
The youth outreach worker included questions about gas sniffing because at the time of the survey there was talk in the community that there was a rise in youth gas sniffing.
Overall, two in ten youth indicated they knew someone who sniffed gas. When asked “why do you think they are sniffing gas?” the 12-14 year-olds responded “because they can’t afford drugs,” “to look cool and have a good rep,” “to keep depression away,” “people are sad for losing the people that they loved so much,” “their life is so hard I guess.” The youth ages 15-18 responded “nothing to do – the youth are bored,” (4) “to get out of reality,” ”to keep things off their mind.”
Dry community
In response to the question, “If you could change one things in Sheshatshiu, what would it be?” 30 youth said that Sheshatshiu should ban alcohol and drugs (become a dry community) while another 12 said something like “no drugs” or simply “drugs and alcohol” as one thing they would change. Some also noted that there is peer pressure from other youth and adults to smoke and drink.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 17
The youth also wrote about parents drinking and the impact that has on the lives of youth, including their own lives and lives of their friends. Some of the responses include: n “The amount of hatred and the amount of people who influence their children to drink” (one thing the youth is scared of) n “The parents have to get better. Ban alcohol.” Drugs and alcohol also impact their feeling of safety. In response to the question on safety, one youth commented: “At home I’m away from drugs, alcohol and just everything negative in the community.” While another commented that she is “scared about drunk people.”
Hardest thing #3: Bullying
Nearly half of the 92 youth surveyed named bullying as one of the hardest things faced by youth. One female respondent, 15-18 years old, commented that she did not want to go to school because of bullying. Another, when asked what she is scared of, responded “actually I’m scared if I’m bullied again.” A 15-18 year-old who did not specify their gender reported being scared of people getting ganged up on while another said that the only place they feel safe in the community is at home because “no bullies at my house.” This last sentiment was expressed by at least five other youth in the question on safety.
Hardest thing #4: Teen pregnancy
Twenty-six (26) youth wrote pregnancy or teen pregnancy as one of the hardest things youth face; 20 of those were female.
Hardest thing #5: School/Youth not going to school
With 10 of the 92 youth surveyed saying that school or dropping out of school is one of the hardest things in youth’s lives, it is not surprising that this concern was mentioned in other parts of the survey. Here are a few comments made:
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 18
n Three males ages 15-18 wrote that, “kids dropping out of school because of drugs and alcohol” is something they are scared of n A female age 19-25 stated her vision for Sheshatshiu was “to finish school and help others in the community” n Three females ages 15-18 said youth should be pushed to go to school and stay in school to make it better for youth n Another female in the age 15-18 age group said “kids getting kicked out just because they did something bad” makes it harder for them n One female respondent hoped for Innu teachers for the high school
Hardest thing #6: Family issues (for example, abuse or alcohol)
There were a variety of comments throughout the survey that shed light on some of the challenges youth face in their family. Here are some direct quotes:
n “Most [youth] have broken homes”
n Something I’d like to see change: “For parents to “People need to learn how to actually care about their kids” love their children. Make n Youth are “often being alone in their houses” good decisions for their n “People need to learn how to love their children. children. Tell your children to Make good decisions for their children. Tell your go to school” children to go to school” n “Nothing [to change in my life], maybe to stop being scared or to stop my parent’s from doing coke n “Pay attention to your kids, listen, talk to them. Most youth I know have something going through their head.” n One male youth in the 12-14 age group felt that “kids aren’t listening to their parents and doing bad things” while another said that “child abuse” is an issue.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 19
n One respondent in the 19-25 group stated that “get the children to behave” was one thing she would like to change in the community Three youth also expressed their feelings on being separated from their family:
n “Being away from home (CYFS)” “I’m scared they n “Yes [I am sad] because I never see my mom. I talk to my [youth] might get social worker so I can see my mom” taken away and lose n “I’m scared they [youth] might get taken away and lose their language” their language”
Hardest thing #7: Poverty (no food/no income/money)
Two female respondents ages 15-18 commented that food or no food was a concern in their lives. A few others commented that there was a need for more jobs so that parents could provide for their families.
Hardest things #8 and #10: Mental Health (including depression and suicide)
Seventy-seven youth answered yes when asked if they have ever felt sad. Six males said no, ten gave no response, and one said that he “used to until I stopped drinking.”
Of the seventy-seven that said yes, ten said that they talked to no one, while the majority of the remaining talk to a parent or a friend, and a few (7) talked to a teacher or a counselor.
Thirteen respondents said they feel sad because they have lost a family member (grandparent, brother, parent, cousin) or a friend. Of those, six indicated that they do not talk to anyone about it, that they keep it to themselves. Other reasons for feeling sad include: personal matters (2), bullying (2), overthinking (2), relationship issues (2), my kid being taken away, living in Sheshatshiu, loneliness, family problems, stress at school, friends leaving, not seeing a parent (CYFS), violence (“I felt sad for
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 20
someone else…she was getting beat up by a man. I talk to my sister and friends”), not feeling good enough, and other friends doing drugs. Three youth said they had many reasons for being sad.
When asked, “Who do you count on the most?” more than half indicated they count on their parents the most. While another one third count on their brothers or sisters, and a third indicated their friends. Thirteen youth responded that they had no one to count on.
Thirteen youth have no one to count on
Parent(s) 52
Brother or sister 28
Friends 25
Grandparents 17
No one 13
Guardians 8
Teacher 8
Other 3
Two youth indicated that they had no one since their grandfather’s death. Another counted on their addictions counselor.
One youth made the connection between substance use and mental health. “People should know about the kids are depressed and finding ways to keep shit off their mind like drugs, beer and suicide”. Similar comments supported this connection: youth sniff gas “because they are sad,” “to get out of reality,” “to get things off their mind.” Three female respondents ages 15-18 said that they feel youth sniff because they are “depressed, sad”. Youth in the 12-14 age range, especially the females commented on mental health issues in their lives. One said, “Depression comes and goes, [I talk to] no one. I stay quiet”.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 21
A 12-14 year-old said: “A lot of people are going through a lot in Sheshatshiu, people just need to wait and listen to what they’re going through.”
At least 25 youth surveyed were concerned about suicide and suicidal thoughts. Several of those surveyed are scared of youth committing suicide or self-harming while a few others talked about wanting to prevent suicides through support groups, listening, and doing more fun things. One youth connected suicide to bullying: “lots of kids are suicidal because of people bullying them”.
Hardest thing #9: Not enough programs and/or opportunities for youth
This topic was repeated by the youth through the survey. In general, youth would like to see more activities – cultural activities, sports, educational activities, healing circles – in the community for them. A few commented on the benefits of more activities:
n “Keep the kids busy so they don’t go at the drugs” n “More opportunities to do stuff, get drugs and alcohol out of here” n “A building working on crafts and a place where they can learn their culture to remember and not forget” Some asked for activities on the weekends and weekdays, in the summer and winter. One youth expressed in the survey that “I think the youth centre will be a success” and others expressed that they are curious about what is going to happen there.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 22
Hardest thing #15: Smoking
More than half (57 of 92) the youth indicated they smoked cigarettes. Less than half of the 12-14 year-olds (19 of 45) had smoked. The majority (32 of 42) of those ages 15-18 smoked and all of those ages 19-25 smoked.
Table 5: Nearly two-thirds (57 of 92) youth smoke
Ages 12-14 Ages 15-18 Ages 19-25 Total No gender No gender Female Male Female Male Female Male specified specified Yes 12 7 - 18 14 1 3 2 57 No 12 11 1 1 7 1 - - 33 Sometimes - 1 ------1
Fifty youth indicated the age at which they began smoking: 21 started between age 8 and 10 and 19 started between age 11 and 13. Six youth started smoking before age 8. Of the 54 who provided the number of cigarettes they smoke in a day, the majority (43) smokes less than 14 cigarettes per day.
Feeling strong
There were several other open-ended questions on the health survey and the responses to these questions are summarized below.
Youth were asked, “What are the things that you do in your life that make you feel good about yourself, that make you feel strong (in your body, mind or heart)?” Hockey, sports including wrestling and spending time with family and friends were frequent responses in all age groups and in all genders. To the right is a wordle that represents the answers to this question for all 92 youth. A wordle is a tool for generating “word clouds” from text. The cloud gives greater importance to words that appear more frequently in the text.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 23
Feeling safe
The majority (79 of 92) of youth indicated they feel safe at home. A third feel safe at school and one out of five feel safe in the community. There are differences between males and females, with only 8 out of 46 females feeling safe in the community while 11 of 43 males said they feel safe in the community. Across age groups, roughly the same ratio (1 of 5) feels safe in the community.
Not many youth feel safe in the community
Female Male No gender specified
At home 42 35 2
At school 15 14 1
In community 8 11
All age groups indicated they feel safe with parents, grandparents, other family members, and friends. In school or the community, they feel unsafe because of stray dogs (3), bullies (2), fights (2), and drugs and alcohol in town (4). Youth interests
For many under the age of 19, when asked about their daily life (besides school and home and regular activities like eating) their days included hockey or the arena, wrestling, being on the Internet, and spending time with family and friends. For many, hockey or wrestling is the best part of their day; for a few, it is school and for others it is being with family and friends, or seeing younger siblings or nieces and nephews. Two mentioned that smoking marijuana was the best part of their day.
The five youth who are over the age of 19 said their day includes parenting, smoking weed, sitting all day, not having a routine, visiting family, and riding skidoo or playing sports. For two of them, seeing their children is the best part their day while the other three commented that they liked doing nothing, bedtime, and seeing the sun set.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 24
Three things youth like to do
When asked for three things they like to do, youth identified: n Sports (hockey, wrestling, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, basketball) but only hockey and wrestling were part of their daily routine. n Cultural activities (for example, crafts) n Movies/TV/playing video games n Arts and music (singing, playing guitar, listening to Innu bands and other music, drawing, drama, writing, art, colouring, dancing) n Spending time with family and friends n Outdoor activities (skidoo, walking, camping, fishing, hunting)
Vision for Sheshatshiu
When asked about their vision for Sheshatshiu, 51 of the 92 youth surveyed provided an answer; the other 41 did not respond.
Of those who responded, some have hope for a healthy future (33 of 51). They envision youth returning or completing school, being active and busy with more activities in the community, and making healthy decisions for themselves. They value learning more about Innu culture, envision a community that is clean and healthy again, and believe that things will get better, that youth can change Sheshatshiu. One male, 15-18 years old said, “life is better when we all face it together” while a female of the same age group wrote her vision: “Healthy kids (no smoking, no smoking weed, no doing drugs, etc.) Active kids in sports and them making healthy decisions for themselves. Keep going to school and listen and learn.”
Nine other youth, however, expressed little hope and see a future in which youth are drinking, doing drugs, getting pregnant and fighting. They expressed a sense of hopelessness and a belief that nothing will ever change and that no one is listening to them anyway. One female in the 15-18
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 25
age group expressed that “I’m scared that the current generation will end up jobless, uneducated and drunk” while another said, “everyone tried to make it better but nothing will ever work. You keep trying and you will always fail.”
One thing youth would like to change in their life
When asked what is one thing you would like to change in your life, 22 out of 92 responded they would change nothing. Three said they had no idea or comment while two said they would like to change everything. One commented, “I’ve changed what I wanted to change,” and another said, “nothing cuz I’ve learned so much. How to deal with my problem and I wouldn’t change a thing.” Two commented that they would like to move away.
Nineteen youth commented that they would like to quit an addiction – smoking, marijuana or drinking. For example one youth said, “Would like to quit some things but it’s the reality that changes you.”
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 26
Eleven commented that they would like to be healthier by eating better, drinking more water, or being more active. For some (3) this would result in losing weight or being in better shape (1).
Ten youth commented on their own personal appearance or self-confidence. For example, three commented that they would like to be less isolated or shy or to be allowed to go out while others talked about cutting or dyeing their hair.
Three noted that they wanted to do better at school, with one wanting to “force myself to go to school”.
Something youth love about Sheshatshiu
Nineteen youth stated that there was nothing they love about Sheshatshiu or they were unsure. Many were able to identify things they loved.
Table 6: There is a lot to love about Sheshatshiu
Ages 12-14 Ages 15-18 Ages 19-25 • Playing/walking around • Play outside, riding around, • Family, being • The people, when something tragic sitting at the beach Aboriginal happens everyone gets together • I love how connected everyone • Scenery (2) • The arena, hockey, baseball, gym is, everyone treats each other • Arena, school nights, wrestling, ball hockey, like family volleyball • Only place that feels like home • Family and friends • The sports, the gym, the arena, • It’s a small town, no traffic, rural hockey tournament Our culture area • Seeing people doing activities • Hanging around with friends easily, for the youth and community the smell of nature • Brentwood, CYN, school • I love our language • We don’t have to pay electric • The school, the events, bills • I mostly wished it had an art gallery
Something youth are scared of
Similar themes emerged in the response to this question. The youth outreach worker, while reading the responses especially those from young women relating to being raped or violence noted: “The female respondents have more fears, they give more detailed answers, and they are concerned about being able to protect themselves.” Almost one of five youth identified suicide as something they are scared of.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 27
Here is the list: suicide/hurting themselves (20), no/nothing/not sure/I don’t know (19), drugs (7), skipping school (6), smoking and drinking (5), violence/being raped (5), bullying/being ganged up on (4), harder drugs (3), dogs (3), their future/wellbeing (2), doing wrong stuff/ getting into trouble (2), and being pressured to smoke and drink (2).
Innu culture
Most youth know When asked, “How much do you know about Innu culture?” most youth indicated they "some" about Innu know “some”. Males were more likely to say culture they knew “some” or “a lot” while females were more likely to say they knew “not much.” Not much 15 20 Some 54 A lot
More than two thirds find there are not enough cultural activities 1 When asked “Do you find that there are enough cultural activities in the community for the youth or in Nutshimit?” the majority 28 Enough responded “no” but there were differences Not enough between males and females: females were more likely to find there were not enough 61 Don’t know cultural activities while males were more likely to find there were enough.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 28
Community of Sheshatshiu
Throughout the survey, youth made comments that related to broader issues in the community that affect their daily lives. Below are a few that have not been mentioned in the report to this point. n Town clean-up – less littering, less dogs, recycling garbage (2) “I would like the community to n Economic development – build a mall (Wal-Mart), more know that although a lot of the jobs youth are into drugs and causing n Infrastructure - outdoor skating rink, soccer and/or trouble, but not all of us are like baseball field, community gym, more buildings, a that. Not all of us have bad shelter for depressed people, a place to go and talk, a intentions so stop generalizing us building focused on cultural activities as the ‘pothead, unmotivated’ n Respect – people to respect each other; the generation”. importance of role models for kids Suggested activities for the youth centre
When asked to suggest activities for the youth centre, the survey respondents provided many ideas. n Sports: table tennis, volleyball court, hockey, badminton, pool table, weight lifting equipment, soccer, ball hockey, wrestling, basketball n Cultural: Learn Innu-aimun, sewing, cooking Innu food; learning about the culture, learning how to clean animals, “Crafts and what elders use to make moccasins and Innu clothing, cooking classes; do when they were kids, we crafts and what elders use to do when they were kids; cultural things; Innu classes on the weekend, elders need to know these things as talking well, as we are slowly losing our people“. n Learning activities and support: drugs and alcohol education; a place where we can talk (especially about suicide); education on how to stop smoking n Movies: wrestling, others (movie nights especially popular with females ages 12-14) n Music and art: guitar lessons, music lessons, piano lessons, art, photography, more clubs, art, art festivals and challenges n Cooking lessons n Trips to see movies, to swim, to the playground
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 29
n Events: dances, karaoke night, music bands n Games: board games, bingo, games, cards n Bigger CYN n Girls’ night or sleepovers Cultural activities
When asked what types of cultural activities they would like to see in the community, the survey respondents provided many ideas. n Nutshimit to learn about the culture and how to hunt with elders n Playing games outside, and telling stories n Learn to cook traditional foods (caribou, boil ups, bannock bake off) n Learn how to respect the land n Hunting and hunting trips n Learning Innu-aimun n Tent building and set-up n Sled racing n Fishing n Canoeing n Survival challenges n Snowshoeing n Crafts (earrings, gloves) and traditional clothing n Sweat lodge, smudging n More dancing, more Innu teaching n Walks n Learning about the animals n Shaking tent, skinning caribou n More like Innu culture like walk around the forest, camp with Innu tent, and fun activities like snowboard and sliding
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 30
Youth Gathering
The youth gathering brought together 22 youth ages 18 and under for a weekend at the Labrador Christian Youth Camp. A five-person facilitation team and two elders supported the gathering and the youth. Many activities during the gathering (for example, teambuilding activities, bonfire, games night, painting of a gathering banner, karaoke, colouring books, and kitchen helpers and clean up teams) contributed to its success. The four main activities, cultural activities, Innu timeline, a letter to a future child, and small group discussions are described with pictures and comments below. Elder Elizabeth Penashue opened the gathering with a prayer and commented on how important these types of gatherings are to her and to the community.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 31
Cultural activities
Tony Penashue and Janet Michel organized cultural reflections and activities, including setting up a tent, collecting boughs, and plucking partridges.
Timeline of Innu History
The youth outreach worker explained why she wanted the Innu Timeline to be part of the gathering, “When I started learning about the impact on Innu people, I didn’t know how it felt to be Innu, what it meant to be Innu. All I knew is that I had a different colour and a different language. I did not have any experience in a tent or a cultural identity. I found hope in knowing that there is a vision and that people are working towards that vision. It was a way to reclaim a way of life and to embrace two worlds. I want youth to know Innu history so they can understand who they are and why things are the way they are in our community.”
Lyla Andrew presented the Innu Timeline that shared Innu history with the youth.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 32
Letter to a child
The Letter to a Future child activity began at the Innu Health Planning Forum in 2016. Mary Janet Hill, a participant in the Advanced Leadership Certificate in Community Management (ALCCM), wanted to bring to life the vision held in the Innu Healing Strategy so she began by writing a letter to her future child. Annie Picard and Natasha Hurley, also ALCCM participants, added to the letter. At the planning forum and during an LCCM session they invited others to add to the letter.
During the youth gathering, Mary Janet and Annie talked about the Innu Healing Strategy and read the complete letter to the participants. They then invited the youth to write their own letter to a future child. Here are the youth’s letters:
Letter to my children - you that I give you birth I will always love you you’ll always be in my heart. I’ll always be there if you want me there. I seriously can’t wait for your first birthday I hope the time goes on. So you can finish high school and college. Love you my future child.
Dear future child. I hope your writing and spelling is nothing like mine.
What I want to see for my children in the future is to be sober and clean, stay in school, finish high school, move on to college then university to get his/her degree or masters degree. To learn my Innu culture back in the day like for example to set up a tent, picking up boughs and helping out with elders, people, kids and his/her kids. I want him/her to show respect all the time. Learn how to pray.
I hope for you…to have a good life. To take care of their children, keep watch on them, hug them; feed them healthy food like vegetable, like broccoli. I hope you help your children to play sports. And play hide-and-seek with them. I hope you help your children to play music. And I hope your child drinks lots of water. And I hope to teach your kids respect.
Son, I want you to respect others. I want you to be a great leader among the community. I want to learn about my grandparents and my culture.
Few friends, few beers bonfire under the sun. Dear future son/daughter live by this quote made by the best person alive.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 33
Youth Gathering Small Group Discussion
On the final morning of the gathering, the participants were asked to answer the following three questions as a part of a small group activity. The questions and the youth’s answers are captured below. Answers are repeated when they were provided more than once.
What is one wish you have for youth in Sheshatshiu? Why? n More cultural activities during school hours and credit for these activities n To have more cultural activities because we’re losing our culture n More camping for the youth and to learn more about the Innu culture n Hunting, trapping, cooking, swimming, crafts, moccasins, tea dolls n Setting up a tent, cleaning animals, hunting, canoeing, sewing, learn to cook Innu mitshum (food) n Stop youth from using drugs. Drugs are taking over youth. n Football field for the youth. Not many varieties of sports available now n Have more respect, because there isn’t any n Our own grocery store because some people don’t have enough gas n More carnival events
What is one thing youth workers like Amanda can do to help you be healthy/stay healthy? n Talk to youth one-on-one n Do presentations to talk about how not being healthy will effect youth health (presentations in both community and in school) n To eat Innu food plus to exercise n More healthy cooking classes. Outside activities. Workout activities and workout room
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 34
n Go hiking. Going snowshoeing. Swimming. Canoeing. Exercise classes. Healthy cooking classes. Cleaning outside. n Snowshoeing in the winter/woods n Hiking/walking around in the community n To have a fitness/cardio class n To make good choices n Visiting elders and youth in the community to talk about the past and the future n To have swimming pool in our community n Soccer/football field n Apex (trampolines) n Bingo hall n Movie theatre n More camping for youth n More youth gathering n Innu Crafts n Want Coronation Street to look like a city
What are the next steps to take? (Activities, message to leaders, programs)
Youth at the gathering said they want the leaders to know that they want the following things to happen: n Youth gathering in the country (4) n Have sleepover summer camp n Go around in the community and ask school dropouts what they think should happen, what changes they want to see in their community n Surveys n Open the youth centre
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 35
n I want kids to continue with their culture n Biking/going for a walk/hiking (2) n Innu-aimun classes (2) n To learn how to make snowshoes, handbags, tea dolls, Innu donuts, hunting, canoes, sand bread n Setting up a tent: putting boughs, Innu clothes n Innu stories n Helping elders n Be mature n Hunting n Exercise classes in the youth centre n School presentations to talk about mental health issues n Sewing classes n More funding for youth At the end of the youth gathering while looking at the Innu Healing Strategy page 40, the youth outreach worker noted that one of the goals of the Strategy had been achieved: “Innu youth should be asked about what they want for their future through a youth forum.”
Conclusion
The results of the focus group, survey and youth gathering give direction for next steps and recommendations. The youth have said that what they want and what supports they need to create their own healthy future. An action plan identifying youth health priorities has been developed (Appendix 1) and will be presented to community leaders by the youth outreach worker and youth.
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 36
Appendix 1: Youth Health Priorities
Based on the input of the youth of Sheshatshiu between the ages of 12 and 25, the following recommendations were prepared by the youth outreach with the support of her Leadership in Community Management coach. These will be presented to community leaders and partners and will be used to develop a youth health strategy. It has been an honour to hear the voices of the youth of Sheshatshiu and we hope that these recommendations meet their needs, reflect their dreams, and are acted upon to create a healthy future.
Clear Mandate and Roles
q Provide a clear mandate and roles and responsibilities for youth services and the youth centre
q Create a youth committee (board) for input into the youth centre’s programs and activities
q Improve coordination among youth service providers in the community
Culture and Identity
q Youth gatherings in the country with elders
q Cultural programming during school hours and educational credits for traditional knowledge
q Regular cultural activities (for example, setting up a tent, cleaning animals, hunting, canoeing, sewing, crafts, learn to cook Innu mitshum, moccasins, tea dolls)
q Innu teachers
q Learn Innu-aimun, including at school beyond the elementary grades
q Learn about Innu history including the Innu family tree and relations
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 37
Consistent Programs and Activities
q Open the youth centre
q Offer a variety of activities: sports/physical activity, arts and music, cultural activities, movies/video games, educational activities
q Healthy cooking classes including traditional Innu food
q Organize events: carnival, community events, sporting events
q More community facilities: sports fields, trampolines, gym
Youth Health Services
q Presentations in community and in school to talk about how not being healthy will affect youth health, for example:
q Education on drugs and alcohol
q Education and support to quit smoking
q Treatment and support options
q Brentwood youth group with the new treatment centre opening
q An aftercare program for youth that go out for treatment
q More youth counsellors and people to talk to one-on-one in the community, including grief counselling services
q Encourage healthy relationships through education and support
q Education on safe sex, teen pregnancy/prevention
q Help youth understand the effect of bullying through storytelling and presentations
q School presentations to talk about mental health issues including suicide prevention
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 38
q One third of the youth surveyed said that Sheshatshiu should ban drugs and alcohol
Education and Employment
q Learn more about why youth are not going to school and what supports they need to go back to school (young parents for example)
q Encourage and support youth to attend school
q Create employment opportunities for youth
q Create opportunities for youth to learn about leadership
Youth Outreach
Provide the resources needed to do more youth outreach. For example, reach out:
q To youth that have dropped out of school
q To young parents
q And focus on healthy relationships, safe sex (maybe hold a focus group)
Support to Parents and Families
q More parenting programs
q Family programs: for example, family healing circles. Youth need to express how they feel to their parents
q Youth support groups for youth living with a parent with addictions
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 39
Community Issues
Youth want what adults in the community want:
q A safe community – only 8 out of 46 female youth feel safe in the community
q More housing and for young parents to be considered for housing
q Economic development: jobs, a grocery store
q Town clean-up and recycling
Youth Health Initiative 2016
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation 40