Building Active, Healthy Communities with Rural Aboriginal Communities in Western Janet Naclia and Lisa McLaughlin 2015 CDS Conference July 20, 2015 Objectives…….

1) Introduce ARPA 2) Introduce the Communities ChooseWell initiative 3) Share successes from rural Aboriginal communities 4) Summarize Learnings Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA)

Our Mission: ARPA exists to enhance the quality of life of all Albertans by collaborating with our members and partners to build healthy citizens, communities and environments. What is Communities ChooseWell?

• Goal: Stimulate and support community action, using recreation and parks as a catalyst, to develop active, healthy communities and enhance the health, wellness and quality of life of all Albertans. • Objectives: build capacity, develop intersectoral partnerships, support policy development • Managed by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association and funded by Alberta Health (Government of Alberta)

Benefits of Being a ChooseWell Community • It’s free! (sponsored by Alberta Health) • Online Resource Toolkit • Opportunity to make connections • Education • Recognition • Funding Opportunities – Seed funding grants (20 x $2,000 in 2014) Fort McKay First Nation • There are approximately 700 , and Métis community members living in Fort McKay

• ChooseWell Leader is Julia Soucie who is the Manager of the Fort McKay Wellness Centre

• Was awarded the top Communities ChooseWell honour for 2014: Overall Healthy Provincial Community Champion. This marks the third award-winning year in a row for Fort McKay

• Fort McKay is one of the smallest

ChooseWell communities Weekly snowshoe trips snowshoe Weekly Opportunities are created to help residents be more active like a gym floor that’s been installed in the arena this recent summer. Winter tubing, an indoor bike rodeo, and weekly snowshoe excursions make physical activities fun!

It started out with Treaty Days and now there is a multi-agency Community Development Team advocating for healthy food initiatives as well as policy supported by the Chief and Council. This year’s award is the culmination of years of small steps, Julia says, and the journey continues.

“Our greatest success is the community’s participation and willingness to change and shift towards a healthier future.” • In the news for the community’s name change back from Hobbema to which means Bear Hills in Cree

• Maskwacis is a community of 15,000 whose population base is drawn from four Cree bands - the Samson and Ermineskin Cree Nations, and

• Project completed with the Maskwacis Four Nation Recreation Departments in partnership with Samson

• Communities ChooseWell leader is Kacey Yellowbird - President of the ‘Magic of Youth to Excel, Empower, & Educate’ Foundation

• Received a $2000 seed grant for their SAMSON COMMUNITY FREEZER INITIATIVE youth Participating

Stresses the importance of teaching others the skill of hunting, so young men can fend for themselves and feed their families. Skill development for young people in the art of hunting, skinning, cleaning, cutting and packaging a kill.

Issues of food security was a priority. A total of 16 moose (6375 kg) were processed for 87 families. Emphasis was made on healthy alternatives at cultural events, family functions, wakes, funerals and feasts as well as for those in need.

Kacey states that it was his respect for the traditional Cree ways that made the project successful. He says:

“We had some sessions where we taught others how to cook the meat like our ancestors used too. It was enlightening and life changing to learn how to dry, smoke and preserve meat longer and make it healthier as well.” Calling Lake

• Calling Lake is a in , immediately north of Calling

Lake Provincial Park

• The area is home to the . The population is approx 415 but increases during ‘cottage season’

• Communities ChooseWell leader is Angela Lightening, a municipal staff member

volunteering at the local Bike Shop Shop Bike the local at volunteering • Calling Lake has a long relationship with ARPA as an original ACE Community and Active Community Gladue Strategy (ACS) community. They received a ChooseWell seed grant Joseph

Francois Auger had a dream. Literally.

“In my dream, I saw a lot of old people paddling canoes on a lake,” said Francois, an elder living in Calling Lake. “I could hear drums and people singing. It was so joyful. I had never had such a joyful dream. I’m grateful for that.” 31 seniors in five voyageur canoes were propelled around the lake by 20 local youth. Mountain Soul, a drumming group from the Ermineskin Reserve, set up circle on a pontoon boat alongside the canoes.

This blend of cultural tradition and physical activity marks many of Calling Lake’s community programs. Several families in the community took part last spring in a moose-hide tanning project. Lessons Learned • Importance of local, empowered leaders • Patience and small steps are key • Great things can happen with few resources • Need flexibility in programs and asset-based approach • One size doesn’t fit all • There are many paths to the same outcomes • Relationship building is critical • Need to adapt communication methods and program materials • Don’t need to be the solution – but part of the solution Contact Us

Calgary • Lisa McLaughlin (Manager): – Phone: (403) 479-2453 – [email protected] • Janet Naclia: – Phone: (403) 471-7411 – [email protected] Web http://arpaonline.ca/choosewell http://communities.arpaonline.ca/