One Arrow Equestrian One Arrow First Nation proudly announces Centre’s EAL Four Good Reasons Cover this Event 1) THE LEADING, First Nation COMMUNITY (nationally and internationally) to offer a personal growth and development program for every youth in the community to participate in, delivered through the school; a ground breaking commitment to the overall wellness to One Arrow First Nation. One Arrow EAL Directors will be on-site and available for interviews June 9th, at 11:30 a.m. 2) EAL RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP, AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING IN THE WELLBEING OF FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE LIVING ON RESERVE; The study is a collaborative effort between the One Arrow Equestrian Ctr (offers EAL Program), researchers at Brandon University (School of Health Studies), Almightyvoice Educational Centre (educational partnership and support), One Arrow First Nation of Saskatchewan (Chief and Council providing full support). Press Packet Researcher from BU, EAL Dirs, School Principal, and One Arrow First Nation Special Education Dir will be on-site and available for interviews, at 11:30 a.m. 3) ONE ARROW EQUESTRIAN CENTRE GRAND One Arrow Equestrian Centre OPENING and Inspire Direction Equine Assisted I.D.E.A.L. Program Learning Program (I.D.E.A.L.), first program of its kind, Inspire Direction Equine Assisted Learning designed to facilitate new skills for personal growth and Box 89, Domremy, SK S0K1G0 development: four teachers and their students will be Lawrence Gaudry – Executive Director, 306.423.5454 demonstrating different EAL exercises in the arena Koralie Gaudry – Program Director, 306.233.8826 www.oaecidealprogram.ca E-mail: [email protected] between 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. 4) FIRST ANNUAL EAL GRADUATION; teachers and students will be demonstrating their skills, and will be 306.423.5858 presented with participation certificates at 3:00 One Arrow First Nation One Arrow First Nation Equine Assisted Learning Fact Sheet Press Conference Agenda Although the band membership continue to grow, One Arrow First Nation, like other First Nation people across Canada are still experiencing hardships. These issues spill over to First Nation youth who are experiencing: 8:00am PANCAKE BREAKFAST, One Arrow Treaty Committee kicks off family activities with a pancake breakfast at the Almightyvoice $ significant difficulties at home and school; Education Centre $ placed in foster care, over four times the rate of non-Aboriginal children; $ failing to complete high school; 11:00am PRESS CONFERENCE guest speakers: $ over-representation among those charged with criminal offences; $ Chief Dwayne Paul, One Arrow First Nation, will present a brief $ statistically higher chance of victimization; overview of the reasons he and the Council believed in the benefits $ experiencing feelings of alienation and depression; Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) could bring to his community and $ high incidents of childhood sexual or physical abuse; report on some of the successes they have already observed; $ engaging in high risk behaviors, high rates of attempts and suicide; $ A student from Almightyvoice Education Centre, introduce the $ low employment rates; Inspire Direction Equine Assisted Learning (E.A.L.) program at the One Arrow Equestrian Center; $ Tribal Chief Felix Thomas, Saskatoon Tribal Council, as an The leaders of One Arrow First Nation continue to stand up for what they advocate of accountability, personal growth and development, believe in are creative problem solvers, and forward thinkers. They are Thomas will speak to the success health and social development working on strategies to prevent these issues instead of just managing could experience by delivering EAL to every youth in the community crisis. They are not relying solely on the Government to support or direct through the school; he is encouraged with One Arrow’s EAL resolution of their problems, but take responsibility themselves. Today they preliminary educational findings and supportive of the One carry on with their culture still intact. They teach their children to carry on Arrow/Brandon University’s research partnership’s potential to these traditions and remain true to their own spirituality. provide a long lasting positive solution to some of the current issues; The leaders sought out ways to assist their people to deal with the issues $ Vice Chief Morley Watson, FSIN, to speak on IDEAL program they face now, and provide them skills to prevent the issues in the future as potential in relation to his role as the Justice Secretariat; well as a way to build the community‟s capacity to be strong, positive $ Andrea C. Hinch-Bourns, Brandon University, will have the leaders of tomorrow. privilege to officially announce the partnership of Brandon University‟s Health Studies researchers, the Inspire Direction To regain their strength as a strong community lost during their hardships, Equine Assisted Learning (E.A.L.) program at the One Arrow Chief and Council decided it was important to provide the members with Equestrian Center, and the Almightyvoice Education Centre; culturally congruent, valuable life skill development through partnership with intended focus of the study: an exploratory study of the the horse. contribution of equine assisted learning in the wellbeing of first nations people living on reserve The horse is a powerful spiritual entity in Cree culture. The horse gives us strength and symbolizes freedom. One Arrow has made a significant 11:30am INTERVIEWS each person will be onsite identified by a name investment financially, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually in badge and available for interviews at the press tent using Equine Assisted Learning and therapies as a fundamental strategy to $ Guest Speakers, (listed above); instill hope, healing and prosperity for their community. One Arrow First $ Lawrence & Koralie Gaudry, EAL Program Directors; Nation is honoring that spirit and extends an invitation to other bands and $ Candace Scott, Principal Almightyvoice Education Centre Government officials to recognize One Arrow‟s efforts in utilizing the horse $ Connie Regnier, AEC Special Education Director as part of their education and healing strategies. One Arrow First Nation is $ School teachers and students attending the EAL program. seeking support to keep this innovative and unique project alive, not only for One Arrow, but also for other people in the territory. 12:00 – 3:00pm GRAND OPENING, RIBBON CUTTING, E.A.L. YOUTH DEMONSTRATION STATIONS inside the arena and LUNCH 3:00pm STUDENT EAL GRADUATION CEREMONY in the One Arrow Equestrian Centre arena. 4:00 – 6:00pm ROAST BEEF SUPPER in the One Arrow Equestrian Centre arena. youth and community members to be strong, confident and capable people that can be leaders today and tomorrow," stated Chief Paul. How: Unlike other equine assisted activities that involve riding and focus on physical and developmental disabilities (e.g. Riding, hippotherapy), the specially designed activities at One Arrow Equestrian Centre‟s I.D.E.A.L program are 100% on the ground and focus on metaphoric and experiential learning. In addition, the I.D.E.A.L program utilizes a professional team consisting of certified facilitators, a certified equine specialist, and the News Release – June 09, 2011 – horses to address learning and treatment goals. This unique facility has One Arrow First Nation, Saskatchewan professional staff dedicated to providing positive life skills, leadership and Contact: Koralie Gaudry, phone 306-423-5858, e-mail: [email protected] teambuilding services in a fun and exciting atmosphere. Teams of participants work together with a horse partner to overcome "Horses can’t talk, but they communicate if you listen" challenges/obstacle courses set forth by the I.D.E.A.L team. One Arrow First Nations proudly announces THE FIRST, First Nation Each horse/human obstacle has an objective that the participants learn and COMMUNITY (nationally and internationally) to offer a personal growth and experience hands on. The objectives of the program are tailored to the development program for every youth in the community to participate in, group in the arena. A group of school kids may benefit learning about delivered through the school; a ground breaking commitment to the overall assertiveness and problem solving, whereas a corporate group looking to wellness to One Arrow First Nation. develop their employees into an effective team may benefit from working on communication or teambuilding challenges. While participants work in the EAL Research Partnership Agreement, AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF arena with horses, the I.D.E.A.L facilitators point out the teachable moments THE CONTRIBUTION OF EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING IN THE provided by the horse. This allows participants to gain awareness into WELLBEING OF FIRST NATION PEOPLE LIVING ON RESERVE; The current self limiting behaviors and have an opportunity to practice new skills. study is a collaborative effort between the One Arrow Equestrian Centre After the experience in the arena, participants are given an opportunity to (offers EAL Program), researchers at Brandon University (School of Health debrief and discuss what they learned and how they can apply their new Studies), Almightyvoice Educational Centre (educational partnership and skill learned or new awareness into their everyday life to be more support), One Arrow First Nation of Saskatchewan successful. ONE ARROW EQUESTRIAN CENTRE GRAND OPENING and Inspire The IDEAL approach is a strength based approach that focuses