Wecihitowin Project
Connecting With Our Culture For a Stronger Community
Using Indigenous Teachings and Traditions to Strengthen Families
This program offers strategies to strengthen families through Indigenous teachings and traditions. Each family is fully supported by the Circle of Care model, and is encouraged to understand the importance of balance through Medicine Wheel teachings.
It aims to shift families from intervention to prevention by teaching harm reduction skills, building relationships with Elders and community members, and providing opportunities to connect with culture and the land.
Some activities include family lake trips, medicine gathering, arts & crafts, sewing shirts, jingle dresses & blankets, and Halloween and Christmas parties.
The program often supports families with clothing giveaways, emergency purchase orders, meal hampers and a food pantry.
The Wecihitowin Project is delivered in a seven-week cycle based on the Seven Sacred Teachings:
Wisdom (orientation) Beaver
Truth (history) Turtle
Respect (personal & family wellness) Bison
Courage (parenting) Bear
Honesty (effects on the child of addictions & family violence) Sabe
Love (life skills) Eagle
Humility (traditional parenting) Wolf
Services Offered
- Counselling & parenting classes
- Parent services, Elder services & respite
- Home visits
- Administrative assistance
- Advocating & court support
- Transportation services
- Cultural & land-based activities
- Links to other community resources & services
Goals & Objectives
- To provide culturally appropriate support services to Indigenous families to help them make healthy choices for healthy lives
- To provide early intervention, prevention, education & family supports to NCN families who may be experiencing difficulties
- To keep children safe
- To create a continuous circle of connections that start with community
- To help families develop their own safety plans
Why do I need the Wecihitowin Project?
By embracing our culture and our inherent wisdom, we believe all parents can be supportive and loving, and all children can be nurtured and fulfilled.
From our stories and traditions, we know the Nehetho people have always relied on strong family units. In healthy families, our parents, children, Elders and extended members give us the strength, wisdom and good character we need to be upstanding individuals and contributing community members.
Through practical prevention strategies, early intervention, education, family supports and continual connection, we help families transform from crisis and trauma to peace and contentment.