Project proposal for introducing 4-H Programs to the First Nations Communities in Manitoba

By Elijah Osei Yeboah, 2nd year MDP student

4-H is an international organization which educates and engages children and youth (6-25 years) in activities of their interest while equipping them with essential skills such as public speaking and leadership. 4-H programs have many direct and indirect benefits. The direct ones include helping participants to acquire and hold jobs and equip participants with relevant employment skills such as teamwork and time management. Also, they engage the youth in meaningful activities that can help build their lives. Volunteerism is encouraged which is an indicator of social capital. Many development practitioners believe high social capital strongly correlates with development. The indirect benefits are the returns on having well-trained children and youth who can contribute immensely to the growth of their communities, provinces, Canada and the world at large.

4-H clubs have been present in the province since 1913. In fact, the first Canadian club was formed in Manitoba. However, there is no club in First Nations communities now because the few ones which were started were not sustained. This project seeks to develop and run 4-H programs in First Nations communities in Manitoba. The project will be piloted in 2 southern First Nations communities and 2 northern communities for a year and scaled up based on the evaluation findings. The project expansion will be guided by a 12 year development plan which will be developed with the project stakeholders.

The goal of the project is to promote youth development through socio-economic, political and cultural activities. Project coordinators will be employed to ensure the day-to-day running of the project. The community coordinators should have a very good understanding of Indigenous issues in Canada. They should not live more than a 100 km radius of the community to make it easy for them to visit the communities easily. This can help them perform their duties well and also build a good relationship with the community residents. The following organizations/leaders will partner with 4-H Manitoba to implement this project:

•             Department of Agriculture, Manitoba
•             Agricultural Services Canada
•             Indigenous and Northern Relations
•             Indigenous Services Canada
•             Chief and council of First Nations communities in Manitoba
•             Community-based organizations

The 4-H pledge below guides all 4-H activities.

4-H Pledge. Source: 4-H Manitoba, 2019