Creating Pathways of Leadership and Opportunity for Indigenous Girls and Youth

By Shynnia Kipling-Appleyard, 1st Year Student

Placement: Southeast Child and Family Services: Family Preservation Unit

My role at my field placement is to develop, create and submit a program designed to foster a culturally safe space for Indigenous girls aged 8-17 years. With two separate age groups, the Indigenous girls leadership program will target various core areas of leadership, creative expression, communication, cultural connection, identity, community and family. As a First Nation woman who grew up in Winnipeg’s Inner-City, for me this program is not only meaningful, but relationship focused. I know how important it is for a program to exist within Winnipeg’s Inner-City, specifically for those within the Child and Family Services System.

So why develop an Indigenous Youth Girls Leadership Program?

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Statistics Canada has reported that Indigenous children and youth make up 90% of children and youth in care. At the same time, the number of missing Indigenous girls and women continues to rise, with Indigenous girls and women reported to be 12 times more likely to go missing or experience violence. These challenges are rooted in historical and contemporary colonial systems, policies, and practices that continue to affect Indigenous families and communities deeply. This reality highlights a need for support and reflects how systems have failed generations of Indigenous children and youth.

More importantly, the strengths and resilience of Indigenous families and communities must be recognized beyond statistics related to poverty, violence and child apprehensions. Therefore, grounding the Indigenous Youth Girls Leadership Program in traditional ways of knowing and being fosters space for cultural connection and opportunities for young girls facing barriers within the child and family services system.

With guidance from elders and knowledge keepers, families and community participants will strengthen their connection to culture, language, identity, traditional values, and collective well-being while developing practical leadership skills. While offering a safe and supportive environment where Indigenous girls can celebrate their strengths, skills, share their voices and explore themselves as future leaders.
This placement has provided me with the opportunity to create a program, a space where young girls can nurture their gifts, talents, but more importantly, a safe space to share, connect and build relationships.