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Aboriginal Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
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Aboriginal people with developmental disabilities who require support services often live away from their families and communities. Therefore, many of these individuals have little or no opportunity to experience their culture and traditions.
Goal
Provide aboriginal awareness training to support networks for persons with developmental disabilities within PDD's Central region. Staff education will assist in closing the cultural gap for Aboriginal people who require support services. |
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What Have We Done So Far:
Barb Alberts and former Michener employee Bev Sliger began the First Nations Circle of Friends group at Michener Services in March 2000 by:
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Identifying the need to support Aboriginal adults with developmental disabilities;
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Developing goals and criteria for group members;
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Coordinating and facilitating cultural opportunities for group members through staff education, community resources and the promotion of family and community connections. education, community resources and the promotion of family and community connections.
Membership is open to adult individuals with developmental disabilities within Central Alberta who are from a variety of Aboriginal cultures.
Barrier
The above program is offered only in the Red Deer area, thus too far away for many Aboriginal people with developmental disabilities to access.
What Can Be Done
Barb can provide you with information on:
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How to start and implement your own Aboriginal program
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Cultural awareness training
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How to get people closer to their culture
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Aboriginal protocol
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Terminology
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Understanding the culture (basic information to get you started)
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How to link with Aboriginal communities
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Barriers you may encounter
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Management and/or organizational supports
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Information on networking
We Will Come to You
The Aboriginal Supports program offers a PowerPoint presentation that may include a hands-on cultural activity for your group or agency. There’s a variety of topics from which to choose. All you have to do is book a time and topic(s) of your choice.
Barb can be reached at (403) 358-2894, (403) 340-5900 or barb.alberts@gov.ab.ca
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