Indigenous Advisory to Cultural Programming

Deliberate Relational Engagement

During the development of Men&, a digital resource hub for men, Indigenous men were identified as a group that had not been explicitly consulted, yet was represented in the target audience for the resource. Very few resources are available for Indigenous men.  Bluerock assembled a community advisory with Indigenous representatives from across the province. Invitations were extended to key community stakeholders, identified through relationships and connections with Elders, community initiatives and community groups. 

Collective Sensemaking

The consultation process started with an engagement meeting to share information about the Men& project, its goals and possibilities and how that could intersect with supporting Indigenous men looking to build healthier families and communities. After several months of connecting and building relationships the group explored different ways of seeing and understanding what could be possible through the project. Time was spent exploring alternate ways of knowing and perspectives. Eventually, this led to the group recommending that the Men& resources for Indigenous men needed to be offered through land-based programming. The group decided to begin in ceremony. The entire Men& advisory group and planning members engaged in a sweat to begin the process of developing an adaptive and responsive resource - quite different from what had been originally imagined.

Following an immersive beginning, deepening relationships and trust, the group recommended the development of a land based program that would support Indigenous men learn and understand the processes around sweat ceremonies and how to support the practices in their community, placing them in a learning and support role within a culturally safe environment. 

Collaborative Action and Learning

The discovery process and reflection led to a land-based program aimed at engaging Indigenous men in a process to learn about and understand their culture through ceremony and helping others. The Cultural Helpers Initiative emerged.  Men& now offers land-based programming for Indigenous men to connect with their traditional culture and with Elders who can support their learning and growth. The initiative creates opportunities for Indigenous men, to improve their well-being and their relationships with their family and community through cultural connection and teachings, while concretely helping their community.

The advisory group provided the structure and process of the program and oversaw the implementation of the initiative. The project was tested over a few months and has now been established on a regular schedule. Over 160 men participated in the first year. Sixty men continue to attend regularly.