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Eric Nicolas Schneider
Joined: Nov 12, 2003
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Country: Germany
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Indigenous Youth Empowerment
February 6, 2004 @ 03:48 AM
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Hi there,
how about sharing some best practices for empowering indigenous youth? In education, in educating the dominant society, in projecteering versus drug addiction, community building, media access etc. I hope we find solutions from all over the world. I am involved in the design of an educational online environment aiming to provide original intercultural education, - simultaneous with youth empowerment and sustainability education.
So: what we find here, will find practical use in the near future :-) Where are the young experts on this journey ?
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Charity Fadun
Joined: Aug 26, 2003
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Odd Jobs for Kids
February 6, 2004 @ 06:04 AM
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I'd like to mention one program that seems to be working in my city to empower indigenous youth...
I am a social work student doing a practicum in community development in an inner city neighbourhood in Winnipeg, Canada. We have many First Nations people in my city and particularly in the inner city.
This program is called Odd Jobs for Kids. Most of the kids/youth who participate in the program are First Nations or of mixed ancestory. The program is funded by various foundations. How it works is that kids/youth are paid to do odd jobs around the community. They can start in flier delivery or snow removal, but there are also other jobs in grocers, stores.... There is a great demand for the program. Lots of kids want to be involved. It's a great way for them to make money, get experience and build their self esteem. It also helps the community. There has been less crime and business owners in the community have access to an affordable workforce.
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Eric Nicolas Schneider
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Re: Indigenous Youth Empowerment
February 6, 2004 @ 06:18 AM
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Thank you for this post!
An interesting and constructive solution for reducing "destructive" energy. So, the general approach is to organize youth's TIME and ENERGY, establishing community RELATIONS, and INCOME.
Please pardon if I add that the real self-confidence we should be aiming at is beyond the level of defining oneself as a useful labourer. I am saying this because, e.g., many german youngsters, especially in Eastern Germany are concerned about one thing: fear of joblessness. Help! Isn't there more than that to life ? There's no way to starve or freeze to death in Germany, yet! Any dreams ? And what about the big picture URGENCIES: transforming societies towards sustainability ? we might even say "survival".
Could (indigenous) youth become key players in community development and the public voice ?
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johnny flink
Joined: Feb 7, 2004
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Re: Indigenous Youth Empowerment
February 8, 2004 @ 12:08 PM
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I am not indigenous, but the question of defining identity (tradition, spirituality, a true account of history and violation of human rights) seems to be the key for uprooted indigenous youth. So that they do not live "between" two worlds, but can "act in" two worlds. When I say history, we must not forget that there are many tribal peoples suffering from murder and cultural genocide right now!
www.survival-international.org 's website follows what is going on worldwide.
Then, it's about making use of information technology and connecting to civil society NGOs working in the field of empowerment, human rights and self-determined development. Youth leadership communities as TIG can be very powerful!!
I am impressed by www.peacechild.org, who connect schools from e.g. Britain and rural India for online intercultural projects. The kids soon discover their similarities as human family, but also the differences. Often, the affluent kids decide to help their peers in basic needs, and seek funding for this specific project. Amazing to see what 12-year-olds can accomplish! Ryan is my favourite : www.ryanswell.org !
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Eric Nicolas Schneider
Joined: Nov 12, 2003
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Re: Indigenous Youth Empowerment
February 16, 2004 @ 04:22 AM
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I had hoped that this topic would trigger more feedback in form of examples for empowerment... including perspectives from the other threads, a promising aproach appears to connect rural, urban and tribal children / youth with wisdom keepers and tribal councils, educate about the truth of history and murder, correcting racial prejudice and informing about global issues and sustainability issues, combined with access to networks and action for taking care of the environment, community etc.
Connecting concerned affluent educated youth with the underpriviledged (lacking communication resources) is a major factor. There are some very interesting projects underway for establishing this connection in international the school sector. Everybody who is interested to get involved in this by online volunteering is very welcome to find out more about this via email to eric@cafeweltgeist.org
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