Abstract
The Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Centre (NNHC) in Muncey, ON provides residential treatment to First Nations and Inuit youth
who abuse solvents. As a complement to its culture-based programming, in 2008 the centre began offering weekly equine-assisted
learning (EAL) curriculum to its clients in partnership with the Keystone Equine Centre and the Lambton Equine Assisted Learning
Centre. This study explores the potential benefit of the EAL program on youths’ healing. We conducted 15 interviews with two
intakes of male and female EAL program participants and 6 NNHC and EAL staff, reviewed EAL facilitator and NNHC staff reflections
and participants’ EAL journals, and observed the EAL program. It was concluded that youths’ healing was aided through the
availability of a culturally-relevant space; from within an Aboriginal worldview this understanding of space is central to individual and communal well-being. This was
conveyed in three key themes that emerged from the data: spiritual exchange, complementary communication, and authentic occurrence.
This understanding provides insight into the dynamics of healing for Aboriginal youth who abuse solvents, and may be applicable
to other programming and populations.
who abuse solvents. As a complement to its culture-based programming, in 2008 the centre began offering weekly equine-assisted
learning (EAL) curriculum to its clients in partnership with the Keystone Equine Centre and the Lambton Equine Assisted Learning
Centre. This study explores the potential benefit of the EAL program on youths’ healing. We conducted 15 interviews with two
intakes of male and female EAL program participants and 6 NNHC and EAL staff, reviewed EAL facilitator and NNHC staff reflections
and participants’ EAL journals, and observed the EAL program. It was concluded that youths’ healing was aided through the
availability of a culturally-relevant space; from within an Aboriginal worldview this understanding of space is central to individual and communal well-being. This was
conveyed in three key themes that emerged from the data: spiritual exchange, complementary communication, and authentic occurrence.
This understanding provides insight into the dynamics of healing for Aboriginal youth who abuse solvents, and may be applicable
to other programming and populations.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s10566-011-9140-z
- Authors
- Colleen Anne Dell, Department of Sociology and School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, 9 Campus Drive, 1015 Arts Building, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5, Canada
- Darlene Chalmers, Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, Saskatoon, SK Canada
- Nora Bresette, Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Centre, Muncey, ON Canada
- Sue Swain, Keystone Equine Centre, West Lorne, ON Canada
- Deb Rankin, Lambton Equine Assisted Learning Centre, Brigden, ON Canada
- Carol Hopkins, National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, Muskoday, SK Canada
- Journal Child and Youth Care Forum
- Online ISSN 1573-3319
- Print ISSN 1053-1890