Building Cultural Competency
Building Cultural Competency (BCC) is a learning opportunity that engages both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants towards gaining a greater understanding of Indigenous history, culture and traditions. We do this by delivering training modules, participants gain first-hand knowledge about the history of Indigenous people in Canada through participation in experiential learning opportunities. Exposure to teachings from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers are a key component to the success of the program.
In the 2024/2025 fiscal year, we had completed our fourth year of partnership with Regina Word Preparation Centre and their Youth on Their Way to Work (YOWW) program. We had the goal to engage participants in cultural understanding based on traditional teachings for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth ages 16 to 30 years of age. The youth were hosted at our location for their training. This provided an excellent opportunity for cultural exposure as the youth participated in sharing circles in our specially designed Circle Room. This room is a culturally safe space that provided the group the opportunity to explore their thoughts and feelings around what they were learning. Our hope for the young participants is that they learn new skills and knowledge to make healthier choices and to gain cultural knowledge so they find their way in the work place as they connect with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Additionally in 2024/2025, we delivered a total of 54 hours of programming for 32 youth. The BCC program saw a 37% decrease in the number of Indigenous participants and a 16% decrease in those who self-declared as being intergenerational survivors of Residential Schools. New this year were a higher number of newcomers to Canada in the BBC program, representing about half of the participants. An important aspect of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action is sharing Indigenous culture and the traditional teachings with newcomers and non-Indigenous peoples as an important step towards true reconciliation.
As we move forward, we are looking forward to new opportunities to share culture awareness and reconciliation as we bridge the gaps in our community through building cultural understanding.
100% of the youth who participated in the BCC program stated that they learn something new.
100% completed the program.
“I learned about the medicine wheel and about how to use Circle Project’s positive and negative activators everyday.” – S.K.
“After learning about the Medicine Wheel I have more control over my feelings, and I will focus more on building discipline in my professional and personal life. – Z.E.
“Today I learned about balancing professional and person life which is a very important thing in life.” – Z.E.
“I learned a little bit about smudging. Mostly what was valuable was the empowering, compassionate and motivational way in which the module was formed.” – A.K.
“I’ve learned that everyone has their own struggles. I also learned that everyone has a different perspective.” – D.M.
“I feel more confident, empowered and optimistic after this module.” – A.K.
“I learned to set more boundaries for myself and figure out better ways to take care of myself.” – M.R.M.
“I’ve learned to be grateful for everyone in life. I’ve learned to be kind to everyone and I also learned about mental health.” – D.M.
“I enjoy a lot of what we are learning through the Circle Project. I feel like I am being gently nudged in a positive direction which I am grateful for.” – A.K.
