As part of its mission to create a strong and engaged membership grounded in Métis knowledge, language, and culture, the BC Métis Federation (BCMF) launched an online series designed to support children, youth, and families. The series ran from September to November 2024.
“A healthy childhood starts in healthy communities,” said Lisa Armstrong, Director of Child, Youth, and Family. “For Métis, intergenerational trauma, the legacy of residential schools, and the ongoing impact of the colonial child welfare system can present additional challenges. It’s an honour to support Métis families through their healing journeys, and this fall series is one important aspect of that.”
- Family resources and roadblocks
- Support for families navigating the court system
- Healthy coping strategies for anger and stress
- Taking care of yourself with the Métis Self-care Wheel
- Keeping children and youth safe from online sexual exploitation
Fall Online Series Events
Child, Youth & Family Resources and Roadblocks
This online event was a round table style group discussion where parents, guardians, caregivers, and families shared what they see the challenges are in terms of capacity education and awareness needs, and what is available in the form of resources, supports, and organizations.
How to Look After Yourself During Court Procedures and What Does it All Mean?
This Zoom discussion was for parents, guardians, caregivers, and families who are faced with Temporary Custody Orders (TCO), Continuing Custody Orders (CCO), and Supervision Orders (SO).
The discussion provided a brief introduction to TCOs, CCOs, and SOs. Information was provided on how to navigate the court system and what supports are available in the community—Métis service providers, family support services, legal aid, and duty counsel.
Click here to download the workshop PowerPoint as a PDF.
Stress Management
This stress management discussion looked at the whole person and the interconnectedness of each aspect of the self. It covered stress, stress management, and how to create good coping and management skills around stress. Resources, both in the community and online, were shared.
Click here to download the workshop PowerPoint as a PDF.
Anger Management
This online anger management discussion covered the effects of anger and how it can impact a person’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. It also covered both holistic and Western resources and ideas on better coping strategies for when anger inevitably arises.
Click here to download the workshop PowerPoint as a PDF.
Métis Self-Care Wheel: All four parts of self – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual
The Métis Self-care Wheel portrays the circle of life; its four dimensions represent growth and development in the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual realms. Full development in each quadrant is the key to living a balanced life.
The Métis Self-care Wheel is a strong guide to get you back on track if one of your dimensions is compromised or undernourished. This discussion covered each of the four aspects and how to replenish them. It also covered daily practices and how to create your own Métis Self-care Wheel.
The first Métis Self-Care Wheel discussion was so popular that a second one was held shortly after.
Click here to download the workshop PowerPoint as a PDF.
Staying Safe Discussions
As part of its Fall Online Series, the BC Métis Federation hosted three discussions about keeping children and youth safe from online predators.
Staying Safe: How to Keep Our Children Safe
In this third discussion, how to keep our children safe online was discussed. In this conversation, statistics on online child and youth safety were shared along with resources on what to look out for and who to contact if you suspect your child is being sexually exploited online.
Click here to download the workshop PowerPoint as a PDF.
Staying Safe: What is Child Luring?
In this second discussion, online grooming and sexual luring, as well as online sexting and sextortion were covered. This conversation helped participants recognize the red flags and warning signs of child luring, and help to keep the children and youth in their lives safe online.
Click here to download the workshop PowerPoint as a PDF.
Staying Safe: What is Youth Sexual Exploitation?
In this first discussion, they discussed what “sexual exploitation” means, and how technological advances over the past 15-20 years have led to an increase in sexual exploitation charges. This discussion also helped identify which risk factors make children and youth vulnerable to sexual exploitation, and what the impacts of sexual exploitation are.
