CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES COMMUNITY STORY - Cottfn

h. Our youth will be able to successfully complete their grade 12 education and beyond,
either on Reserve or off. They will be comfortable and well-adapted in the wider
society, and will be able to share their Ojibwe heritage with anyone who cares to
know about it.
i. The examples of healthy role models and their own deeply engrained sense of values
and purpose will keep our youth free from alcohol and drugs, violence, abuse and
other unhealthy choices. As well, our youth will be in excellent physical health. They
will eat healthy food, exercise, get enough sleep and be adept at effectively managing
day-to-day stress.
j. Our young people will be among the best and the brightest lights of their generation.
No matter where they go in the world, they will achieve excellence in all they pursue,
be it arts, crafts, trades, professions, politics or community service. For this to occur
they will need to have ready access to the best in education and mentoring
opportunities, and will need unconditional support from family and community, all of
which they will receive in abundance.
4. What has to happen and what do we have to do in order to get from
where we are now to where we want to go?
For this positive future to come about, important steps need to be taken in the
months and years ahead.
a. A comprehensive youth development initiative that integrates all programs and
services targeting youth will need to create a web of opportunities that link together
education, healing and wellness, justice, recreation, transportation, employment
development, cultural foundations and family support into one seamless and
integrated initiative that engages every child and youth 12 years and older in a life
path planning and development journey.
b. The roots of the current ―youth problem‖ are adult and family problems. Personal and
family healing has to become a very high priority. As mentioned in the previous
section on children, the reduction of alcohol and drug use within households where
children and youth reside needs to become a primary community development
objective. This will require a vigorous and sustained family healing and development
program.
Chippewas of the Thames Community Story
October 2011
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