English - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

2. In order for development to occur, it must be preceded by a vision.
“Once a person/family starts to grow, they need to create a vision/picture that
they will use to develop themselves. It is important to develop a vision of the
role that a healthy family plays and the values that a healthy person displays
in his or her relationships with family . . . ​”
3. A great learning must take place.
“Everyone needs to be a part of the change in order for the change to occur.
The whole life cycle and circle must be involved in the change: baby, youth,
adult, Elder; individual, family, community, Nation.”
4. You must create a healing forest.
A diagram of a forest is used to reinforce our interconnection to one another.
“A forest, like a community, is only as healthy as its roots and environment.
Unless individuals, families and communities are provided with a means to
overcome the impact of the unhealthy, dysfunctional root systems (anger,
guilt, shame and fear), they will find themselves participating in unhealthy
behaviours.”
MEEKA ARNAKAQ INUIT MODEL OF HEALING
The snow blocks of the iglu are used to represent what is needed to develop a healthy
lifestyle. The inside of the iglu represents the stages of development as an individual. We
need to learn to understand ourselves before we can be a good family member.
The stages are as follows:
> > Becoming aware of self
> > Knowing when to set a limit
> > Protecting self
> > Being patient with self
> > Understanding self
> > Speaking for self
> > Self-assessment
> > Self-love
> > Self-gratitude
> > Knowing one’s abilities
> > Self-confidence
> > Being a friend to self
> > Believing in self
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