Media.Knet.Ca

Jesse Terry (http://jesseterry.myknet.org), a Lac Seul First Nations member, is preparing to lead a group of Aboriginal youth to Bolovia on a ten week Leadership and Cultural Exchange that includes a month long preparation period in Alberta. Jesse was recently selected for this position by Ghost River Rediscovery - www.ghostriverrediscovery.com.

Click here for some interesting information about Bolivia

Click here to see a map of Bolivia

Organized by  Ghost River Rediscovery, this Leadership program provides participating youth with a variety of learning experiences. The EMPOWERING INDIGENOUS YOUTH LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE initiative program description follows ...
 
Ghost River Rediscovery offers an Indigenous based youth leadership program. The program is run in the Ghost River Wilderness Area, Canada and in one of their three host countries. Participants live and work with youth from another country both sharing backgrounds in Aboriginal culture.

Selection
We are looking for a team of young adults, aged 18-28 years, who are keen to make positive contributions to their communities and others. Participants are selected for their maturity, commitment, adaptability, willingness to learn, communication, group skills, initiative and knowledge of Indigenous issues. Selected youth have a good knowledge of the area where they are from so they can teach others about issues and cultures in Canada. Successful candidates must demonstrate their commitment to remaining drug and alcohol free.

The Program
Participants have opportunities to increase their confidence and abilities through program activities based on Indigenous traditions and philosophies and experiential education. The Canadian portion of the training as well as the international portion assists participants to make change for themselves, their families and their communities. The program aims to develop inspirational role models who are able to positively influence other youth and children.

The program is delivered from the perspective of the medicine wheel. Activities are chosen based on their capacity to challenge participants physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Three main program components will be followed throughout: development; cultural revival and rediscovery, and community leadership. Activities focus on team building, leadership styles and practice, group dynamics, conflict resolution, cross cultural understanding, organizational and wilderness skills. There is also intensive study on Indigenous issues in Canada, the host country and international affairs with the involvement of Elders throughout.

In Canada, the youth team have the chance to develop skills that enable them to work safely with young people in wilderness environments while offering compassion and support to youth who are searching to understand themselves and their cultural backgrounds, and where they fit it in the world. In the host country, the youth team assist other Indigenous youth in the running of a youth empowerment program aimed to increase the self-esteem of Indigenous children and youth. They deliver Rediscovery activities and help with local community projects. The Coordinators of this project have chosen activities that assist young Indigenous to learn and be proud of their identity and culture and enable them to grow into strong, confident people. Elders, representing the local communities, are involved, sharing culture, skills and knowledge of land resources.

Personal Development
Activities range with each program but may include:

• Wilderness first aid training
• Canoeing
• Hiking and backpacking
• Activities based on the medicine wheel framework
• Self awareness and personal development

Cultural Revival and Rediscovery

• Participation in traditional cultural activities
• Traditional craft and tool making – drums; warashis; hammocks
• Involvement of Elders
• Oral traditions – story, song, drama
• Personal roots history
• Spending time in natural areas
• Travel and living in the jungle; savannah; mountains
• How to fish; how to hunt; how to fetch berries and food from forest
• Food preparation

Community Leadership

• Public speaking and presentations
• Business skills
• Computers/ technology
• Media and communications; publicity
• Working with youth at a local secondary school - after school program
• Facilitation of Rediscovery activities
• Youth program development
• Logistics coordination
• Risk management
• International Indigenous issues

The job description for Jesse's new position follows ...

TEAM LEADER - BOLIVIA - February to April 2007
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM- GHOST RIVER REDISCOVERY

Job Description: Ghost River Rediscovery is looking for two outstanding facilitators to provide role model leadership for a group of 8-10 young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people for a wilderness-based Canadian program and a cultural learning and community service experience in Bolivia , South America . The program aims to develop strong, culturally-grounded young Aboriginal leaders. This is an approximate 3 month contract position (February to April 2007). Successful candidates will be required to provide assistance on a voluntary basis with recruitment, selection, program design and planning in the months prior to program start date. Candidates require a working knowledge of Spanish, and fluency will be a great asset. These are demanding positions that offer amazing opportunities for personal and professional development.

Primary Responsibilities

• Facilitate participants’ group and individual learning processes
• Guide outdoor expeditions and activities
• Lead group during international exchange portion
• Ensure that all aspects of the program are carried out safely
• Must provide outstanding leadership in all aspects of the program

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience running extended programs with Aboriginal youth. An understanding of group dynamics and experience in providing role model leadership in a community setting. Experience with conflict resolution, counseling, and experiential and traditional/cultural methods of education are important assets.
• A strong outdoor resume and extensive professional experience as a lead guide. Canoe instruction rating and ACGM hiking/backpacking along with other industry certifications will be assets. Current Advanced Wilderness First Aid certification (80min) is required (please send in a copy of certifications with application).
• A strong background in and commitment to risk management must be demonstrated.
• Experience living and working in developing countries.
• The Team Leader should have extensive experience with international travel and preferably will have direct experience guiding groups in international settings.
• Understanding of unique risk management requirements and proper response processes in international settings.
• Class IV license and a recent drivers abstract (please send a copy in with application)
• Demonstrated understanding of core program themes, including Canadian Aboriginal culture and history, international indigenous issues, community development, leadership development, etc. Knowledge of and experience working in Canadian Aboriginal communities, particularly with youth.
• Significant experience working with international community development projects. Demonstrated understanding of the complexities of international community development, particularly in terms of issues facing international indigenous communities and sensitivities required in approaching work with those communities.
• Ability to meet rigorous logistical requirements, including regular reporting to Program Coordinator, maintenance of files, and conduction of evaluations with participants.
• Strong financial management skills. Demonstrated experience with budgeting and financial reporting.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in cross- cultural environments. Must be able to provide culturally appropriate leadership, and work effectively with the Elders and cultural resource people involved in the program. The ideal candidate will have experience facilitating learning in a cross cultural setting, particularly among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of different backgrounds.
• Priority will be given to qualified Aboriginal applicants, as knowledge of Aboriginal culture history, and traditions and ability to assist participants in strengthening Aboriginal identity are crucial aspects of the program.

Detail of Responsibilities

• Guides all outdoor expedition and international exchange experiences. Must be able to act as an example and source of encouragement during difficult physical activities and conditions.
• Facilitates the experience of participants by providing positive direction, necessary skills training, effective planning, communication, and management.
• Acts at all times as a support, guide, and resource to the participants.
• Works alongside GRR staff to develop program and to design delivery. Assists with managing and overseeing the program on a 24 hour basis.
• Ensures effective, consistent communication with staff, participants and outside facilitators. Writes reports and evaluations for all activities as required. Participates in evaluations of self, staff, and participants.
• Effectively manages all aspects of emergency medical responses including evacuation procedures .
• Responsible for clear, concise communication concerning the management and safety of the course.
• Responsible for financial management of program from the field. Ensures that all expenditures are approved by the Program Coordinator and receipts and records are submitted.
• Acts as GRR representative with outside facilitators and within local communities in a professional manner.
• Manages the security, use and maintenance of GRR gear and equipment.
• Agrees to set a high standard of behavior, providing a role model for ethics by upholding all GRR policies and procedures. This is crucial to the position, and any staff member in violation will be asked to leave. Includes:
  Must display a high standard of honesty in all relations.
  Abstention from use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs throughout the program duration.
• Agrees to not partake in any intimate/romantic relations with any participants, staff or community members during the program.
• Will abide by GRR policies regarding dress code.
• Carries out any other reasonableduties which may be assigned from time totime by the Program Coordinator or the Executive Director of GRR.

For more information contact Lorelei White, Program Coordinator, at ylp@ghostriverrediscovery.com or fax to (403) 270-9371

A description of the Leadership Exchange program in Bolivia follows ...

Ghost River Rediscovery is facilitating 10 outstanding youth to participate in an international youth leadership program in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The International Youth Leadership Program offers youth the opportunity to obtain international experience related to youth leadership development. This program, based on aboriginal culture and traditions, exposes its participants to a variety of unique experiences.

The first month consists of outdoor based skill building in the Ghost River Wilderness Area of Alberta, Canada. The youth then depart for an exciting ten week international exchange, in which they will work with indigenous youth in rural area of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The participants will be working directly with our Bolivian partner, at Nur University, and will build upon the three years of work that Ghost River Rediscovery has achieved in Bolivia.

Requirements for youth participants:
• Open mind and heart
• Desire to travel
• Ability to live and work in a group setting
• 18-28 years of age

Term:
• International Volunteer, from February to April, 2007

The Participants Contribution:
• Each participant is required to fundraise $3300 plus airfare and travel insurance. (Fee includes transportation, food, accommodations, cultural workshops and outdoor leadership training costs.