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September 15 – October 15, 2003

Dear: Participant

Thank you; for agreeing to complete the Aboriginal 4-H Youth Survey. The purpose of the survey is to help determine if there is a need and a willingness to implement 4-H programming for Aboriginal youth. The Canadian 4-H Council is leading the survey across the Canada. In Ontario, both the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario and 4-H Ontario are working together to ensure the survey is completed.

The 4-H Program exists in 80 countries and has over 7 million young members. In Ontario, the program has 7,000 members and 1,600 volunteers. 4-H emphasizes learning new skills and developing self-confidence while making new friends and having fun. It brings together youth from the age of 10 to 21. Over the past 30 years, 4-H has existed in some First Nations across the province. This survey will show if there is continued or new interest in 4-H and if so how to support those who wish to participate in the program.

Due to the vast size of Northern Ontario I will not be able to obtain a wide perspective by holding short interviews in person with survey participants. I would appreciate it if you would complete the survey and email it back to me before the 15th of October. If you have questions pertaining to the survey or the 4-H Program please contact Donna at 807-475-6993 or 807-628-2004 or email at

Donna Williamson, Project Consultant/ Youth Representative
First Nations Agri-Food Youth Program (FNAFYP)

Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions. Thank you for your time.

1) What are the needs of youth (ages 10-21) in your community? Please check the boxes if you think these needs apply to your community.

• Social (getting together with others in appositive environment)
• Educational (learning skills that may not be a part of the school system)
• Positive role models
• Cultural (learning more about native culture and language)
• Community (helping others in the community)
• Employment (learning skills that will lead to jobs)
• Other (please list)

2) What types of activities currently fill these needs in your community? Please list. Examples could include sports teams, youth groups, craft classes and cadets.

3) What other types of activities would you like to see organized in your community for youth?

4) The 4-H Program is a community-based educational organization for youth. 4-H Members learn to work together in groups. They also gain leadership skills in while learning about topics that interest them.

Have you already heard about the 4-H program? Yes No

If yes, what did you think 4-H is about?

• A youth group with positive role models
• A group where young people take their calves and horses to local fairs
• Where Volunteer Leaders teach children life skills
• Other. Please list

Note to Surveyor: If No, please explain what the 4-H program is about and hand out appropriate materials.

5) Have you ever been a 4-H Volunteer Leader or 4-H member? Yes No

If yes, when? (Approximate year(s)?

6) Did you benefit from your experience as a 4-H leader or 4-H member?

Yes If yes, how did you benefit?

No If no, what was your experience?

7) Do you think that youth in your community would be interested in being a 4-H member?

Yes No

Please explain why (or why not)

8) Would adults in your community be interested in becoming a 4-H Volunteer Leader?

Yes No

Please explain why (or why not)

Note to Surveyor: Before question 9), you may need to explain what steps are required to become a 4-H Leader/4-H Member.

9) What would you think would be barriers to 4-H starting in your community?

For Volunteer Leaders:

• Lack of adult volunteers that are willing to become 4-H Leaders
• Lack of interest/support from parents (e.g. transporting children to and from meetings
• Too difficult to become a 4-H leader (e.g. completing the application and the police record check form)
• Too much of a time commitment for the 4-H Leader (approx. 6 meetings and planning time for each project)
• People don’t know anything about 4-H in my community
• People think 4-H is for young people who live on farms
• Other. Please list.

For Members;

• Too much commitment for the 4-H Member (e.g. attending approx. 6 meetings, holding an executive position etc…)
• Too many competing after-school activitie

10) If you think that 4-H is a good idea for youth in your community, do you think that it would be better for a new club to be started within your First Nations community or for young people from your First Nations community to join with an existing 4-H club located nearby if one exists?

• Own community
• Join an existing club nearby

11) Would your community have any specific needs in starting a 4-H club?

• We would need help finding 4-H Volunteer Leaders
• We would like educational materials that reflect our culture
• We would need help in getting started
• We would need help in paying membership fees
• We would need help training new Volunteer Leaders to operate a local 4-H Club
• Other

12) Are there any organizations or agencies that could help support 4-H members in your community? (The support could be financial e.g paying for membership fees or club supplies or it could be donating a space for meetings or offering staff members to become 4-H Club Leaders etc…)

13) Would you like to see elementary schools in your First Nations Community start a 4-H Club either during school hours or after school hours?

14) In general, can you see a 4-H partnership in your community working?

Yes No

Please add any comments or experiences you have about the 4-H Program.