CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
Connection to spirit and identity through familial, hereditary and cultural linkages are the strongest protective factors in promoting safety and well-being amongst Indigenous people, including Indigenous children and youth in care.
Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services provides cultural programming throughout the year that aims to nurture cultural identity development while providing a culturally safe space for ongoing learning to take place.
Programming opportunities include:
XE’XU T’ULUTS’THUT YOUTH LEADERSHIP (SACRED CIRCLE)
The Sacred Circle Leadership Program began in 2008, and was initiated and developed by SCCFS. This program is a youth development initiative offered through the Cultural Programs department. The main tenet of Leadership has always been a focus on life-long learning to deepen one’s self-identity, sense of stewardship and responsibility for one’s own growth.
The ability to support our youth has been the driving force behind our desire to understand and reclaim our identity as Indigenous peoples. XE’XUT’ULUTS’THUT fills an important gap in our young people’s lives whether they are First Nations, Metis or non-Indigenous; a key responsibility for us is to support the holistic development of an educated citizen.
Sacred Circle and the Evolution of Leadership*
SACRED CIRCLE AND THE EVOLUTION OF LEADERSHIP
In August 2012, we received our new name “XE’XU T’ULUTS’THUT Youth Leadership”. We are eternally grateful to Mena Pagaduan, a Hul’qumi’num instructor in Quw’utsun territory who met with Elders to discuss the meaning and translation of “Sacred Circle” into the Hul’qumi’num Language. XE’XU T’ULUTS’THUT Youth Leadership builds and supports healthy culturally relevant youth programming focused on indigenous ways of being and healthy youth development practice.
Xe’Xu T’uluts’thut is a comprehensive, culturally based youth leadership development program that has evolved in response to youth voice, ongoing community conversations, student internships and participatory action research in social work and child and youth care. Xe’Xu T’uluts’thut provides the necessary preventative stepping stones that will give youth a foundation to build lifelong skills that will enrich their own lives and support the changing tide of Indigenous achievement.
If you are a child or youth and would like to talk to someone call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234.