Sxwamales is translated to “Gifts from our ancestors or family box of treasures, often used to refer to children.”

Our Sxwamales Worker supports in the development, implementation and delivery of cultural programming for urban Indigenous children and youth in care. These programs include monthly cultural programs, community events, and travel.

From time to time, the Sxwamales Worker is also called upon as a cultural resource, offering insight into nurturing the cultural identities of urban Indigenous children and youth in care through the agency’s collaborative planning meetings.

Engaging as a mentor, the Sxwamales Worker nurtures and provides direct support to the agency’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) consisting of youth and young adults in or from Surrounded by Cedar’s care. The YAC was formed to ensure youth voices are represented in decision making processes at the agency, as well as within the larger community.

Each year, a representative from the YAC is appointed to sit as an observer at the agency’s Board of Director’s table to ensure transparency and accountability. YAC members are also involved in a variety of research projects, events, and conferences where they are developing and strengthening their advocacy skills.