An Update from the Summer

Reaching out to First Nations People

Christian Horizons is dedicated to providing quality service for persons with exceptional needs.  Christian Horizons became involved with Mishkeegogamang in 2006, providing inclusive summer programs for children, and a variety of supplies for community members to enjoy.  Christian Horizons is also part of Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win: The North-South Partnership for Children.  This summer it was privileged to expand our past programs to include NationWares, a new division of Christian Horizons that engages youth while providing employment opportunities and individual and community development through micro enterprise.  It is NationWares’ pleasure to work with young artists, and people from the Mishkeegogamang community who have business skills and ideas.  Future opportunities are quickly expanding.

The Program

Mother Teresa once said, “let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love”.  This 2010 summer, countless smiles were shared between the children and youth of Mishkeegogamang and the team of staff and volunteers from Christian Horizons.  The team was honoured to be invited to return and spend a second summer with the Mishkeegogamang community after running introductory programs for children in 2009.  This August, the Christian Horizons team expanded their involvement with the children to include teens and young adults.  The group spent a total of 3 weeks interacting with people of all ages from the Ten Houses and Main communities.  The friendships, connections, and bonds that were formed during this time are lasting.

The team from Christian Horizons was thrilled to spend their mornings with the children, afternoons with adult community members, and evenings with teens and young adults.  At different points in the programs, everyone from age 5 to 30 was given an opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities and programming that included crafts, games, sports, fine art, singing, songwriting, poetry, creative writing, and good times hanging out with new friends.  The team was blessed by the positive response from this community.  Children and youth were not only able to interact and engage in these activities, but leadership skills were also
developed during this time.

The Progress

116 children and youth were supported through the summer program.  7 adults were able to experience employment opportunities provided through NationWares’ income generating programs.  Several youth expressed their high hopes for the future and committed to setting a good example for the younger children who look up to them.  They understood the power of one, and the impact one good influence can have on others.  A young boy (age 12) had recently lost 2 of his sisters this past year.  One of his sisters froze to death at 16 months of age during the wintertime, and the other was stabbed in a violent conflict earlier this summer.  He had every reason to be angry and upset; instead, he chose to use his life in a powerful way.  He participated in both the child and youth program operated by Christian Horizons and served as a wonderful example for the rest of the children.  He expressed his desire to work in the community as a police officer in the future to make sure everyone can be safe from harm.  He is a leader, and part of the future of this community.

The Future

This introductory program was a collaborative effort between Christian Horizons, NationWares business and economic division of CH Global, and the community of Mishkeegogamang. The supports and services provided at this time resulted in ground-breaking opportunities that will assist in the future delivery of our goal to partner with First Nations people with exceptional needs to build a sustainable community through social and economic development.