There has been a tremendous amount of debate among practitioners working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples about the use of Western frameworks for understanding, diagnosing and treating mental illness and addiction. Screening and assessment is an integral part of the treatment process. This webinar will review three tools that have been culturally adapted or developed from an Indigenous perspective.
On August 7, 2014, the CAMH Health Promotion Resource Centre and Aboriginal Engagement and Outreach, Provincial System Support Program, CAMH, presented a webinar: New Tools for Screening and Assessment for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Populations.
Watch the webinar recording and access the webinar slides.
About this webinar:
- Cultural adaptation of the Child and Adolescent Strengths and Needs (CANS) Tool: FNIM Cultural Adaptation Process – The cultural adaptation of this tool to assist in identifying and assessing First Nations individual child and youth needs and strengths. This framework focuses on the interconnectedness of individuals in relationship to internal and external environments.
Brenda Jackson, Aboriginal Health Links Coordinator and Gertie Beaucage, Bear Clan of the Ojibwa – Anishnabek Nation from the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC). - Aboriginal Children’s Health and Wellbeing Measure (ACHWM) – This measure was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal children and youth and academic researchers from Laurentian University. This process was guided by the Medicine Wheel. This project successfully merged expertise from children/youth, Aboriginal health leaders, academics and community members.
Mary Jo Wabano, Director of Health Services for Nahndahweh Tchigehgamig Wikwemikong Health Centre - Honouring Our Strengths: Indigenous Culture as Intervention in Addictions Treatment – The aim of this community-based project is to evaluate the effectiveness of First Nations culture as a health intervention in alcohol and drug treatment. A valid instrument to measure the impact of cultural interventions on client wellness was drafted and is currently in the field being tested. This work has resulted in the establishment of a wellness framework addressing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing and the identification of 22 cultural interventions that are common to treatment centres across the country and that work to facilitate wellness in all four of the framework areas.
Carol Hopkins, Executive Director of the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation and Barbara Fornssler Ph.D., Research Manager for the Honouring Our Strengths: Indigenous Culture as Intervention in Addictions Treatment project.