Cultural Services and Supports

The service aids as a resource and guide for both AWN children, youth, and families interacting with Children’s Services (CS) and CS staff interacting with these families. The AWN Cultural Navigator will work to increase mutual respect and understanding, promote cultural safety and support strength-based solutions which take into account AWN’s unique culture, history, communities and territory. Education and training will be provided through case-by-case learning support and quarterly reflective retreats (land-based where possible). The AWN Cultural Navigator may also assist in providing or securing translation services as needed to facilitate communication between CS staff and AWN families. The Cultural Navigator will act as both a cultural and language translator to improve communication and reduce mistrust between CS staff and AWN children, youth and families that may stem from cultural differences and a lack of knowledge about the Aseniwuche Winewak communities generally and families specifically. The core program components of the AWN Cultural Navigator are assisting CS workers to navigate the unique cultural context of Aseniwuche Winewak families while assisting these families to navigate what often feels like a foreign system. The key activities will be assisting with communication and context in individual cases as well as facilitating more formal reflective exercises for CS staff designed to deepen knowledge. The objective of the AWN Cultural Navigator is to build and maintain mutual respect, understanding and relationships to rebuild and increase trust between CS and AWN children, youth and families and the broader AWN community.