“That’s What the Program Is All about… Building Relationships”

Exploring Experiences in an Urban Offering of the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program in Canada

Bibliographic Data

ID17801099
AuthorsLeah J Ferguson (0000-0002-1489-6472, University of Saskatchewan, corresponding author), Tammy M Girolami, Tammy Girolami (Community Advisor, Saskatoon, SK, Canada), Reed Thorstad (University of Saskatchewan), Carol D Rodgers (Ontario Tech University), M Louise Humbert (0000-0002-3522-435X, University of Saskatchewan)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue2
Pages733-733
Publication date2021-01-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18020733
PMID33467020
OpenAlexW3119306882
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited24

Peer mentorship is an effective approach for delivering health promotion programs that may be particularly useful among underrepresented populations. Advancing the peer-led approach, the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program (IYMP) is a communal-led program rooted in Indigenous values aimed at the promotion of healthy lifestyles in children and youth. The program includes layers of multi-age mentoring (i.e., elementary students, high school student mentors, and young adult health leaders [YAHLs]) and incorporates three core components: physical activity, healthy eating, and cultural teachings. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore elementary student, mentor, and YAHL experiences in an urban IYMP offering. Eleven sharing circles were conducted; six with elementary students ( n = 23; grade 4 and 5 students), two with mentors ( n = 3; students enrolled in a grade 10 wellness girls class), and three with YAHLs ( n = 6; undergraduate university students). Focus groups were also held with respective school teachers and principals. An inductive content analysis generated three themes that represent the perceived impacts of this urban IYMP offering: (1) Fostering Wellness, (2) Strengthening Meaningful Connections, and (3) Exploring Leadership. Findings are positioned within a communal mentorship framework that is circular and multi-directional. By bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, this program offering supports Indigenous cultural relevance in an urban-based wellness program

Focus group · Health promotion · Indigenous · Medical education · Mentorship · Pedagogy · Peer mentoring · Political science · Public health · Sociology · Community Health and Development · Medicine · Nursing · Outdoor and Experiential Education · Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support · Ecology