“There is no such thing as primitive in the way Western education has traditionally conditioned people to perceive it.”
Gregory Cajete, Look To The Mountain: An Ecology Of Indigenous Education
Leading “Our Way”
An Indigenous Facilitation Training Paradigm
Facilitating processes in our communities requires sensitivity, adaptability, confidence and the capacity to respond to a spectrum of dynamics unique to Indigenous peoples who have experienced trans-generational trauma.
A strong sense of one’s own self and an understanding of the complex issues facing our people is essential for leading processes in which people feel safe enough to experience healing and transformation. The impacts of colonization and residential school have resulted in a host of social challenges some refer to as Lateral Violence and encompass harmful behaviours ranging from mild to severe. Medical, learning and behaviour theory approaches alone are not enough to get to the root of the problems. Only processes rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being that incorporate the rituals and rites of passage specific to a given community will be effective for that community of people. Therefore, a universal model of facilitation that incorporates the best of indigenous and western knowledges is needed.
Leading “Our Way” is designed to prepare facilitators to effectively lead processes in their own and other communities and has been is designed for those who want to facilitate processes and discussions that will lead to learning, healing and transformation.
Facilitation Intensives
The facilitation Intensives are delivered as a series of 5 one day intensive trainings that can be completed over a week or over the course of 5 weeks. Participants will be provided with lots of opportunities to practice and apply their learning while reflecting on how to customize this training for their own community:
- Introduction to Leading “Our Way” Facilitation Schematic
- Incorporating Ritual and Rites of Passage as Essential Aspects of Facilitation
- The Art and Science of Facilitating Circles
- Integrating Indigenous and Western Ways of Knowing and Being
- Developing Eldership and Sitting in The Fire – de-escalating conflict and working with feedback
- Reconciliation – inviting and exploring all perspectives – holding a meta perspective and becoming an agent of relationship
- Presenting on and facilitating discussions about lateral violence
- Presenting on and facilitating discussions about Residential School
- Presenting on and facilitating discussions about aggression and bullying
- Presenting on and facilitating discussions about the impacts of colonization
- Facilitating Groups Who Have Experienced Trauma While Fostering Resilience (Healing, Caring & Considerate)
Team Building
Teams today are comprised of diverse groups of people of all ages. More often than not, people are experiencing high levels of conflict due to contrasting values systems.
Research shows that high levels of positivity among team members directly effect not only productivity but our health too. It is possible to work together effectively regardless of how different we are. So, how do we create greater levels of understanding and build the capacity to improve and maintain the health of the team?
Teams have an emotional life that needs regular tending to in order to be sustainable. Denise specializes in working with the unique dynamics existent in teams comprised of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people, and is able to create effective working relationships characterized by understanding, open communication and trust. Her approach creates cultural safety and understanding amongst those with contrasting worldviews.
Denise specializes in team building and team interventions. Whether you are looking for culturally sensitive approaches to increase positivity, creativity and problem solving, or are in need of an intervention for a team that is in crisis—she offers effective solutions.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a natural and perpetual part of being in relationship. Conflict has the potential to lead us to creative solutions that we would not otherwise be able to access. Conflict is a signal that something is not working and needs to change. It’s simply a matter of having conflict more skilfully.
Denise focuses on building your capacity to handle conflict more effectively while minimizing the negative effects on the team or relationship. She uses a gentle approach to create alignment among people who are experiencing conflict, whether the conflict exists within a partnership or a team.
Leading “Our Way” – Facilitation Intensive
An Indigenous Facilitation Training Paradigm
Facilitating processes in our communities requires sensitivity, adaptability, confidence and the capacity to respond to a spectrum of dynamics unique to Indigenous peoples who have experienced trans-generational trauma. A strong sense of one’s own self and an understanding of the complex issues facing our people is essential for leading processes in which people feel safe enough to experience healing and transformation.
The impacts of colonization and residential school have resulted in a host of social challenges some refer to as ‘Lateral Violence,’ and encompass harmful behaviours ranging from mild to severe. Medical, learning and behaviour theory approaches alone are not enough to get to the root of the problems. Only processes rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being that incorporate the rituals and rites of passage specific to a given community will be effective for that community of people. Therefore, a universal model of facilitation that incorporates the best of indigenous and western knowledges is needed.
Leading “Our Way” is designed to prepare facilitators to effectively lead processes in their own and other communities and has been is designed for those who want to facilitate processes and discussions that will lead to learning, healing and transformation.
