Prevention

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DAKOTA TIWAHE SERVICES - DIRECT SERVICE COORDINATOR PREVENTION UPDATE

Hau,
Anpetu Waste’ Yu ha Mitakuyapi,
Wana Ake’ It is with great respect and honor that I report to the Oyate of Wipazoka Wakpa and all who share our vision of community well-being. Over the past year, Sioux Valley’s Dakota Tiwahe Prevention Services has truly distinguished itself through its unwavering dedication and impactful efforts. The work is a testament to the commitment within our Nation to not only address challenges but to create environments where families can flourish. We have focused on implementing culturally grounded programs that strengthen parenting skills and foster intergenerational connections to provide compassionate one-on-one support that builds resilience and healing.
Dakota Tiwahe Services is deeply committed to a proactive, preventive model of support for families. Our core mission revolves around a dedicated effort to minimize the risks and provide support to the number of families and children who may need help navigating the Child Welfare system. We achieve this by embracing a collaborative approach, actively partnering with other community resources. This strategic alliance allows us to thoroughly assess and understand the unique needs of each family we serve, enabling us to proactively assess risks and avert potential crises before they escalate.
Prevention Services is deeply committed to weaving Dakota values, teachings, and culture into the very fabric of our service delivery. This dedication acts as our guiding star, shaping every aspect of our work, from the development of innovative programming and the enhancement of educational awareness initiatives to the facilitation of profound healing connections. We recognize the importance of family within our Dakota way of life and actively strive to mend and restore sacred connections that may have been weakened or fractured over time.
Our commitment to community and family well-being is deeply embedded in our comprehensive prevention services. We believe in a collaborative and empowering approach, beginning with our voluntary engagement with families. Our dedicated Prevention Services team works together with families to ensure their fundamental needs are met, fostering a supportive environment where individual goals and personalized family care plans can be collaboratively developed. Recognizing the intricate web of social factors that influence family success, we offer a diverse range of educational programs. These initiatives are thoughtfully designed to equip families with the essential knowledge and practical tools they need to thrive. Furthermore, our Land-Based Cultural Resource Program offers a unique pathway to strengthen community bonds and cultural identity.
The prominent issue of food security continues to challenge our communities, both within Sioux Valley and extending into Brandon and Winnipeg. We consistently observe families struggling to provide basic food for their families living on fixed incomes. To address this concern, each of our offices proudly hosts a well-established Kunshi cupboard food hamper program, offering a vital lifeline to those experiencing hardship. Our workers have been trained to engage families in one-on-one budgeting sessions, working within the families’ incomes and circumstances. This approach aims not just to alleviate immediate hunger, but to equip families with the financial skills and tools necessary to navigate their budgets effectively, reducing their dependance on the program and strengthening their food security sustainably. It has been observed that with our offices we average around 30 – 40 hampers per month with these numbers vary, depending on the time of year.
DTS-Prevention offers a diverse range of programming, from practical life skills, parenting workshops, and budgeting advice to engaging in fun family activities and crucial awareness programs. Advocacy is a big part of our work, with dedicated support for families navigating processes like applying for benefits, income tax, and housing, as well as working with protection services and providing referrals to other essential resources. Families also benefit from crucial in-home support, including respite care, and reliable transportation for essential needs, shopping, family visits, and critical appointments. Cultural services and land-based teachings are deeply integrated, offering healing, wellness, one-on-one support, and programming including the annual Cultural Camps designed to foster connection and understanding. Furthermore, DTS-Prevention commits to individualized assistance for unique circumstances, covering essential costs such as hydro and rental arrears, sport, and camp fees, and facilitating access to treatment opportunities and daycare. Through youth engagement initiatives, community events, and collaborative efforts, they create significant opportunities for growth and development, even extending their support to the Sioux Valley School by providing vital nutritional snacks.

Some of our Programming offered through Dakota Tiwahe Services:

  • Traditional Wellness Therapy
  • Family arts and crafts
  • Youth Nights
  • Women Sharing/healing circles
  • Budgeting Workshops
  • Life Skills- Youth/Adult
  • Men/women’s group
  • Mother/Father’s Day events
  • Movie Nights – Theater & Outdoor
  • Camp Wicoti – Culture camp
  • To make a Healthy Family program
  • Youth Conference
  • Parenting Programming – Traditional approach
  • Anxiety Disorder workshops
  • Beach days
  • Family fun days
  • Trauma Resilience workshop
  • Zoo trip – Winnipeg family trip
  • 2 Spirited workshops
  • Raising a Child – workshops
  • Baby & Me
  • Winyan Zanipi
  • Men’s Group
  • Cooking
  • Meal Preparations
  • Resume building
  • Interview Skills
  • Land Based/Cultural activities.
  • Medicine Picking
  • Language Classes
  • Feasts – Change of Seasons
  • Self Esteem/Spiritual health Workshop
  • Haunted basement/ Zombie Walk
  • Halloween activities
  • Sewing classes
  • Powwow Club/Moccasin game night
  • Dakota Roles and Responsibilities
  • Arts, regalia, beading, quilling
  • Free Food Donations
  • School Snack Program

Our primary goal remains proactive as we move forward in a good way. We are committed to continuing our support and services for the community of Wipazoka Wakpa, ensuring that families are equipped with the tools and skills they need to live healthier, more empowered lives. We will collaborate with other community resources to help shape a brighter future. We are proud to live in such a beautiful and vibrant community, full of positivity and strength. As we move forward, we will honor the past while working toward becoming a stronger and better nation—for ourselves and for the future generations to come.

Ohan Hechitu do.

Pidamiya do,

Freddie Eastman

Direct Service Coordinator/ Prevention Services

DAKOTA TIWAHE SERVICES - BRANDON PREVENTION SERVICES UPDATE

On behalf of the Brandon Prevention Team, I am pleased to present the following Annual General Report that provides an overview of the Brandon Prevention activities from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

The Brandon Prevention team is committed and continues to work hard to provide prevention services to our families and children. Their dedication and hard work have made long-lasting positive impacts on the families they’ve worked with. By listening to the voices of these families to guide our direction and incorporating the rich traditions of the Dakota culture into our approaches, we ensure our services resonate deeply with those we serve. We all share a common goal: preventing children from entering care and investing in families so they can create safe and healthy environments for their children. This collaborative and culturally sensitive approach ensures that our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each family, fostering stronger, more resilient community grounded in Dakota values.

To my exceptional staff, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication and resilience, especially during these challenging times. I know that it hasn’t been easy, but each of you has consistently gone above and beyond to ensure that our services continue to run smoothly. Your commitment, hard work, and positive attitudes are truly inspiring. Thank you for always pushing through, for supporting one another, and for making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. I am incredibly proud to work alongside such a remarkable team.

To our cherished Knowledge Keepers, your wisdom has been a guiding light on our journey, and I am profoundly grateful for your continued guidance. Your insights and knowledge have not only shaped our path but have also enriched our understanding and approach to the work we do. Thank you for generously sharing your time, expertise, and cultural wisdom. We are honored to walk alongside you and to learn from your experiences as we strive to create a better future together.

And finally, to the families and children who have opened their lives to us, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to be a part of your journeys. Your trust and resilience inspire us every day, and we are deeply committed to providing you with the support and care you deserve. It is a privilege to witness your growth, strength, and perseverance. Thank you for sharing your stories, your challenges, and your triumphs with us. We are honored to walk alongside you and to make a positive impact in your lives.

Service Delivery

The disproportionate representation of First Nations children in care is a critical issue, primarily driven by factors such as inadequate housing, poverty, substance misuse, insufficient mental health services, and the prevalence of child abuse and neglect. These challenges significantly impact First Nations families and communities in Manitoba, posing substantial barriers to family unity and child safety. Consequently, there remains a demonstrable and urgent need for enhanced prevention services within the community. Dakota Tiwahe Services is dedicated to giving these families the best opportunities by removing obstacles and empowering them to reach their full potential. We offer the following supports/services:

  • Direct Service Delivery: Providing services directly to individuals and families, such as counseling, education, or support groups.
  • Community Outreach: Engaging with the community to raise awareness, provide information, and connect people with services.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: Working with other organizations and agencies to coordinate services and address systemic issues.
  • Capacity Building: Strengthening the ability of individuals, families, and communities to address their own needs and promote well-being.
  • Advocacy: Working to change policies and systems that create barriers to well-being and promote equity.
  • Cultural Programs: Using cultural activities and traditions to promote healing, connection, and resilience.
  • Home Visiting: Providing in-home support and education to families, particularly those with young children.
  • Training and Education: Offering training and education to professionals, community members, and families on topics related to prevention and well-being
  • Promotion of reunification and repatriation, prevention of child or youth separation from their family whenever possible and ensuring the availability of supports that enable families to thrive.

Total Caseload

Active Prevention Files – 61 families still actively receiving prevention services

Brief/closed files – 41 families have been assisted through prevention program 

Prevention Services – 102 families assisted throughout the fiscal year

Brandon Prevention Staff

1 Prevention Supervisor

3 Prevention Workers

1 Program Developer

1 Land based/Cultural Support Worker

2 Support Workers

2 Case Aide/Driver

Patty Scott-Castel

Prevention Supervisor

Dakota Tiwahe Service Inc. Brandon office