Pubdate: Wed, 31 Mar 2010
Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Agassiz Observer
Contact:  http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344
Author: Jessica Murdy

PILOT PROJECT STARTS IN CHEHALIS

Sixteen students at Chehalis community school will soon have some new 
tools to fight drug addiction, alcoholism and gangs.

The remote school, tucked away on the Chehalis Reserve west of 
Agassiz, has been chosen for a national pilot project called Aboriginal Shield.

It's modeled in the same manner as DARE, in which local police 
officers work directly with students in the classroom. Subject matter 
for DARE includes facing peer pressure and the dangers of smoking, 
drugs and alcohol.

Aboriginal Shield includes those lessons, as well as issues like gang 
violence and family addictions. It also draws heavily on First 
Nations culture, encouraging communicating with mentors and elders.

And where DARE targets Grade 5 students, the Aboriginal Shield 
program is designed for Grades 5 through 8.

Aboriginal Shield is not meant to replace DARE, says Constable Gail 
Starr. However, since the students in Grades 5, 6 and 7 will be 
participating in the pilot program this year, they will not be going 
through DARE.

They'll start the program next week, with Starr and two other 
teachers coming directly into the classroom to work with students.

Lessons wrap up on May 11, and a traditional feast and graduation 
ceremony will be held at the school at the end of May. Starr is 
hoping that by the end of the program, families and the community in 
general will have embraced the messages the children will be hearing.

"They learn that the choices you make affect you for the rest of your 
life," Starr says. "This is something we hope the parents will 
support and even lead by example."

The program uses a workbook, role playing and liaisons with community 
leaders to teach students about choice making.

One school in each province or territory was chosen for the pilot 
program. Those teaching, including Starr, went to Ottawa recently for 
a week of training.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart