About
Our Approach
A community where youth feel an increased sense of belonging and connection takes all of us!
Braiding Ways of Knowing to Increase Youth Belonging
The internationally recognized process. Rooted in the land we inhabit. Guided by local data.
Peterborough Nogojiwanong is a place of outstanding natural beauty. Our implementation of the Planet Youth model aims to be uniquely nature-focused.
We are guided by Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), a concept coined by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall. This approach invites us to braid together:
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Indigenous Worldviews: Learning from the strengths, teachings, and connections to the land that have existed here since time immemorial.
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Western Methodologies: Utilizing data, surveys, and systemic frameworks to identify trends and needs.
By "walking in two worlds," we carry valuable teachings from both perspectives to better support our youth.
Why This Matters
Many of the risk factors youth face today, including substance use, are rooted in colonial systems that have disconnected people from community and land.
We also know that many protective factors (the things that keep youth safe and healthy) are found in Indigenous ways of being and knowing. These include:
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Connection to Nature: Recognizing the land as a source of healing and belonging.
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Connection to Community: Strengthening the bonds between generations.
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The Seven Grandfather Teachings: Values like Respect, Bravery, and Truth that guide healthy development.
The Planet Youth model’s emphasis on the importance of a supportive environment aligns with Indigenous worldviews.
The best and most affordable way to help children succeed is to build a strong, supportive community around them.
Adolescence is a key time for healthy development. There isn’t one single reason why youth start using substances. One of the strongest influences is the conditions in which they are born, grow, work, and live – their families, schools, communities, and opportunities.
Youth substance use is strongly shaped by social and structural conditions. It is less about individual decisions and more about the context in which youth live. We are focused on the four areas where youth spend most of their time. Our goal is to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors of substance use in each of these areas.
We owe it to young people to listen to and empower their voices in addressing their needs.
As a community, we must link our arms around the youth to ensure they have the best start possible.
We're doing this work with mentorship from Planet Youth and guided by local data with local youth.
This community-driven approach will ensure that youth are immersed in healthy, supportive social environments where it is easier to adopt healthy behaviours.
Working together, building community.
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