Operation Springboard

The Mino-Madzwin program is a portable, interactive, technology-based solution for Aboriginal youth involved in the criminal justice system, or at risk of involvement. This e-learning program can serve as an accountable and meaningful alternative to prosecuting Aboriginal youth charged with property offences. By enhancing existing programs and supports, it provides a therapeutic intervention addressing the mental health, substance abuse, cultural and social needs of Aboriginal youth. Depending on the situation and the needs of a youth, police may also consider using the program as an extrajudicial measure.

The development and delivery of this program has been divided into three phases:

Phase 1 - community development and program design

Phase 2 - program implementation and testing

Phase 3 - provincial and national distribution.

Over the course of several months, a coalition of stakeholders came together to create and implement innovative technology-based solutions for aboriginal youth involved with the criminal justice system. The coalition initially evolved from Springboard's consultation with Sault College's Native Education and Training Department in the fall of 2003. Springboard was interested in lending its program expertise and broadening its partnerships with the Aboriginal community, particularly as it related to the blending of e-learning components with “best practice” programs for at-risk youth.

The Native Education and Training Department and Springboard's Gord Saunders House agreed to host a presentation on e-learning applications at Sault College on November 20, 2003 for several First Nation representatives and Native organizations. All thirteen representatives attending the presentation endorsed the relevance and need for e-learning applications for their at-risk youth. Members of the group agreed to serve on an Aboriginal Youth Justice Coalition to ensure that the design and development of programming reflected cultural and native teachings.

Nog-Da-Win-Da-Min, a native child welfare agency, agreed to work with Springboard and S4Potential as the community lead for program consultations, and ensure inclusive representation of native communities in these discussions.

Mino-Madzwin is now being piloted in seven communities:

Batchewana First Nation

Garden River

Thessalon First Nation

Sagamok First Nation

Serpent River

Mississauga First Nation

Whitefish Lake

The Department of Justice Canada funded Phase 1 of this project (February 9 - March 31, 2004,) incorporating community development, consultations with Aboriginal, community and justice stakeholders, and the design of an e-learning extrajudicial sanction program for aboriginal youth residing in rural and remote communities.

During Phase 1 of the project, preliminary discussions occurred with the Health Directors of these communities to introduce them to the project and to reach agreement on the best way to introduce the project to their community workers, youth and Elder populations. A Youth Community Worker from each location was identified and worked closely with a Coordinator to plan information and feedback sessions with youth, community members, and elders. Community focus sessions were organized and conducted in Mississauga, Batchewana Serpent River and Sault Ste Marie.

This project has been honoured by an Aboriginal medicine woman, Hilda Syrette, who named the project Mino-Madzwin (meaning “good life”) and assigned the four colours to be associated with it - turquoise, yellow, black and red. In keeping with traditional values and customs, the name was feasted in a ceremony on April 6, 2004 with elders, community leaders and members, and youth representing all of the participating communities.

Phase 1 of the project successfully engaged support from the Aboriginal community and other stakeholders and confirmed that the e-learning program content should reflect the following:

Aboriginal cultural expectations;

Key issues underpinning aboriginal youth offending;

Best practices for program delivery; and

Delivery of a meaningful and accountable extrajudicial sanction which also addresses issues of proportionality and net widening impacts.

The following issues were identified as underpinning Aboriginal youth's involvement in criminal activity and property offences (listed in order of priority):

Substance abuse;

Anger control;

Community cultural involvement;

Poor parenting skills;

Poor attitudes toward authority;

Unresolved issues concerning previous abuse;

Bad choices of role models and peer relationships; and

Lack of attention to youth's pre-crime belief system.

Although all of the above issues could not be included in the design of the e-learning program, the Coalition is hopeful that needs areas such as anxiety, depression, parenting skills and a program aimed at pre-offending youth could be addressed in future program development.

Upon completion of the first phase, the Coalition supported movement into Phase 2 and 3 of project development and a funding proposal was submitted to the Department of Justice Canada and Industry Canada.

Springboard is serving as the administrative lead for the Aboriginal Youth Justice Coalition along with these key partners:

The Department of Justice Canada and Industry Canada agreed in September of 2004 to fund Phase 2 and 3 of the project: development of program modules that will serve as extrajudicial sanctions for Aboriginal youth in rural and remote communities who are charged with property offences.

With the integral involvement of the Aboriginal community, including youth and elders, and other diverse stakeholders four e-learning program modules have been designed to address these dynamic risk factors that are predictive of re-offending:

Mino-Madzwin is a highly interactive multimedia e-learning program incorporating current youth-friendly images, music and sounds to capture and hold attention. The program is responsive to the unique learning styles of youth and their aboriginal culture and rooted in best practices that will enrich rather than replace existing counselling and supports to prevent recidivism.

Mino-Madzwin is currently being piloted in the seven First Nations' communities, and following field-testing and evaluation the program will be made available to other communities in Ontario and across Canada.