Programs & Funders

Swan Paks Nutrition Program
Currently Unfunded

"Swan Paks" offers an alternative way of service delivery that assists primarily but not exclusively Aboriginal Women (and their children) by promoting a sense of self pride and self reliance - "women helping women and / or helping each other"
Programming includes:
  • A safe environment
  • Counselling & supports
  • Cooking / nutrition skills
  • Networking
  • Referrals to community resources

To become part of the Swan Paks Program, women are willing to learn cooking and nutrition skills, HIV+ or at risk, newly housed or at risk of homelessness.  The woman can refer herself, or be referred by a community agency or organization that is familiar with hersituation.  Lessons can be booked for a few sessions, or just specific ones.

Housing

The Housing program name, “WICOHKAMAWEW”, is a Cree word, which loosely translated, means, “they are helping one another”.

“WICOHKAMAWEW” offers an alternative way of service delivery that assists Aboriginal Women (and their children) by promoting a sense of community and self- identity-“women helping women and/or helping each other.”

Programming includes:
• A safe residential environment
• Counselling
• Supports
• Networking
• Referrals to community resources

Fireside Chats
Funded by MAC AIDS

Fireside Chats is a project designed to engage and educate Aboriginal Leadership and Elders, primarily within the Metis Communities,  to increase awareness within community leadership that will assist in reducing the stigma and discrimination towards HIV+ Aboriginal people, especially those living in  remote and isolated Aboriginal communities

Social Connections
Funded by ViiV

Social Connections is a project which utilizes face to face opportunities and technology to increase awareness, education and prevention of HIV knowledge within Aboriginal youth populations throughout Alberta.  This project is designed to increase the ability of youth to access confidential support and resources that are culturally safe and relevant for HIV/AIDS prevention. Social Connections utilizes modern technology in a manner in which youth can and do relate to information in the modern world.

Building Bridges
Funded by PHAC

Increase capacity of Shining Mountains Living Community Services Aboriginal HIV/AIDS organization to  provide capacity building leadership to ASO’s and other organizations within Alberta with Aboriginal Clientele who are or are at risk for HIV infection.

Improve Awareness of Métis and Aboriginal First Nations Culture, History, and Practices as these relate to HIV/AIDS with relevant organizations in Alberta who serve Aboriginal People 

HIV/AIDS
Funded by ACHF

Enhances current HIV/AIDS programming for Aboriginal People through partnerships, collaborations, knowledge sharing and capacity building with funded HIV/AIDS organizations throughout Alberta and

Offers Aboriginal communities (off reserve) will have an increased capacity to address HIV/AIDS as it relates to Aboriginal people in their communities, in a manner that is Culturally appropriate, relevant, and up to date.

Cultural Capacity Building

AVOHN (Aboriginal Voices on Housing Network)
  • Organizational Cultural awareness workshops
  • HIV Awareness workshops
  • Community development
  • Organizational Developemnt

Peace Keepers

This project will begin to address and improve Aboriginal housing in Red Deer as well as improve knowledge of Human Rights relevant to housing. Peace Keepers is designed to provide cultural competency and safety training for service providers to assist in delivering services in a culturally safe and appropriate manner that is informed by human rights; training for Indigenous people on their rights and responsibilities related to tenancy and human rights along with outreach and education of landlords to support awareness and adoption of non-discriminatory practices in housing.

Two Spirit Renewal Project
Funded By The We're Funny That Way Foundation

 
The Two Spirit Renewal was born in response to concerns and needs expressed by LGBTQS2 people, regarding isolation, depression, along with stigma and discrimination.  In 2016, several SMLCS participants created a volunteer run support group to provide a safe social atmosphere and this is where the Two Spirit Renewal project was conceived. The group soon realized that they needed SMLCS to seek out financial supports to become more formal and move forward in a good way.

Shining Mountains Living Community Services developed The  project to assist the target population of primarily Indigenous LGBTQS2 Youth in learning and utilizing Wise Practices of prevention of mental health concerns, in order to reduce both the threat of suicide, isolation, sexual violence or spread of blood-borne infections among the Indigenous LGBTQS2 youth populations. Two Spirit Renewal project will function out of SMLCS lower office space to provide privacy, safety and welcoming space to our LGBTQS2.

SMLCS gives thanks to the LGBTQS2 youths and adults, who guided the plan for the Two Spirit Renewal. Terry and Ken C. shared suggestions grounded in painful experiences of stigma, discrimination and unfairness, Don, Taylor and Allie provided a strong commitment to sharing the importance of family and community support and acceptance.
The Aboriginal Voices on Housing Network project is a structured and disciplined attempt to bring cross-sector housing organizations together with the City of Red Deer to focus on decreasing the level and severity of homelessness experienced by Aboriginal people and to address the systemic barriers that continue to make Aboriginal people vulnerable with an eye to long-lasting social change.

The network works with stakeholders in the creation of a common agenda for change including a shared understanding of the problem and a joint approach to solving it:
  • collecting data and measuring results consistently
  • open and continuous communication to build trust, skills and capacity, assure mutual objectives, and create common motivation.
  • The Aboriginal Voices on Housing Network Project is an important example of Indigenous-led initiatives with strong community support and an evidence-based approach.

Program Activities:
  •  Gap Analysis/ Research Report
  • On-going monitoring of housing stock
  • Monthly stakeholder’s Community Engagement Meetings
  • Aboriginal Housing Strategy    
  • Aboriginal Housing Protocol
  • Culturally Appropriate Assessment Tool
  • Building Collective Impact to address housing for Aboriginal people in Red Deer