First Directions Indigenous Youth HIV Leadership & Video Making Workshop

This event is located on the traditional territory of the S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), W̱SÁNEĆ and Kwantlen.

First Directions: Reclaiming our Bodies is a free program for Indigenous youth in British Columbia. During First Directions, youth travel to Langley, BC, and will stay in shared accommodations with other Indigenous youth, supervised by YouthCO staff.

Download the .pdf application form here. Or, download a Word version here. Applications will be accepted until the program is full - please apply as soon as possible to ensure your participation!

At First Directions, we bring Indigenous youth together from across the province to develop short videos on topics youth choose related to Indigenous youth health and wellness. During First Directions, a group of 15-25 Indigenous youth will:

• Travel to a shared accommodation retreat centre in Langley, BC, supervised by the Yúusnewas staff team

• Receive training on HIV, sexual health, harm reduction, and how colonization has affected our health—and what we can do about it

• Learn how to create a video, including how to use film equipment, create a storyboard, and edit their work

• Working in small groups, develop a film on a topic of their choice related to Indigenous youth health and wellness

After First Directions, Indigenous youth will receive a copy of their final video in the mail. Along with their adult mentor, Indigenous youth will have the opportunity to host a community gathering where they show their film.

YouthCO will cover travel costs to and from the workshop as well as meals and accommodations during the training to participants whose applications are accepted. We will work with families and communities to ensure safe transportation for all youth. 

As Indigenous youth we are talking about issues that affect our people so that we can share information with our friends and relatives about taking care of our bodies. With colonization and residential schools, a lot of our ancestral ways of taking care of ourselves were lost. We are determined to empower young Indigenous leaders to reclaim our bodies and teachings. 

So, now you might be asking yourself what does reclaiming our bodies even mean?

Reclaiming our bodies looks like a lot of things, some we may have not even thought about before now:

• Learning about our bodies and identities, free of shame

• Considering the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical aspects of taking care of our bodies and sexuality

• Being comfortable with who we are

• Having the information and tools to make decisions that are right for us

• The right to access birth control, sexual health, and harm reduction supplies that suits our needs and lives

• And so much more!

How to apply

Applications will be accepted until the program is full! Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your participation!

1. Download the .pdf application form here. Or, download a Word version here. 

2. Find an adult mentor in your community who is willing to support your application. This person does not need to come with you, but will be willing to offer you opportunities in your community after First Directions! The person should be someone who is comfortable talking about HIV, harm reduction, and sexual health. It could be a youth worker, teacher, Elder, or someone who has taken HIV trainings before. Have this person fill out the Adult Mentor information on page 6.

3. Fill out the application form (pages 2, 3, 4 & 5)

   • If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission to participate from your caregiver, whether that is a family member or a social worker.

   • Your mentor or the Yúusnewas team can help you fill this out! If you need access to a computer, printer, or scanner, give us a call at 604-688-1441, or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.

4. Complete photo/video release so we can show your videos to various audiences (page 9). For youth under 18, your caregiver, parent, guardian, or social worker will need to complete this form.

5. Give your application to the YouthCO team by mail, dropping off in person, or by email on or before February 15, 2019! Applications will be accepted until the program is full! Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your participation!