Chii kayeh iyaakwaamiih Program on Relationships and Sexual Health

This three-year research project focused on the implementation of the chii kayeh Program. It took place in two high schools located in Waswanipi and Waskaganish. The results led to the creation of a fully revised program. The chii kayeh iyaakwaamiih Program on Relationships and Sexual Health. The words chii kayeh iyaakwaamiih mean "You too, be careful".

The chii kayeh Program was a new course for secondary III or IV students promoting sexual health and preventing the spread of STIs and HIV. After learning about sexual health, students created a team project (aasshuumiih) in order to share their knowledge and skills with the other students of the school.

Two committees gave a Cree focus to the research project and the program. The Advisory Committee, composed of parents, youth, Elders, Band Council members and other key players from each pilot community provided input for the project. The Sub-committee had four permanent members, including two Elders. These members actively participated in interpreting the results of the research project and in developing and confirming modifications to the program.

Information was gathered from several sources to understand how and if the program worked. Teachers filled out a journal after each lesson. Students filled out a questionnaire at the end of the school year. Parents, teachers, students and other community members were interviewed.

Main results

In light of the information gathered from these sources, significant changes were made to the program to strengthen the cultural adaptation and provide activities that are more sensitive to the ways of learning of the youth involved. The program was also restructured so that team projects could be completed before the Goose Break.

Extracts from interviews held with students provide a good illustration of their reaction to the program.
"I think so (that it should be offered in other communities), cause it really help(ed) me again, for my self-esteem, and how (to) tell people to know that; I think it's a good idea."
"So, the youth will learn about self-respect and other stuff about growing up."
"I learned to be assertive."
"Now I understand what peer pressure is about and how to say no."

More than 60% of the students said they found the program interesting and were satisfied with what they learned. More than half of the students learned information that helped with making a decision to put off having sex. In the second year, 39 students were able to complete and present their group project to other students. What they most retained was a great sense of pride (65%), a feeling of having been able to meet a challenge (53%), a feeling that what they did was useful to others (53%) and to themselves (50%). For many, it was an opportunity to receive positive comments from adults (50%) and from other students (37%).

Conclusion

For the program to work well and be meaningful for the youth of Eeyou Istchee, it must be supported by everyone in the community.

Documents related to the program in English
Student's workbook and cover page: Student-Int-En-LR and Student-couvert-En-LR
Tamarack Tree Booklet and cover page: Int-brochure 16 pages-Ang-LR and Crie-Couvert-Brochure-Ang-LR
Teacher's Guide and cover page: Cartable-teacher guide-2011-LR and Cover-cartable-Ang-LR

Documents related to the program in French
Cahier de l'élève  et page couverture: cahier-ELEVE-Fr-INT-LR and couvert-FRA-cahier-LR
Brochure Mélèze et page couverture: Int-Brochure-16 pages-Fr-LR and Crie-couvert-brochure-Fr-LR
Guide de l'enseignant et page couverture: Cartable-Prof-FR-LR and Couvetr-Guide-Enseignant-LR