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The Awo Taan Self Assessment Wheel© Training Manual

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Presenters:

Josie Nepinak, Executive Director

Carolyn Woodroffe, Residential Program Coordinator

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Introduction

History of Development

• Awo Taan Native Women’s Shelter – 1993

• Awo Taan Initial Assessment Wheel –2003

• Aboriginal Framework Model – 2005

• Awo Taan Healing Lodge – 2007

• Awo Taan Self Assessment Wheel Training Manual – 2007

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Elder Advisors

• Annie Bare Shin Bone (Blackfoot)

• Carolla Calf Robe (Blackfoot)

• Beryl Kootenay (Stoney)

• Andy Black Water (Blackfoot)

• Patrick Deranger (Dene)

• Florence Large (Cree)

• Tom Crane Bear (Blackfoot)

• Olive Manitopyes (Cree)

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Research

The training model was grounded in research drawn from:

• Medicine Wheel models across North America

• Family Resilience Research

• Strengths Perspective

• Aboriginal Conceptualizations of Healing & Wellness

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Purpose/Value

The Awo Taan Self Assessment Wheel©Training Manual was developed to benefit service providers dedicated to working with Aboriginal women in the promotion of violence-free lifestyles and wholistic wellness.

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Training Manual

Learning Objectives

The teachings will enhance counselors capacity to:

1 Identify and articulate the various components and meaning of the Medicine Wheel.

2 Describe the differences between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of wellness.

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3 Understand the value and benefits of the assessment wheel.

4 Outline the assessment wheel process

and the benefits from its continued use.

5 Describe the steps in applying the Self Assessment Wheel.

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6 Learn how to apply the Self Assessment

Wheel in developing goals and activities to improve well being and to guide case management best practices.

7 Learn about the value of the traditional knowledge of Elders and the transfer of that knowledge as sacred.

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Extent of the issue

• Among the most serious health problems affecting Aboriginal people in decades, since the Second world War are injuries sustained as a result of accidents & violence.

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Self Assessment Wheel Training

The Training Manual is presented in four parts with two assumptions:

Assumption #1:In mainstream society, the majority of shelter professionals are non-Aboriginal and may benefit from an Aboriginal perspective.

Assumption #2:

There is often a high turnover of shelter staff. The manual provides a foundation for learning.

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Training Manual: Part I

• Provides an overview of family violence in general with a focus on Aboriginal family violence within an historical context of colonization.

• This context further shapes how family violence is defined and manifested.

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Training Manual: Part II

• Examines Aboriginal conceptualizations of healing and wellness.

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Training Manual: Part III

• Provides detailed training on how to incorporate the wheel as a practice tool.

• There are three sub-sections which address unique populations:

1. Healing Lodge Shelter residents

2. Parent-Link Centre (resource centre)

3. Outreach Program (community based)

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Wellness Counselor’s Checklist

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Awo Taan Self Assessment Wheel©

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Pre Assessment example

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Post Assessment example

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Sample Client

Population

Physical Mental Spiritual Emotional

Person 1-pre 1 2 4 2

Person 1-post 3 3 4 3

Person 2-pre 2 2 1.5 1

Person 2-post 3.5 3 2 3

Person 3-pre 1 2 2 2

Person 3-post 2 2 2 3

Person 4-pre 2 2 1 2

Person 4-post 3 3 4 3

Person 5-pre 2 2 2 1.5

Person 5-post 3 3.5 3.5 3

Person 6-pre 2 3 1 1

Person 6-post 3 3 2 2

Person 7-pre 2 2 1 3

Person 7-post 4 4 2 3

Person 8-pre 2 2 3 1

Person 8-post 2.5 3 3 2

Person 9-pre 2 3 4 2

Person 9-post 3 3 4 3

A few

comments from

ex-residents:“…very supportive and

helpful”

“” I liked the

encouragement and

positive attitudes”

“Very insightful helpful

and empathetic”

“Helped me to find

solutions for future

living arrangements &

explored feeling about

personal situations”

Sample population of Client Pre & Post

Assessment Scores January - December 2010

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Graph

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Training Manual: Part IV

• Provides information on the application of the Self Assessment Wheel and the

dimensions of Well-Being:

Key Areas of Growth

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The Awo Taan Self Assessment Wheel© Training Manual can be purchased through Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society.

To purchase a copy, please contact

Josie Nepinak at 405-531-1970 ext 202

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Thank You.