History of Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Brad Seneca is a full-blooded Anishnabe of (Chippewa) from the Chippewa of the Thames First Nations located near the city of London Ontario. Brad grew up on the reserve with his grandmother who was a traditionalist and medicine person, she taught Brad the ways of the Anishnabe people. He attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia taking evening courses in the area of Addictions and in 1991 he moved to Edmonton where he began working with people involved with high drug use. Shauna Seneca was born and raised in Edmonton and has worked in the helping profession for the past 23 years in a variety of positions. Her career started in the Income Support department where she worked for 10 years and then left to manage an employment and pre-employment program. Shauna has been instrumental in developing curriculum and workshops to support individuals and families that were looking for wholistic interventions.
In December of 1993 Brad and Shauna created a youth focused program called Bent Arrow that provided services to 16 to 24 year old youths who wanted to secure employment, return to school and were looking for a new direction in their lives. In 1994 they decided to establish a non profit charitable organization and called it Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and in the spring of 1995 the Society was approached by Children Services to establish a group home for Aboriginal youth between the ages of 12 and 17. Together they founded the society and based it on traditional teachings and values, their passion about what they do and who they work with are what keeps them energized and committed. Both Brad and Shauna have high expectations of themselves and the people who work at Bent Arrow. These expectations focus on living healthy lifestyles and the ability to balance the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects of our lives.
Sadly on December 14, 2006 Shauna Seneca passed away. Her vision, spirit, and dedication to the society continue through the staff she mentored and through the people she impacted.
Since the establishment of the first group home the Society has grown and developed a number of other programs and services that focus on providing direction and support for Aboriginal children, youth, adults and families. Shauna's legacy will continue to grow in programs and services that support the Aboriginal community.
These include:
Kokomish House
Long term residential care program and receiving and assessment placements for youth between the ages 12 and 17 who are in the care of Children Services.
Rites of Passage School
Full time educational program for Aboriginal youth between the ages 12 and 15 who are at risk of dropping out of school. The program combines spirituality, culture, life skills and academics.
Aboriginal Careers Training Program
A p re-employment program for Aboriginal people over the age of 18. Focuses on helping people develop the necessary personal and work related skills to find and maintain gainful employment.
Coyote Kids
A program for children between the ages of 7 and 12. The program is offered once a week from September to June. During the summer the children participate in the Children's Cultural Camps offered by the Society. The children learn about culture, spirituality and traditions. There is also a strong recreational component.
Healthy Families
A project under Success By Six providing long-term intensive home visitation support for first time parents.
Foster Care
This program provides an intensive long-term family based treatment program for Aboriginal youth between the ages of 12 and 17 years that have status with Children Services and require an alternative family environment.
Circle of Hope
This program provides ongoing to survivors of residential schools, their families and their community through one on one support, group interactions, teachings and traditional ways, connecting with Elders and other spiritual supports as well as the opportunity to share experiences and stories.
Wind Dancers Youth Pre-employment Program
Wind Dancers is an Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative. The program is a wholistic and flexible program designed to meet the specific needs of youth between the ages of 16 - 29.
Iskwew House
Iskwew House is a supportive learning environment for young women as they prepare for parenthood and independence.
White Cloud Head Start
The Bent Arrow Head Start Program is to provide Aboriginal Pre-school children with a positive sense of themselves and an opportunity to develop and learn different skills to be successful in the school system.
Community Parents
Community Parents is a program of "Parents helping Parents" they will Give support, join you on outings, connect you with community resources, and Offer parenting information in groups or one-on-one.
Sacred Circle
Our program is committed to building on the strengths of aboriginal children, youth and their families. We provide Family Support Workers, Family Aide Workers and Youth Workers who ensure our clients receive the best services possible. Our staff is dedicated to the spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of their clients.
Orenda House
Supporting families who are at risk of becoming homeless or are homeless and are committed to a positive and healthy lifestyle for their children and themselves.
Aboriginal Parent Link Centre
This program provides a gathering place where Aboriginal families can access programs and share experiences. The centre gives a wholisitic approach to healthy parent - child interaction and provides families with a supportive environment where they can learn, bond and grow.
Aboriginal Community Connections Centre
A centre where Aboriginal youth, adults, and families can access community resources, cultural connections and assistance in advocacy and navigating formal systems.