Jennifer Red Young Man is the new Indigenous outreach worker with Fort Macleod Kids First Family Centre.
Jennifer Red Young Man will help Indigenous families in Fort Macleod and district connect with their culture and language.
Red Young Man is the new Indigenous outreach worker with Fort Macleod Kids First Family Centre.
“I am very excited to connect with organizations and help support and connect families, youth and children,” Red Young Man said.
Red Young Man is a Blood Tribe member whose Blackfoot name is Niisto Nitaniko Aasainakii and whose parents are Leroy Hunt and Elizabeth Vielle.
Red Young Man is trained in child and youth care and addiction, and is in the last semester of the Indigenous Culture and Language diploma program at Red Crow College.
She brings to her new post about 16 years of management experience working with high risk First Nations youth in the area of program development.
In addition, Red Young Man is a reviewer with the Canadian Accreditation Council.
The role of Indigenous outreach worker with Kids First Family Centre presents a new challenge for Red Young Man.
“My area has mostly been in group care and I wanted the opportunity to work with families,” Red Young Man explained. “The organization has been very welcoming to me and I work with an awesome team. We also have a family support and youth support worker who I look forward to working with.”
Red Young Man will engage families with a strong focus on Indigenous families especially those who are struggling and vulnerable.
As the Indigenous outreach worker, Red Young Man will facilitate the Indigenous Triple P Parenting Program and the Traditional Parenting Program.
She will also offer ASQ and ASQE screening, and provide support, advocacy and referrals to other agencies.
“I understand the importance of connecting our people back to our culture and language,” Red Young Man said. “I will also offer support to our people by connecting them with elders, sharing circles, ceremonies, culture and language. This will help families and youth find their connection and kinship alliances.”
With Fort Macleod situated near the Blood Tribe to the south and the Piikani Nation to the west, Kids First is ideally located to help Indigenous families.
“Some of our people leave the reserve and relocate to Fort Macleod and surrounding towns,” Red Young Man explained. “So being an extra support to these families is my goal. Also to keep the families connected to our culture in a safe environment. ”
The public health restrictions is place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 increase the challenge Red Young Man has in connecting with families.
The pandemic’s arrival in Alberta coincided with the new mandate for Kids First through the Family Resource Network both came in effect around the same time.
Fort Macleod, Granum and district residents can help Red Young Man in her work with Kids First.
“If you know an indigenous family that needs that extra support send them my way,” she said.
People can contact Jennifer Red Young Man at 587-787-1071 or outreach@fmkidsfirst.com.
Red Young Man looks forward to helping Indigenous families feel connected to culture and language and be part of their kinship alliance.
And she notes Kids First has lots more to offer the entire community.
“Kid’s First family Centre has so much to offer all families, youth and children in Fort Macleod and area so give us a call for more information,” Red Young Man said.
