The Canadian Red Cross violence prevention team has been working closely with the O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation for several years delivering bullying prevention, child abuse prevention and healthy youth relationships workshops at Oscar Blackburn School, which serves the O-Pipon-Na-Piwin community.
The Red Cross has worked with several agencies that serve and support the community including health, education and Jordan’s Principle workers, as well as First Nations leadership. The Red Cross team has witnessed firsthand the value of breaking down individual agency silos in order to ensure that everyone is working together to make the community a better place.
Cheryl Montgomery, principal of Oscar Blackburn School, has watched the growing three-year relationship between the community and the Red Cross.
“It has brought forth a lot of partnerships within our community, putting the school and the health complex together as a team,” said Montgomery. “Together, we are bringing in a lot of resources for our kids; information about bullying, alcohol and drug awareness, building friendships, and most of all, teamwork.”
Montgomery noted the Red Cross team’s success has had broad ramifications for the community. “The Red Cross also helps all of us as organizers work together to create a more prosperous community. I look forward to keeping up with this program for as much as I can,” said Montgomery.
Manitoba 2018-2019 Report Back to Communities