SHED Community Program Development Internship

City: Kapawe'no First Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation Country: Canada

Overview

In a Nutshell.... This internship program got its start from a grant-funded project between Indigenous Sport Council Alberta (ISCA) and the University of Alberta. Through the community development work of ISCA, Kapawe'no First Nation, Sucker Creek First Nation and university interns, an in-community summer sport camp program has been developed!

What is SHED?

Glad you asked! SHED stands for Spiritual Holistic Exercise Den and is a concept that was co-developed with Indigenous communities by a UofA student team in 2021!

SHED's Purpose

The Spiritual Holistic Exercise Den (SHED) program encompasses the medicine wheel teachings to promote a holistic approach to sport, physical activity, and recreation programming within Indigenous communities.

The core of SHED is social, career, and higher learning development of youth through the shared experience of sport in community. It delivers a pre-built structure stocked with both mainstream and traditional sport equipment and utilizes student interns and community youth leaders to deliver a cost-free summer sport camp right in community.

SUMMER 2024 - Youth Mentorship Internship & Cultural Immersion Summer Program

Are you a post-secondary student with previous summer camp experience, eager to expand your horizons and make a meaningful impact?

Look no further than our Youth Mentorship Internship & Cultural Immersion Summer Program!

Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, develop leadership skills, and empower youth leaders in Indigenous communities. This summer, embark on a transformative intercultural experience that will shape your future and leave a lasting impact on others.

About the Program:

Our program offers post-secondary students a unique opportunity to become mentors to youth leaders in Indigenous communities. Interns will train, mentor, and coach youth aged 15-18 to lead SHED summer camp programming in their communities!

Through immersive experiences, workshops, and cultural activities, participants will:

Learn about and experience Indigenous culture firsthand
Develop leadership, mentorship, and project management skills
Lead mini-workshops to expose youth leaders to post-secondary studies
Foster meaningful connections within Indigenous communities

What to Expect:

Weekly Cultural Experiences: Engage in traditional ceremonies, storytelling, and cultural practices
Intercultural Workshops: Gain insights into Indigenous history, customs, and contemporary issues
Leadership Development: Enhance your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through hands-on mentorship
Project Management: Learn to plan, organize, and execute community-based projects alongside local leaders
Impactful experience: Develop meaningful connections with your mentees and community members

Why Participate:

Interns will experience life in an Indigenous community where they will facilitate a youth leadership training program, provide support and feedback to youth as they lead summer camp programming, and develop and deliver educational workshops to provide youth with a “taster” of post-secondary programming. In addition to the career skills interns will develop, they will also:

Make a Difference: Empower youth leaders and contribute to community development
Cultural Immersion: Gain a deep understanding and appreciation for Indigenous culture
Personal Growth: Expand your worldview, develop resilience, and build confidence
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals and Indigenous community members
Resume Enhancement: Acquire valuable skills and experiences for future academic and professional pursuits

Internship Details?

Program Details:

Intern training in June
Youth Training & Culture immersion (all interns) July 2-5
Internship 2 Weeks (Rotating Schedules)
Cost: $1450 per participant (program fee covers accommodations, meals, cultural experiences, and workshops - 100% of the program fee directly benefits the communities)
Eligibility: Post-secondary students with summer camp experience
Location: Sucker Creek First Nation & Kapawe’no First Nation
Scholarships of up to $2000 may be available for participating interns

Eligibility Requirements

Open to: All Canadian Students
Level: Undergraduate, Graduate

Other Requirements:

The success of this internship project is contigent on the commitment from participants. Students who register are expected to commit to the full duration of the project and project deliverables.
A clear criminal record and vulnerable sector check will be required to be submitted after registration is confirmed

Application Process

Submit your application to be considered for the internship HERE.

Application Deadline is May 15th. There are only 20 internships available so spots are limited. Preference given to candidates with previous youth mentor and/or summer camp experience.