Community Learning Centres: A Model of Community Engagement in Health, Education and Training

1. Community Learning Centres: A Model of Community Engagement in Health, Education and Training Sandra Jarvis-Selinger – on behalf of the KCLC team

2. Ktunaxa Community Learning Centres • UBC and Ktunaxa Nation • Ktunaxa communities: • ʔAq̉am • Lower Kootenay • ʔAkisq̉nuk • Tobacco Plains

3. Technology and Health • Design, implement, and evaluate Community Learning Centres (CLCs) • CLC defined: • Freely accessible Internet- linked computers • Web-based health information that include community defined content

4. CIHR funding laid the groundwork TEKTIC funding significantly enhanced KCLC by supporting specific initiatives that have helped define the success of KCLC project KCLC Outcomes

5. TEKTIC Outcomes • University-Community Mentorship • Music Technology Workshop • Yukon First Nations Partnerships • Ktunaxa-Yukon Knowledge Sharing Workshop

6. University-Community Mentorship • A university researcher learned and applied community-based research methodologies to support and mentor community leads • This mentorship empowered leads to: • Engage with the community to determine health priorities • Create the website content and design • Organize CLC workshops and events • This mentorship also led to long-term relationships… • Based on trust and open communication • Over various mediums (e.g. email, Skype, WebEx) • Which enhanced collaboration across social, cultural, and physical boundaries.

7. “WebEx is a great tool for helping us out with our Community Learning Centres. It’s a great way to get into new technology and it helps us to better communicate with all of the CLC workers as a group.” -Lower Kootenay Research Lead

8. Music Technology Workshop • Held in April 2009 for over 20 Ktunaxa youth to collaboratively record music • Led by two successful Aboriginal musicians, and DigiDesign’s charity committee donated “state of the art” equipment • This workshop enabled youth to: • Collaboratively create a song titled “Stomp” • Organize regular evening music recording sessions at the CLC • Access a sustainable outlet for self-expression and a healthy environment to interact with peers • Talk about important issues they face in their community (e.g. depression, drug use) in an authentic way

9. “This is a beat, this is a song, this is an anthem.Turn up the song, turn up the base, start dancin’.Let loose, let the venom of the music intoxicate your body.Feelin’ the rush, lovin’ the high, kickin’ the adrenaline.My mind occupied from the rush of the music.”- Donovan Williams, participant

10. Yukon First Nations Partnerships • The UBC eHealth Strategy Office has begun a consultative dialogue with the 14 Yukon First Nations communities • Discussions have been around assessing readiness and preparation for future Yukon CLCs • Yukon Health and Social Directors have expressed interest in collaboratively applying for Yukon CLC funding • This TEKTIC funding creates a reciprocal knowledge translation opportunity that will allow: • Yukon communities to learn from KCLC best practices • The KCLC team to learn about CLCs applied in a northern context

11. “The Yukon Community Learning Centres (CLC) initiative aims to discuss the idea of building partnerships with interested Yukon First Nation communities to develop centres where residents and health professionals can access health resources through the use of ICTs.”

12. Ktunaxa-Yukon Knowledge Sharing Workshop • The Ktunaxa CLC team plans to travel to the Yukon to share experiences developing CLCs through a knowledge sharing workshop • The purpose of this workshop is to share best practices and lessons learned in CLC development and implementation • This workshop will create a synergistic link that supports ongoing CLC development and mentorship in both regions

13. Since I’ve been on this project, I’ve learned lots of things.  I’ve taken what computer skills I’ve used in school to knew levels. I’ve grown with my people skills along with my research skills. The CLC is a real good thing to have on our reserve.  It will be very beneficial.-Lower Kootenay Research Lead

14. Looking Ahead • The KCLC project has created a strong research foundation. Building and expanding the CLC concept will contribute to: • Technology-enabled knowledge translation research in rural, Northern and Aboriginal health • Best practices of community-based research • Opportunities to develop, implement and evaluate CLCs in a variety of settings • Stronger outcomes and best practices, which will contribute to an understanding of CLC appropriateness • Establishing CLCs as an integral part of the health services model, and as an educational innovation that improves access to health information

18. KCLC Project Partners UBC eHealth Strategy Office Sandra Jarvis-Selinger (Nominated Principal Investigator), Kendall Ho, Helen Novak Lauscher, Yolanda Liman, Katherine Wisener Ktunaxa Community Partners Don Maki, Pauline Eugene, Lisa Jimmie, Ashley Casimer, Nigel Warden, James White, Brandy Joe

19. Thank You Questions or Comments