Fourth R: Uniting Our Nations
Resource Description
Uniting Our Nations focuses on building healthy relationships, offering culturally relevant experiences, and prioritizing mentorship for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth. It was co-created with Indigenous educators, students, counsellors, and community partners. The resource includes three programs: a Health and Physical Education program (26–28 lessons for Grades 7–9), Literacy Test Preparation (number of lessons not published), and the Indigenous Peer Mentoring Program (weekly activities for mentors and mentees). Uniting Our Nations is facilitated by classroom teachers together with Indigenous community partners.
Overview
Developmental Stage
Early/Middle Adolescence (Grades 6–9); Late Adolescence (Grades 10–12)
Developed / Used in Canada
Developed and used in Canada
Tiers
Tier 1: Universal
Evidence Category
Promising
Supports Offered
A teacher-friendly curriculum package with lesson objectives, handouts, and materials. A toolkit for engaging Indigenous youth is also available on the website's Training tab.
Clauses Addressed
- 2.1.2 – Belonging-based prevention
- 3.1.2 – Belonging-based prevention
- 2.1.3 – Health literacy and resilience
- 3.1.3 – Health literacy and resilience
- 2.1.5 – Nurturing student interests and passions
- 3.1.5 – Nurturing student interests and passions
- 2.1.8 – Community partnerships for prevention and education
- 3.1.8 – Community partnerships for prevention and education
- 2.1.16 – Student partnership
- 3.1.16 – Student partnership
- 2.1.17 – Student leadership
- 3.1.17 – Student leadership
- 2.2.6 – Engaging culture and community
- 3.2.6 – Engaging culture and community
- 2.2.13 – Facilitating connections to supports
- 3.2.13 – Facilitating connections to supports
Research Outcomes Summary
Students, staff, and community partners involved with Uniting Our Nations report that it strengthened students' relationships and sense of belonging, built their confidence and leadership skills, and deepened their connection to their culture. Both studies point to cultural connectedness as central to how the program supports the well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth.
