Beverly Keeshig-Sonias, Sonja Polz and Jacqlyn Padavell. Photograph by BODOÜM Photographie.
CBC radio talk host Elma Moses spoke with Beverly Keeshig-Sonias about the Well-Being toolkit and teachings that she shared at the 2025 Symposium on Child & Youth Trauma.
Beverly Keeshig-Sonias, Sonja Polz and Jacqlyn Padavell. Photograph by BODOÜM Photographie.
The Well-Being Toolkit toolkit is a valuable resource that supports indigenous and non-indigenous organizations in measuring well-being and the impact of services through an indigenous world view. It is a principle-based, culturally rooted framework and a practice orientation that is reflective of diverse ways of being and knowing and grounded in Indigenous perspectives as parallel approaches to validating practice. It was developed in collaboration with youth and families with lived experience, diverse agencies across Alberta, and Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
Key features of the Well-Being Toolkit include:
• Cultural Responsiveness: Ensures that services are tailored to respect and incorporate Indigenous cultural practices, languages, and traditions.
• Holistic Approach: Emphasizes the importance of addressing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being in child and family services.
• Community-Centered: Encourages strong community involvement and the building of supportive networks around children and families.
• Strength-Based Practices: Focuses on recognizing and building upon the strengths of children, families, and communities.
• Self-Determination: Supports the self-determination of Indigenous communities in managing and delivering their own child and family services, fostering greater control and ownership over processes and outcomes.