Program gave single mother a second chance

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Loretta Callioux was still on high school when she discovered she was about to become a mother. "I had to drop out of school, I didn't have any choice," she says.

After her baby was born, she spent a lot of time thinking about the future for herself and herself and her son Justin. "It didn't look bright without a high school diploma you can't pursue much of a career," she says.

Callioux desperately wanted to support herself and her child without any assistance, but couldn't find a suitable program which would allow her as a single mom to complete her schooling and proceed to employment trailing, "then I heard about sacred Trails, operated by Alberta Vocational College."

Callioux fit within the target group of the program, which was started for disadvantaged youth in 1989 by the native services department of Alberta family and social services. These young people were receiving unemployment insurance, had been out of school for one year, were referred by the solicitor general's department or were otherwise receiving government assistance.

An advisory committee for the Sacred Trails program was formed which included cree elder Dr. Anne Anderson and representatives from the office of the solicitor general, the secretary of state, Edmonton's young offenders centre and family social services.

"Originally the program was set up to give Native youth a chance to enhance their knowledge of the trails Indian people used in historic times, but it wasn't long before the program developed with an emphasis on education, integration and cross-cultural issues, with the trails as part of an important historical research," explains Connie Leonard of Native services. Recruitment was based on the individual's willingness to take steps to realize their vision for independence, she says.

"The cultural component unites the youth with elders and spiritual leaders from a number of cultures," she says. And it is important for youth in the program to learn about their own culture values and attitudes, which include mutual respect, sharing and resourcefulness.

As for education, participants are required to take formal upgrading and job-readiness training.

"Above all we want the young people to contribute back to the society which is helping them achieve their goals," says Leonard. As a result the youth have willingly volunteered their services at places like neighborhood police foot patrol offices, the Boyle-McCauley inner city centre, the Mother Earth Healing Society, the food bank and the Panther Gym.

And all the young people have part-time positions, she says.

"All their hours of volunteering are impressive. An example is Donyvon Horse who has 425 hours to his credit," says Leonard.

Callioux joined the program in October. "My first priority is to finish Grade 12. I should be able to do that by June," she says.

She enjoys the cultural activities - like the burning every morning of sweetgrass - which are held in addition to math, social studies, science and other academic subjects.

Callioux says she will always be grateful she was part of the Sacred Trails program. "It is giving me a strong feeling of my Indian heritage, incorporating Cree and courses from a Native perspective into our everyday life."

The former Fishing Lake resident says she wasn't exposed much to her culture as a youngster growing up. "Now I'm finding more confidence and identity through the Native awareness," she says.

Callious says she will be glad when she has completed her time with Sacred Trails and is on to the next stage of her career, which will probably include training at Grant MacEwan Community College. However, she hopes to keep in touch with others in the class.

"We have become really close, sharing each other's problems and helping in solving them. We have become lifelong friends."