Indigenous Peer Mentoring: Skills for Effective Relationships

There are a wide range of clips to choose from that address different themes and include topics such as: racism, alcohol use, drug use, dating violence, bullying, gang involvement, etc. It is important to review clips in advance of showing them to the students so that appropriate clips are chosen for the youth in the mentoring group as well as the topics being discussed. The peer mentoring manual identifies when it would be an appropriate time to show a clip.

These clips are organized into three sections. Part I focuses on demonstrating communication styles which include: assertive, passive and aggressive communication. Part II focuses on demonstrating skills that include: delay, refusal and negotiation skills and Part III focuses on a combination of skills.

Part I: Assertive, Passive, Aggressive Communication Styles

Scene 1: Racism - An Indigenous student is late to class because she was smudging. She is the target of racial comments from a peer in class. 

Scene 2: Alcohol Use - One partner is upset with the other partner for drinking. 

Scene 3: Dating Violence - Rumours about cheating on partner.

Part II: Delay, Refusal, Negotiation Skills

Scene 1: Bullying (Gang Involvement) - Pressure to participate in gang activity (stealing).

Scene 2: Drug Use - Friends approach another friend to smoke weed.

Scene 3: Dating Violence/Sexual Pressure - Pressuring partner to engage in sexual activity.

Part III: Combination of Skills

Scene 1: Bullying - A student is trying to pass by in the hall and some others start harassing him.

 

Scene 2: Cyber Bullying - Inappropriate picture taken in change room on cell phone.

Scene 3: Racism - Indigenous youth is dating a “white” person but the friends don’t agree with the relationship.