The Canadian Red Cross Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety Program (ISWSP) was one of many that evolved its courses and delivery of programming in the last several years and continues to cope with and recover from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Innovative program work brought swimming, water safety, babysitting and Stay Safe courses to communities online and in-person, in addition to using creative solutions to deliver equipment and information to regions with technology limitations.
Alberta saw the largest amount of programming with Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, Gift Lake Métis Settlement, and the Children’s Resource Centre in High Prairie, which supports close to a dozen Métis and First Nations communities in the region. Red Cross is also developing new relationships with Alberta Native Friendship Centres, which led to some virtual and in-person programing for youth in the Hinton area, covering topics such as ice safety and opioid awareness, along with offering standard first aid and babysitting courses.
“We were able to do more in-person work in addition to offering virtual opportunities,” says Lesley-Anne Morley, Senior Manager of Injury Prevention, Risk Reduction, Indigenous Programs. “The partnership between Red Cross and the participating communities allowed increased access to courses to certify more First Aid and Water Safety leaders. The community goal of taking ownership of delivering the programs is being realized now after delays due to the pandemic.”
Red Cross continues to connect with communities and develop new relationships to increase community leaders in risk reduction.
Total Number of Participants in Alberta: 142
Total Number of Program Participants: 540
Swimming and Water Safety Courses
Training and Certification