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The science behind The Wakanheza Project
Through the collaborative work and leadership of Christina Erickson, Ph.D., The Wakanheza Project has recently been published in the School of Social Work Journal.* Dr. Christina Erickson created a powerpoint presentation outlining some of the findings described in the article. The powerpoint is available for you to read. | Why The Wakanheza Project Works: Elements of Evidence Based Practice (pdf)
*Erickson, C. L., Lee, S., & Mattaini, M. A. (2009). A community prevention approach to peaceful schools: Application of wakanheza. School of Social Work Journal, 34(1), p43-60.
Wakanheza is the Dakota word for child, its English translation is sacred being. Imagine if we were to treat one another as sacred beings. Imagine a community where EVERYONE feels welcomed and respected.
The Wakanheza Project is a community-wide effort that provides tools and strategies for creating welcoming environments. The Wakanheza Project helps people effectively respond in every-day stressful situations between one another and prevent them from happening in the first place.
What is The Wakanheza Project? | The Wakanheza Project guiding principles
What are these “Stressful situations”?
Have you ever been in a public place like a grocery store, a library, or a mall and seen a parent struggling with their children, trying to keep them in line and well behaved? Have you watched that situation escalate? Did you wonder then, and are you still wondering now, what you could have done? Have you ever BEEN that parent?
Do you find yourself uncomfortable when you encounter young people (teens) on the street? Do you find yourself wondering why they dress and act the way they do? Can you remember what it was like when you were that young person (teen)?
Do you work in an organization where you see stressful situations happen, leaving you and your co-workers wondering what to do to best respond? Let us know and check out the information below for tools and strategies to create welcoming environments.
In the community
Check out what others are doing with The Wakanheza Project.
Minnesota Children's Museum Sparking children's learning through play. MCM continues to be a leader in how to create and promote welcoming environments.
Ask Annie helps a bystander in public.
Examiner.com promotes The Wakanheza Project.
DuPage Children's Museum shares moments from their experiences with The Wakanheza Project.
Devereux Florida promotes The Wakanheza Project to help restore a sense of safety in the community.
Materials
Materials are available for your usage to help you create a welcoming environment wherever you are:
Creating Welcoming Environments for Youth (CWEY) Booklet (pdf) | Booklet for Schools (pdf) | **Posters - Free** (pdf)
Video
Watch Lending a Hand...The Wakanheza Project for survival tips for parents and young people to help us all get through and thrive during the cold winter months. 
Lending a Hand: The Wakanheza Project**
Upcoming Broadcasts on tptMN | Twin Cities Public Television Cable Channels (pdf)
January (tpt MNChannel)
Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 4:00 AM
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 4:00 PM
**Contact us For details. Quantities, location, and postage may determine price.
Applying the Wakanheza Project in public places
The following will help you use the tools of The Wakanheza Project in grocery stores, malls, and in your life. Three Steps in Public Places (pdf)
Wakanheza Project Location Card (pdf-set up for printing and folding purposes)
This is a list of partners who have either implemented The Wakanheza Project into their organization or collaborated with the Project to embed and sustain it into other organizations. (print back to back and fold in half with organization list on inside)
Articles
Making Peace in the Community (pdf) Augsburg Now
The Right Directions Can Keep Kids Safe (pdf) Saint Paul Pioneer Press
From Holy Terrors to Sacred Beings (pdf) Connect for Kids
Kindness of Strangers, Pioneer Press (pdf)
Meltdown management (pdf) Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune
Have questions about The Wakanheza Project? Let us know!
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