Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Reflection - Essay Example Furthermore, I recognize that while text represents one form of literacy, literacy may also represent visual elements; in these regards, being literate in terms of the media or film is also possible. With the advent of the internet and the recent explosion of social networking platforms, it’s clear that literacy represents far more than mere literature or textual storytelling. Today it’s necessary for students to grasp literacy in terms of the complex array of contemporary modes of expression. I believe that multiliteracies will be about exploring the different forms of literacy that predominant the contemporary world. In these regards, I believe it will go beyond simply exploring textual literacy, but also consider the nature of media literacy. In these regards, literacy will come to encompass a much broader or – multiple – understanding. In the contemporary world literacy encapsulates a much broader spectrum of understanding than in the past. For instance, computer games and card games have come to be examined for their educational value. While individuals generally consider literacy in terms of a text or visual based item, one must also consider that within deciphering these text/visual elements is the necessity of deeper cultural understanding. The week two readings, while most importantly considering the necessity of school and home partnership, also demonstrated the necessity of deeper cultural understanding to achieve higher literacy. Keeping with this relation of culture and literacy, week 3’s readings considered the nature of multiple-literacies not in terms of multiple mediums (textual, visual) but also in terms of multiple forms of cultural expression. The primary argument is that in the 21st century there has been a notable shift in the means of cultural expression away from predominantly text-based forms of expression. Furthermore, research has indicated

Travel and Tourism Essay Example for Free

Travel and Tourism Essay Inbound What is inbound travel? This is when people from other countries come and visit the up and all around the UK for a holiday or the purpose of tourism. For instance a person from Spain coming to visit the UK on holiday Domestic What is domestic travel? This is when UK residents travel around the UK for the sole purpose of tourism. For instance a person from Halifax going on holiday to Blackpool or Whitby The difference within the both inbound and domestic is that people from out of the UK come in to travel and become tourists in the UK and with domestic is when people travel around the UK for a holiday like going to Blackpool etc. A couple from china that would want to visit all of the main capitals in the UK. As the couple from china may have never visited the uk they would not know what to do like getting information or the best places for accommodation therefore I will be explaining everything where to get information from and where to visit. The United Kingdom has four main capital cities: London Edinburgh Belfast Cardiff The Chinese couple would wish to visit all of these main capital cities. When going to another country getting information is key about the city but about everything in general like getting information or finding out where to go the best places to stay etc. and good and an effective website because it has everything that an tourist would need the website is easy to navigate there are maps and brochures that the couple could print of and there is also an 360 degrees virtual map that they could use to get familiar with  London. They also have a customer’s service desk so that if the couple ever needed an information then they would be able to ring them Where to stay within time London has become very successful within the tourist business. See more: The issues concerning identity theft essay What to do? whilst London is an very modern and well developed the city still has its world renown heritage sites that tourists can visit there are over 2123 attractions that they could visit whilst they were in London these consist of the major attractions like the big ben tower of London or even the London eye all of these activities can be booked online and may be cost less than what it would cost to buy the tickets on the day. On the visit London website they do an attraction planner that the couple could download and print so that they can plan there whole activities and that they can get enough activities and attractions that they6 would need to. They are attractions for the couple to see that they may not have to pay for and that they can enjoy for free. The London nightlife in best in the whole country they have the best night clubs in the uk there so if the couple want to go out or if they don’t want to go to the clubs they can go on romantic dinners and there’ s spas all around London 5* Transport getting around London is very easy due to the many different forms of transport there are taxis there are trains cable cars buses and the tube theses are accessible all around the uk and they are very reasonably priced and they are not very expensive at all. For the couple the cheapest thing for them to get would be the oyster card this is an smart card that can be bought on the website and it can be used all around the uk and how many times they would want to it can be used on any time of transport. The couple can buy these cards online and they can also pay for these and they would get theses in advance for when they plan to travel London On the website visit London they have an whole link that shows disabled people how to access London quicker there are special tours that disabled people can access then there are the transport services there is help for them there and the fares are an lot cheaper every  attraction in London has disables toilets and easy accessible stairs or lifts that they would be able to access. For the customer service there is an 24 hour customer help lines that tourist can ring if they are in any types of trouble the number can be found on the visit London website there is also an map so that people don’t get lost their however they are tourist centres all around London so people can go in If they have an questions. There are many places where the couple could go if they wanted to save some money there are the free attractions around London like the museums etc. or if he couple decide to visit the uk on the visit London site there is an navigation below I have an image of the website its shows any types of special offers like discounts on theatre clubs or there is also an list of cheap hotel offers. The cost to vist the uk can vary depending on wwhere abouts in they would want to vistype of holiday for intance an romantic holiday ect below I am going to show the cost pof visting london for 2 nights 3 days Flights- £470 per person - £940 Hotels  £29 per night - £58 Ativities they are many things to do free activies and then they are the heritage sites 18.80 per person etc Food-shops all around of the uk MAXIMUM  £100 1175.5 Edinburgh Edinburgh is the the main capital city of scotland and is known for its amayzing senory and wonderfull countrey side is an tourist attraction that is normall like by maybe mnature people due to it being quite etc. To accsess information about edinbourgh there are so many sites and the sites are all very easy to navigate and there all really easy to acsess there is inofromation about everything on there like accomadation travel things to do etc one of the websites that I found very usefull and very easy to accsess was the vist edinbourgh website.on this website there was an navigation for everything and it was so eay to navigate there was also lots of pictures so we could see what the senery looks like. Becausde edinbourgh is an capital city and is very well known around the world there acomadation range is endless there is somethin there for everybody is ther couple wanted an romantic hotel or if they wanted an cheap budet hotel the hotels arte really easy to accsess and easy to book. Edinbourgh is an city which is mostly known for its countrey side and there are amny different ways to get around there on the visit london website there are naviagtions of getting around edinbourgh and also navigations about how to get around within edinbourgh there are maps and phone numbers for the toursts so they can accsess the information easlya nd they can plan there jurneys.the most used transport that is sued around edinbouirgh is foot most people prefer walking around edinbourgh however there are other forms of transport like cycling,buses and car hires all these are at an cheap price not to expensive There are many activites that are value for money and attractiosn that the couple could go to and not pay for and all of this activities are again found on the website the activites that they could do would be to vist the beaches or walk thorugh the hils or visit the parks and gardens or maybve the meusems or there are also the churches and catedrals however they are other activeities that may be just as fun where the couple may have to pay for like the edinbourgh zoo or thwre are castles,monetery history or they could vist an amazyinbg attraction called the real king marys close.shopping with in edinbourgh is at an whole different range there are street markets or they are the shopping malls loctaed all around edinbourgh. Custemer service ceneters are located all around the city there are spread out all around the city there are some in the bus and train stationa dn in the shopping centers they are there to help people who may be struggleing or they are lost ther is also accsess to languge books so if the couple have any troubles then they can look through the books and they can also get help there. On all fo the activites there is easy accsaess like less stairs or there are ramps or even lifets there is also different types of accsess for intace if  there was an person who needed something like if they were on an wheel chair then tehyw ould be able to ask the hotel and they would get it there is an link for accses on the vist scotland website. Costs London to edinbourgh on train is  £18.50 per person with is  £37.00 Acomadation 2 nighst 3 days  £120 Activities- £150 Food and drink  £100 Overall cost  £407 Belfast Belfast is located in ireland and is an small but an capital city the city is known all around the world for its amayzing fesivals its picturess senery Because belfast is na capital city there are many diffret websites that the couple could use for information such as the visit belfast webite which was created ansd funded by the government the webite is accurate and everything on the site can be trused so if the couple would like to pay for they holiday before they went to belfast they could trust the website completeley also with the visit belfast website the couple would not ned to use any other website because there is an navigation for everything such as accomadation thing sto do and about belfast the wevbbsite I seasy to navigate and is very easy to understand. Accomadation because belfasrt is not an very big cit they will be an good range however the range wont be as big as it would be in london or edinbourgh and the range they have there is something there for everybody there is the bed and breakfirt there are the romantic hotels and there is something to match everybodys budget.all the couple would have to do would be tio visit the website â€Å"visit belfast† as they can find the range of accomdation. Getting around belfats most people would tend to use foot and if the couple would want to walk around belfast then they would be an seris of maps that they could download and print out or if they would not prfer to wlk then they could go around by taxi or bus or if they would prefer to hire out there own car all they would need to would bring there valid driving licince. Because belfast is an capital city there are custemer service  centers located all around th ecity so if people are lost or in trouble or even want vbasic information they can go in to the custermer service centers however there is an alternative ther can ring the custermer service phone line which is 0 118 500 it also shows number for the emargency services. Things to do in belfast belfast is full of fun educatiinal and amazying things to do there are shopping centers maybe the best in the uk there are asttractions such as the titanic in belfast they have got the titanic tourss,titanic pump and the titanic boat trips abnd the titanic resturants this is all bcuase that’s whtas blefast is known for and its eductaional and intresting if th ecouple would want something different they have alwatys got there famous fesitvals that they could watch freom the free side.if the coupel are luking for an budget holiday they can click on the butten that would say budet and they would find all sorts off amazying activites and attracttiobns that they could do like the botanic gardons or the belfast zoo.food within belfast is one of th bes in the countrey there are resurants alll over there are budget resturants but also very well preserver historic howver they would be an bit expensive so the couple do have na range according to there budget. Costs Edinbourgh-belfast onplane is  £20 per person with is  £40.00 Acomadation 2 nighst 3 days  £100 Activities- £100 Food and drink  £150 Overall cost  £380.00 Vsist cardiff Wales Capital city youll find unique attractions, top class entertainment and quality shopping with a difference all within walking distance. Innovative architecture sits alongside historic buildings and Cardiff Bay offers entertainment for everyone. Information on Cardiff is very easy to find because eat is an capital city however not every website can be trusted therefore I have chosen to use one website why I know this website can be trusted because it is an website that Is funded by the government therefore the information is correct if the couple would want to plan their whole trip  they could use this whole website except for the travel which they would have to use an website such as easy jet or Thomas cook etc. The website is called visit Cardiff it is very easy to understand and easy to navigate Accommodation the accommodation range within Cardiff is very varied there are 5* or bed and breakfast there is again everything according to the couples budget the hotels can be found according to their star and the hotels are very easy to use and to book and again the website is very secure, however there is an smoking law where none of the couple if they do smoke cannot smoke within the hotel they will be an smoking shelter for them to smoke in. Travel-there is many ways to travel around Belfast there are coach’s buses. Trains walking and they can hire cars the travel system are all very easy and very easy to get hold of if the couple would choose to walk there are maps that they could download and use. There are tourist information centres all around the city so that if the couple so need anything they can drop in to the centres of course free of charge and ask the information about everything and anything there I also an number that the couple could save and whenever they need anything they can ring the number the customer service helpline is an 24 hour website and can be used by anybody .Another way they could get information is if they email the centre regarding any quires and the centre will get to back to the couple as soon as possible. Things to do in Cardiff there are many different places that they could visit in Cardiff and they would never be bored there are attractions for everybody and anybody. They could visit the Cardiff Bay is home to the new BBC Wales studios and is the filming location for Doctor Who, Casualty, Wizards vs Aliens Pobol y Cwm.or if they wanted to do some shopping they could visit the queens arcade this is an shopping centre famous all around the uk. Food places around the city are many there are expensive and cheap hotels they even hold the foodie events so people can try different foods from all around the world. Special offers or budget activities they can visit casinos or there are the sporting activities or even the wonderful castles that Cardiff has to offers so in the city there is something there for everyone and the couple would not get bored. Costs Belfast to cardiff onplane is  £30 per person with is  £60.00 Acomadation 2 nighst 3 days  £120 Activities- £80 Food and drink  £1400 Overall cost  £400 Overall cost for the couple to vsit the uk would be  £2362.50 this would inculde everything food activities travela nd accomadation. The couple from the use can come to UK to visit the main sporting even in the work the Olympics this is the ultimate sporting even that they would want to be a part of. There are man y different website about the Olympics that the group could use it’s an event for everybody and it is an event loved and visited by people from the whole world Information about London and the Olympics is very easy to find like anything that they would need the website that I have found and it is an very interesting website is the Olympics visitors guide on this website there is everything that the group could use to come to the uk and visit the uk however this is not only website there are much more website all they would need to type in would be London 2012 Olympics. Accommodation because this is an event from all around the world London tourist numbers will be at the highest there for accommodation may be difficult to find if it is left to last minute therefore booking in advance on websites wo uld be an good start the easiest and the most cheapest way that the group could accommodate would be if they rented out an house it would be an lot cheaper and it would be an lot closer to the Olympic park. Transport to get form the USA to the UK they would need to catch a plane witch would land in one of the airports. Getting around London is an little bot difficult because of all of the people it would be cheaper for the group to travel around London with either the tube or if they wanted to bus and to walk there is maps all around the city and also there is an virtual 3d map on the visit London website. Customer service there is customer service cabins all around the city and they will be more because of the Olympics it’s so easy to gather information and they could not have a problem with  the language anyways because they speak English Activates the main activity that they are going to do is visit the Olympics however in their spare time there is many different things within London so that they can do there are the nightclubs or there is historical attractions like the tower of London or they could go shopping to shops like Selfridges etc. there are food places spread all round the uk for the group to visit and they are some of the restaurants that are really cheap. Total cost per person 1 week flight from America to united kingdom  £1001 Group of 4 people would cost each person  £100 Olympic seats  £1500 Food- £150 Other activities  £100 Getting around  £150 Total cost  £3001 A family wanting to visit a theme park There are many different theme parks that the family could visit there is an whole verity like flamingo lad, Alton towers, pleasure land, Thorpe park and much much more. The theme park that I am going to chose is pleasure beach Blackpool. The reason why I have chosen pleasure beach Blackpool is because there is rides there for everybody there are rids for children and adult also there is a beach close by that they could visit Access to information is so easy the actual pleasure beach website is really good there is information about everything rides food places prices etc. Because the family are going for a day visit they would not need accommodation Transport there are many different ways of getting to Blackpool however because they live in the UK they are UK residents they may be a chance that they drive to Blackpool or if they want to they can get the train instead. Accessibly there is all of that around the park like push chairs so that parents could push their children around th ere are many different perks like being told in advance they can sort out extra attraction so there is something there for everybody. Customer service there is centres all around there is also some within the theme park and there is a big information centre at the entrance of the theme park where there is information about everything. Cost there are family tickets that would be available for the family to UK which would be a lot cheaper than the separate tickets  £64 There is many activates they can do with blackpoll as well as the rides there are activities that they can do like they can go to shows which are all so cheap and gift shops etc. or they can go out on to the beach which is free of cost and they would not be paying for anything at all. Total cost Travel  £50 Food  £50 Tickets  £64 Other costs  £100 Total Costs  £264 A couple who want a quite stay at a city Edinburgh Edinburgh is the the main capital city of scotland and is known for its amayzing senory and wonderfull countrey side is an tourist attraction that is normall like by maybe mnature people due to it being quite etc. To accsess information about edinbourgh there are so many sites and the sites are all very easy to navigate and there all really easy to acsess there is inofromation about everything on there like accomadation travel things to do etc one of the websites that I found very usefull and very easy to accsess was the vist edinbourgh website.on this website there was an navigation for everything and it was so eay to navigate there was also lots of pictures so we could see what the senery looks like. Becausde edinbourgh is an capital city and is very well known around the world there acomadation range is endless there is somethin there for everybody is ther couple wanted an romantic hotel or if they wanted an cheap budet hotel the hotels arte really easy to accsess and easy to book. Edinbourgh is an city which is mostly known for its countrey side and there  are amny different ways to get around there on the visit london website there are naviagtions of getting around edinbourgh and also navigations about how to get around within edinbourgh there are maps and phone numbers for the toursts so they can accsess the information easlya nd they can plan there jurneys.the most used transport that is sued around edinbouirgh is foot most people prefer walking around edinbourgh however there are other forms of transport like cycling,buses and car hires all these are at an cheap price not to expensive. There are many activites that are value for money and attractiosn that the couple could go to and not pay for and all of this activities are again found on the website the activites that they could do would be to vist the beaches or walk thorugh the hils or visit the parks and gardens or maybve the meusems or there are also the churches and catedrals however they are other activeities that may be just as fun where the couple may have to pay for like the edinbourgh zoo or thwre are castles,monetery history or they could vist an amazyinbg attraction called the real king marys close.shopping with in edinbourgh is at an whole different range there are street markets or they are the shopping malls loctaed all around edinbourgh. Custemer service ceneters are located all around the city there are spread out all around the city there are some in the bus and train stationa dn in the shopping centers they are there to help people who may be struggleing or they are lost ther is also accsess to languge books so if the couple have any troubles then they can look through the books and they can also get help there. On all fo the activites there is easy accsaess like less stairs or there are ramps or even lifets there is also different types of accsess for intace if there was an person who needed something like if they were on an wheel chair then tehyw ould be able to ask the hotel and they would get it there is an link for accses on the vist scotland website. Costs London to edinbourgh on train is  £18.50 per person with is  £37.00 Acomadation 1 week  £200 Activities- £150 Food and drink  £100 Overall cost  £487

Research On First Nations Addiction Sociology Essay

Research On First Nations Addiction Sociology Essay Addiction is the continued use of a mood altering substance or behavior despite adverse dependency consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors. Addictions can include, but are not limited to, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, exercise abuse, pornography and gambling. Classic hallmarks of addiction include: impaired control over substances/behavior, preoccupation with substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. The First Nation people in Canada or The Aboriginal tribe are found to have these addictive problems more when compared to other community in Canada and this has created a drastic change in the survival of their community. First Nations are the various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Metis. There are roughly 630 bands of first nation people spread across Canada, and the majority of them are found in Ontario and British Columbia. Under the Employment Equity Act, First Nations are a designated group along with women, visible minorities and persons with physical or mental disabilities. Founded in the 19th century, the Canadian Indian residential school system was intended to force the assimilation of Canadian Aboriginal and First Nations people into European-Canadian society. The purpose of the schools, which separated children from their families, has been described by commentators as killing the Indian in the child. Funded under the Indian Act by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, a branch of the federal government, the schools were run by churches of various denominations about 60% by Roman Catholics, and 30% by the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada, along with its pre-1925 predecessors, Presbyterian, Congregationalist and Methodist churches. The attempt to force assimilation involved punishing children for speaking their own languages or practicing their own faiths, leading to allegations in the 20th century of cultural genocide and ethnocide. There was widespread physical and sexual abuse. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and a lack of medical care led to high rates of tuberculosis, and death rates of up to 69%. Details of the mistreatment of students had been published numerous times throughout the 20th century, but following the closure of the schools in the 1960s, the work of indigenous activities and historians led to a change in the public perception of the residential school system, as well as official government apologies, and a (controversial) legal settlement. Colonization had a significant impact on First Nations diet and health. According to the historian Mary-Ellen Kelm, inadequate reserve allocations, restrictions on the food, fishery, overhunting, and over-trapping alienated First Nations from their traditional way of life, which undermined their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. First Nations peoples face a number of problems to a greater degree than Canadians overall, many of their living conditions are comparable to developing nations like Haiti. They have higher unemployment, rates of incarceration, substance abuse, health problems, fetal alcohol syndrome, lower levels of education and higher levels of poverty. Suicide rates are more than twice the sex-specific rate and also three times the age-specific rates of non-Aboriginal Canadians. Life expectancy at birth is significantly lower for First Nations babies than for babies in the Canadian population as a whole. As of 2001, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada estimates First Nations life expectancy to be 8.1 years shorter for males and 5.5 years shorter for females. Self-government has given chiefs and their councils powers which combine those of a province, school board, health board and municipality. Councils are also largely self-regulating regarding utilities, environmental protection, natural resources, building codes, etc. There is concern that this wide-ranging authority, concentrated in a single council, might be a cause of the dysfunctional governments experienced by many First Nations. Gangs consisting of Aboriginals are becoming an increasing problem, across Canada, due to the poor living conditions. Most of them are found in Winnipeg and Manitoba. One of the most acrimonious issues to result from the Treaty process is the dark legacy of the residential school system. The purpose of the residential schools in Canada was to educate and civilize or westernize the First Nation peoples in order that they adopt a more western that is European lifestyle. Separating the children from their parents and forcing religion on them, it was believed, was the only means by which to achieve this civilizing of the First Nations people. Residential Schools: The Legacy The story of and continuing debate around the topic of Residential Schools in Canada is highly contentious. The residential school experience continues to haunt First Nations peoples and, according to some, has led to a general indifference towards the education of many First Nations youth today. Many of the people who experienced a residential school education are now parents and grandparents and many possess deep biases against education for their children because of what they experienced. It is a difficult subject for many to understand because the residential school experience was not the same for everyone involved. Clearly, some schools were better maintained than others while some staff members more benevolent than others. Although a difficult subject to broach, the story of the residential schools has become an important part of not only First Nations history but of Canadian history. Separated from their family, friends, and in many cases the only home they had known, First Nations children were taken together, according to age level, to the residential school in the fall of each year. Once at the school, they were not permitted to speak their native tongue and the supervisors spoke only English to them, punishing them if they reverted to their own language. In many cases, the children knew nothing of the English language upon their arrival and this meant that many spent several years in silence until they were even able to express their needs. The school environment was a stark contrast to the home environment where aboriginal children were important contributing members of their family expected to help with the work of day to day life tending the nets, feeding the dogs, cutting and hauling wood, cutting up meat and fish for drying. The school demanded very little in comparison. A child had no responsibility for the well-being of others. At residential school, the aboriginal child became no ones keeper, not even his own as, in many cases, all movements were monitored and children were expected to adhere to strict guidelines of conduct. The schools were very difficult and lonely places for many children but they affected the entire family. If children returned home for the summer months in many cases, their parents found that they had significantly changed. They were no longer interested in helping the family with daily tasks and rather than spending time with their families, who were no doubt becoming more foreign each passing year, most preferred to spend time with children their own age who also attended residential school. Perhaps the most detrimental effect of the schools was the childrens loss of all ability to speak their own language effectively breaking the means of communication and traditional knowledge sharing between parents and their children. Furthermore children were taught at school that their culture was somehow inferior and not worth preserving. As a result, the residential school disrupted the passing of traditional beliefs, skills, and knowledge from one generation to the next, and deliberately separated the children from their heritage by encouraging them to resent it and embrace a more European outlook and belief system. While the cultural shock was immense without the residential schools, most First Nations youth would never have learned to read and write, or learn about the world and other ways of life. By the 1950s, the Canadian government began to realize the residential school policy was a failure. The last residential school in Canada was closed some 30 years later. Today, Aboriginal people want recognition of what was done to their communities as a result of the residential schools. Aboriginal people have demanded, and received, official apologies from the Anglican, United and Roman Catholic churches which operated residential schools. As more and more former students of residential schools come forth with stories about the sexual and physical abuse they experienced, several religious authorities who administered the schools are being charged criminally. Aboriginal Mental Health and Substance Use Aboriginal people make up only three per cent of Canadian citizens, but this population is one of the fastest growing in the country. It is also the youngest. The average age of Aboriginal people is 25. This is 10 years younger than the average age of the general population. There is great variety in languages, beliefs, traditions and cultures among Aboriginal peoples. In British Columbia alone there are 203 First Nations bands. About 30 different First Nations languages are spoken in this province. Unfortunately, there are also high rates of mental illness and problem substance use in some Aboriginal communities. This is due to a number of factors, including a history of cultural trauma. Still, a 2002-03 survey indicated that about 70 per cent of First Nations adults living on reserves felt in balance physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Also, Aboriginal people suffering from mental health problems have been shown to be more likely than the rest of Canadians to seek professional help (17 per cent as compared to eight per cent). This is a positive step towards healing for Aboriginal communities. The Rates of Mental Illness and Substance Use Problems among Aboriginals Aboriginal people have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than other groups: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢About 16 per cent have faced major depression, which is twice the Canadian average. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢More Aboriginal youth suffer from psychiatric problems than non-Aboriginal youth. Suicide is the leading cause of death among Aboriginal people under 44 years old: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Rates of completed suicide are higher among Aboriginal males than females and peak among young adults between the ages of 15 and 24. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢According to the Regional Health Survey in 2002-03, three in 10 adults (31 per cent) reported having had suicidal thoughts and one in six (16 per cent) had attempted suicide at some point in their lives. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Among First Nations communities, suicide rates are twice the national average, and show no signs of decreasing. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The rates among First Nations youth (between 15 and 24 years of age) were from five times (among boys) to seven times (among girls) higher than the Canadian population between 1989 and 1993. Aboriginal people are less likely to drink than the general population. Only 66 per cent of aboriginals drink alcohol. Still, among those who do drink, problem substance use is a serious concern: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢More than one quarter of Aboriginal Canadians have a substance use problem. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Aboriginals are more likely to smoke than people in the general population à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢First-time use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs tends to occur at younger ages in Aboriginal populations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Aboriginal youth are at a two-to-six times higher risk for every alcohol-related problem compared to other young people. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Aboriginal youth are more likely to smoke, use inhalants, and use marijuana regularly. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Substance use is a leading factor in teen pregnancy among Aboriginals. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Aboriginal women have higher rates of substance use during pregnancy than other women. This means they are more likely to have babies born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other problems. Why are the rates of mental illness and substance use so high among Aboriginals? A HISTORY OF ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION Aboriginal people in Canada have been treated unfairly for centuries. Until 1970, many Aboriginal children were forced to go to residential schools. At these schools their culture, language and dignity were taken away from them. Some were abused physically and sexually. Because of these attacks on identity and culture, Aboriginal students and their families found residential schools traumatic, even when school personnel were kind and educational benefits occurred. As a result, a high percentage of residential school survivors suffer from mental or behavioral problems. The last residential schools closed in the 1980s, but their effects can still be seen in Aboriginal families and communities. The trauma felt by students and their families has been passed down through successive generations. BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE There are many obstacles that stand between Aboriginal people and quality health care. Some of these include: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢lack of access to service à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢discrimination among health practitioners à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢lack of appropriate care à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢cultural barriers (i.e., lack of experience mixing traditional and modern medicine) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢geographic isolation A CYCLE OF DIFFICULT FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES Newer generations of Aboriginals are still at higher risk for mental health and substance use problems than the general population. This is partly because of the stress factors that continue to occur in many Aboriginal families. Oftentimes poverty, ill health, educational failure, family violence, problem substance use and other difficulties reinforce one another, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction and despair. 1. Early Childhood: Some Aboriginals live in overcrowded houses in isolated environments run by single parents who survive on very low income. As a result, some Aboriginal children fail to receive the attention they need to develop socially and emotionally. On reserves, there are often many generations living under one roof. In these situations children may be exposed to alcohol and other drug use from a young age. This puts them at higher risk for substance use in their teen years and later. Higher than average rates of family violence, including physical and sexual abuse, also put Aboriginals at higher risk for mental health and substance use problems. 2. Adolescence: Young Aboriginals are at high risk for harms caused by substance use. In comparison to youth of the general population, Aboriginal youth experience: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢more difficulties in school and higher high-school drop-out rates-this is often due to culture and language barriers. Some youth also experience discrimination from teachers and peers related to Aboriginal values à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢confused ethnic identity-it can be challenging for youth to identify with their heritage while being raised and educated in a non-Aboriginal society à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢lower self-esteem and self-confidence à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢higher rates of sexual abuse-especially among females (nearly one quarter of female sexual-assault victims are younger than seven) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢more psychiatric problems Unplanned teen pregnancy is an important factor that plays a role in the cycle of mental health and substance use problems among Aboriginals. Added to this issue is the fact that Aboriginal youth often start using drugs and alcohol to fit in with peers and boyfriends/girlfriends. Young women sometimes feel pressure to continue using substances after they become pregnant because they fear others will find out. This is one cause of the high rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Aboriginal population. These rates suggest that some young women are addicted to alcohol, or they may not understand the risks of using alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy. This is a big problem because many expectant teen mothers also have poor eating and exercising habits. All of these factors work together to create a high risk for delivering a child with problems. 3. Adulthood: Aboriginal women often have particularly stressful, hard lives because of physical abuse and a lack of support from their partners. Some use substances to manage stress or to cope with anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. Research has shown that there is a higher incidence of intimate partner abuse in Aboriginal communities than elsewhere. The use of substances by men has been shown to be an aggravating factor for violence within Aboriginal families. Some of the consequences of male violence against Aboriginal women include: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢diminished self-esteem and sense of security à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢damage to physical and emotional health à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢negative impact on children (nurturing a sense of fear and insecurity and the intergenerational perpetuation of the cycle of violence) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢negative impact on financial security à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢loss of matrimonial home and sometimes relocation outside the community à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢self-blame PROMOTION OF RESILIENCE IN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES It is important to note that some Aboriginal communities have fewer problems than others. There are indeed factors that serve to protect some First Nations people and communities from the cycle of difficulty. For example, in the past, Aboriginals had very strong cultural practices that promoted healthy connectedness and forms of conflict resolution that encouraged reconciliation. This and other similar strengths have helped Aboriginals to survive despite the great obstacles they have faced, and still face today. Some other examples of strengths include: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢the traditional value that is placed on sharing, humility and not hurting others à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢the value that is placed on cooperation and non-competition à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢the traditional value placed on community conscience and a shared sense of responsibility à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢a history of spirituality, religious practices and rituals à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢a deep-seated belief in living in harmony with the Earth and all other creatures Traditional strengths have sheltered some Aboriginal communities more than others. It is possible that these protective factors could be called upon to promote and assist the healing that is so needed today both within Aboriginal Communities and in Canadian society at large. Aboriginal people tend to consider mental wellness holistically. Good mental health means being in balance with family, community and the natural environment. Family and community have an important role in helping individuals regain their sense of balance. Therefore strong families and communities also promote resilience in Aboriginal communities. Why is it important to address mental health and substance use problems in Aboriginal populations? Social responsibility It is said that the measure of a civilized society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. Many Aboriginals are vulnerable and treated poorly. Canadian society needs to find ways to connect with all people who are struggling and help them overcome issues that challenge families and communities. At the same time, society must recognize that lasting healing for Aboriginal populations must come from within. Many of the difficulties Aboriginal people face today are a result of the contempt that was shown for their culture and identity in the past. Therefore, it is very important that healing processes for Aboriginal communities draw on and support the resilience embedded in traditional Aboriginal culture. Economics Canadas Aboriginal population is relatively small compared to the general population. Yet the problems and difficulties Aboriginals face are extreme, resulting in great expense to the whole country. A disproportionate number of Aboriginal people live in poverty, are homeless, or lack appropriate education. First Nations people experience more challenges related to FASD, trauma and other developmental factors. A disproportionate number of Aboriginals are incarcerated or involved with the justice system. High rates of mental problems and substance use among Aboriginals strain the health care system. All of these imbalances taken together with poor health, loss of productivity, lack of social cohesion and other problems add up to significant economic cost to society. A HEALTHIER FUTURE Aboriginal populations have unique patterns and consequences of mental illness and substance use. In order to address these, a wide range of cultural, environmental and historical factors must be considered. It is now widely accepted that psychosocial factors play an important role in individual and social development. A call has been made for the recognition of the influence of culture on health as well. When considering the substance use and mental health issues of Aboriginal people, it is important to acknowledge that Western culture has its own difficulties in these areas. Therefore the Western model may not be appropriate for Aboriginals. In addition, the influence of modern-day Western culture on Aboriginal populations may be seen as the root of some on-going substance use problems in these communities. It may be that taking part in the journey as Aboriginals rediscover and strengthen their communities based on certain traditional practices could actually help mainstream society to understand the importance of practices like connectedness and reconciliation in healing. This could help the general population to better deal with its own mental health and substance use problems. Adopt a culturally appropriate attitude Lessons from the work that has been done in healing related to residential schools should be remembered and used in the context of healing in Aboriginal communities. Some of the key findings in research done by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) around the healing from the legacy of residential schooling include: 1. Community healing is connected to individual healing. Rebuilding family and community support networks will help stabilize the healing of individuals have experienced childhood trauma and family disruption. 2. Culture is good medicine. Culture-based outreach and healing mediated by survivors, local personnel and Elders has proven successful in reaching individuals who had previously resisted interventions. 3. Resilience in individuals and communities can be tapped. Healthy individuals in distressed communities were found to be good at promoting change. 4. It takes time to heal. AHF funding was limited to a few years, which proved to be enough to get the healing process started in many of the communities where projects were conducted, but not enough to see complete healing. 5. Services must be put in place and kept in place to encourage individual healing and help communities with their healing journeys. Typically, programs are short-term and project- based, but research indicated that services using local capacity and Indigenous knowledge are effective and economical. 6. As individuals and communities heal, the depth and complexity of needs can be seen, creating generating demand for training. Some of the most successful activities conducted to date by the AHF include healing/talking circles, interacting with Elders, one-on-one counseling, and participating in ceremonies. Support sex education and contraception for teens If Aboriginal youth are not educated by their parents or schools, they learn about puberty, sex and relationships through their friends and the media. Education should be provided by both Elders and young First Nations role models who youth can relate to and trust. Many Aboriginal communities are isolated. This means that youth must travel to get to clinics for information, contraception, and counseling. Health services should be provided within communities and they must be confidential. Teens must feel sure that their use of such services will not result in labeling or negative judgment by others. Advocate for targeted, culturally relevant programs All programs that serve Aboriginal people should include screening for substance use and mental disorders. They should also target the communities most vulnerable citizens, like children and young women. Parent-education and family-support programs that are culturally sensitive could help lower violence and problem substance use. Programs for pregnant teens could feature cultural myths and be developed to focus on FASD prevention strategies. (Some studies show that Aboriginal youth are more likely to pay attention to cultural myths about the effects of eating strawberries or crabs during pregnancy than to avoid using drugs and alcohol. Adapting cultural myths to include warnings about drinking alcohol during pregnancy may help to reduce the risky behavior of pregnant teens.) We owe the Aboriginal peoples a debt that is four centuries old. It is their turn to become full partners in developing an even greater Canada. And the reconciliation required may be less a matter of legal texts than of attitudes of the heart. (http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Aboriginal_People/)

John Quincy Adams Essay -- Biography Biographies

John Quincy Adams John Quincy Adams was the only son of a president to become president. He had an impressive political background that began at the age of fourteen. He was an intelligent and industrious individual. He was a man of strong character and high principles. By all account, his presidency should have been a huge success, yet it wasn't. John Quincy Adams' presidency was frustrating and judged a failure because of the scandal, attached to his election, the pettiness of his political rivals, and his strong character. John Quincy Adams was born on July 1767, in Braintree Massachusetts. His parents were John and Abigail Adams. "Quincy, had every advantage as a youngster. At the time of his birth, his father was an increasingly admired and prospering lawyer, and his mother Abigail Smith Adams, was the daughter of an esteemed minister, whose wife's family combined two prestigious and influential lines, the Nortons and the Quincys. Accompanying his father on diplomatic missions in Europe, young John Quincy Adams received a splendid education at private schools in Paris, Leiden, and Amsterdam, early developing his penchant for omnivorous reading." He was able to speak several languages. At the age of fourteen, he was asked to serve as secretary and translator to Francis Dana, the first US ambassador to Russia. "Despite his age, young Adams was a valuable aid to the consul; he enjoyed Russia and the exposure to diplomatic circles." He later returned to the United States and attended Harvard. "He graduated in two years and entered the law offices of Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Passing the bar in 1790, he set up practice in Boston." In 1794 John began his long political career. George Washington appo... ...r the country realized his important contribution. " I should of been one of the greatest benefactors of my country.... But the connective power of mind was not conferred upon me but by my Maker, and I have not improved the scanty portions of His gifts as I might and ought to have done." His presidency was judged a failure due in a large part to the presidential scandal he seemed unable to overcome. His rivals were responsible for keeping it alive in everyone's minds. They never let the public forget his "Corrupt Bargain" with Clay. They also doomed almost every piece of important legislation he had tried to pass. Adams' own integrity allowed his rivals free reign. His own high standards about refusing to abuse his office resulted in his rivals retaining their positions of power. The scandal, political rivals, and his own integrity doomed his presidency to failure.

Invisable Man - Black Leaders Essay -- essays research papers

At the time that Ralph Ellison writes the novel The Invisible Man there were, as there are today, many ideas on how to improve the black mans status in a segregated nation. Marcus Garvey was a militant black nationalist leader who created a "Back to Africa" movement. On the other side was Booker T. Washington who preached for racial uplift through educational attainments and economic advancement. A man who strayed more on the middle path was W.E.B. Du Bois. He was less militant than Marcus Garvey but was more so than Booker T. Washington. Ellison uses characters from the novel to represent these men. Marcus Garvey is fictionalized as Ras the Exhorter. Booker T. Washington is given voice by the Reverend Barbee. W.E.B. Du Bois is never directly mentioned in the novel. However, the actions and thoughts of W.E.B. Du Bois are very similar to that of the narrator. While all three men were after the same dream they all went about making that dream reality in different ways. There are strengths and weakness that can be found in all three men’s philosophies. The most militant and extreme of the three was Garvey. Marcus Garvey was born Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. on August 17 1887, at Saint Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. He was the youngest of eleven children. His father, Malcus (Marcus) Mosiah Garvey, was a stonemason and his mother, Sarah Jane Richards, was a domestic servant and produce grower. He left school at the age of fourteen to serve as a printer’s apprentice. After completing his training he took a job with a printing company in Kingston. There he organized and led a strike for higher wages. He then traveled to Central and South America. He moved to London in 1912 and became interested in African history and culture. He returned to Jamaica two years later and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the African Communities League. The UNIA helped found the Black Muslim movement. In 1916 Garvey moved to the United States. He went to New York City and set up a branch of the UNIA and began a weekly newspaper called the Negro World. Garvey preached that blacks should be proud of who they are. He called for racial pride. Because of his persuasiveness and his eloquence people started to listen to Garvey. Blacks became proud of who they were. Booker T. Washington said to bow down to the whites and accept being inferior. When they hear... ...re they too subtle. Du Bois criticized Garvey’s black power movement and he looked down upon Booker for having such an emphasis on economic independence. Du Bois only fault, like Garvey, was in his belief in racial separation. He would not compromise with whites. During the civil rights movements, individuals and organizations challenged segregation and discrimination with a variety of activities. In the forefront of these movements were Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. Du Bois. All three of these men had a dream of equality; they lead the way for future leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Marcus Garvey preached for racial pride among his people and told them to return to Africa. Booker T. Washington told his followers to accept the status quo and improve themselves through hard work and economic independence. W.E.B. Du Bois told the black community to separate themselves from whites and to gain economic self-reliance. All three men went after the same goal; they just did it in their own ways. There is a thin line between doing nothing and doing too much Works Citied "Garvey, Marcus," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2000

Inside the Mind of a Victorian Policeman Essays -- Victorian Era

Devoid of the Domestic: Inside the Mind of a Victorian Policeman â€Å"For many early Victorians, policing was a new and low-status occupation. Few men became policeman for positive reasons" (Taylor 49). Construction of the Typical Police Officer Several criteria apply to the Victorian police officer: * Policemen were typically involved in trade and were part of the lower middle class o â€Å"In Staffordshire, miners, shoemakers, brickmakers, moulders, puddlers, potters, engine drivers and even a printer joined the force† (Taylor 48). o The occupational background of the police officer, while quite diverse, composed of a large portion of agricultural laborers (48). This is due to industrialization and mechanization of agriculture during the Victorian Era; fewer rural laborers were needed. * Policemen were typically young: â€Å"In the Metropolitan Police the mean age of recruits fell to twenty-four in 1850† (Taylor 49). * Policemen were typically single: â€Å"Many forces quite explicitly stated in their recuiting campaigns that married men need n...

Responsibilities and boundaries would as a teacher Essay

For obvious reasons, H&S Toolbox talks have to address current legislation and topics covered in relevant Approved Codes of Practice. Also, due to the practicalities of taking employees away from their normal activities, courses have to be relevant, concise and deliver results. It follows therefore that planning and delivery in my profession is key to successful training. Planning Roles & Responsibilities In order to achieve a professional delivery, I will discuss in advance with each learner their precise needs from the course. Some learners will be young and apprehensive, while others may be more mature and overconfident. The course content must cater for this diversity. The course needs to address business interests whilst covering topical subjects within each field of learning. A robust lesson Plan, with special emphasis on practical skills will therefore be fundamental. Each training session is divided into sections which discuss what is currently happening in industry (accident statistics), what legislation is currently in place to prevent these accidents, and what the learner must do to adhere to best practice. Boundaries Probably the greatest amount of effort is put into making sure a group of learners are available at a precise time on a precise day. Business needs change daily and I must always have a contingency. (Fewer learners, different venue, different day †¦..) A range of material is prepared in advance (hand-outs, PowerPoint presentations and quizzes) to help get the message across. Some courses require the use of the workshop and it is essential to ensure that the training needs can be accommodated in parallel with normal work activities. Delivery Roles & Responsibilities Courses must be interesting enough to stimulate interaction. A variety of training aids will be used to achieve this. Courses will be changed every 24 months to ensures learners do not have to endure the same dialogue, etc.  Delivery will be focused and effective. Interaction is a predominant feature of my courses and helps to stimulate group learning Hand-outs that require learners to fill in missing words or spot hazards are fundamental to most of my courses. These can be done individually or in groups to begin with. Boundaries Attitude is rarely a problem in my current role. Often, younger learners do not have the necessary skills or experience to be blasà © in front of others, and older learners are quite happy to share their experiences from the real world. Money and resources for materials are accounted for in my annual budget. Actual costs (learners time away from work) is always agreed by the line managers. Current guidelines on training frequency give added support to my cause! Assess Roles & Responsibilities Most of my courses use a multi-choice questionnaire for instant results. This omits the writing/spelling concerns that may blight an otherwise competent person – â€Å"you don’t need to be academically astute to be able to do the job safely†. Some courses require more interaction than others. It is important therefore to keep precise notes on a learners contribution and ultimately, on their ability to comprehend the subject being taught. Boundaries Marking multi-choice questionnaires is straight-forward and fair. If marked within the group environment, it gives a further chance to discuss ‘wrong answers’ Notes taken in the taught session can be used to consolidate marking criteria. On occasions, learners may pass a formal course test, but the teachers may have concerns about actual ability. This information may be used to develop additional training needs. Evaluate Roles & Responsibilities Feed-back forms are considered invaluable in my company although they are not considered mandatory. Always allow time at the end of a session for them to be filled in. Oral feed-back from my groups is always useful. It is important not to put anyone under the spot light. Solicitous questioning often pays dividends. Sometimes doing a covert audit (to see if learners are  doing what they have been taught) is a good way to see if the course ‘lesson’ has been ab sorbed. Boundaries It is important to recognise that no matter how good the training material is, there may be a need to modify it to cater for different abilities. Each time the training material is modified, there is a supposition that it will appeal to, and cater for, a more focused audience.