Starting a Group with Indigenous Fathers and Male Caregivers

This four-week, intensive workshop hosted by the BC Council for Families provides a comprehensive blueprint for launching a sustainable men’s wellness group rooted in the S’ólh Shxwlehlá:m (Seven Sto:lo Laws of Life).

Over the course of four two-hour sessions, participants will learn to weave the sacred principles of Generations, Health, Compassion, Happiness, Humility, Forgiveness and Understanding into a modern peer-support framework for Indigenous fathers.

We will explore how to facilitate decolonized spaces where these laws serve as the foundation for emotional healing, cultural reclamation, and paternal resilience. By the end of the program, attendees will have a practical roadmap for leading their own circles, ensuring that ancestral wisdom remains the guiding force in strengthening the roles of fathers within the community.

About The Facilitators

Jonny Williams Xotxwes is from the Cheam First Nation which is located in the Sto:lo territory and is the father of four children. His experience is with ages from daycare to university teaching the Halq’emeylem language and culture for over 23 years. Jonny has experience working with high risk youth and with men who have been incarcerated and moved into treatment.

Dave Rader (Shxwliyemsthom) has a 45-year history in Human Services. He has worked alongside Indigenous leaders and community members in BC for about 30 years. He enjoys teaching and facilitating in person and online and has been a part of creating and facilitating wellness groups for men for many years. He has the privilege of carrying the Halq'emeylem name “Shxwliyemsthom” given to him by Sto:lo Elders around twenty years ago. The name means “likes to make people laugh”, so he enjoys using humour to make classes more fun. He also has a BS degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Education to bolster his knowledge of the principles of adult education.