The Friendship Underground Project
Sponsor: Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association and Warriors Against Violence Society
The Friendship Underground Project will offer workshops on the creative elements of hip hop culture including two for breakdancing, and others reflecting other elements of hip hop including graffiti, creative writing, spoken word, hip hop dance and turntabling to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in the East Vancouver neighbourhoods.
The focus of this project is to create a healthy environment for Aboriginal youth who are marginalized to participate and express themselves to develop self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership qualities. This youth appealing project is a healthy alternative for Aboriginal youth between the ages of 13-25. Using the successful youth-driven strategy “for youth by youth”, this project services the overwhelming demand from Aboriginal youth for this contemporary style of expression.
Two Aboriginal youth mentors will work with the Break dance instructor to engage youth in the workshops. Youth mentors will engage in several leadership skill development opportunities that will build community capacity.
The Friendship Underground Project will be an extension and expansion of the existing break dancing classes at the Friendship Center hosted by Warriors Against Violence Youth Program and Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association.
Breakdancing and hip hop culture are extremely influential amongst youth and in particular First Nations youth. With the encouragement of self-expression through words, music, movement and art, the impact of hip hop programming has potential to be very empowering.
Breakdancing challenges ones physical, mental, emotional and spiritual capacities and encourages constant growth and learning through self-expression. It has obvious physical challenges to it, where it improves his or her strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, agility, and endurance. It demands mental discipline to stay healthy and determined to keep learning new movements and development of a style. Breakdancing allows for emotional development as youth gain confidence in their skills and style. In addition, recognizing the connection between mind and body and tapping into that creative process reveals the existence of the spiritual element of hip hop.
Contact Information
- Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association
Contact: Kelly L’Hirondelle
kaya_advocates@shaw.ca
- Warriors Against Violence Society
Contact: John Kramer or Kelly Balon
604.254.1333
- Youth Representatives
Contact: Curtis or Jenny
» See a video on the Friendship Underground project
[top]