POST-MAJORITY

Ohpikowin Program

The Post Majority Program was developed by the Federal Government to provide support services to children aging out of care at 18 up until the end of the 25th birth date. 

In 2024 Onion Lake introduced the Ohpikowin Program which would offer support services to children in care as a way to help prepare them before they age out of care.  The intent is to ensure children are given all the life skills they require to reach every milestone there is for them to achieve.  

Ohpikowin is the Cree word for the “act of growing up” and is a natural order of nehiyaw-ayisiyiniw pimatisiwin – Cree persons way of life.  There was no age appropriateness attached to the Cree way of life. While First Nations never aged out, “the law taught to all citizens of the nehiyaw nations from cradle to death; their responsibilities do not end when their child reaches a certain age. It is a lifelong responsibility.” (Saysewahum, 2015, p. 19). 

Onion Lake Ohpikowin Program aims to help children, youth at all stages of their lives.

Support Services

Post-majority support services aim to support the safety and well-being of First Nations youth and young adults in a way that is:

  • culturally appropriate
  • in their self-identified best interest
  • provided on the basis of substantive equality

 

The goal of post-majority support services is to provide wrap-around support that meets the distinct needs of First Nations youth and young adults and promotes and supports holistic positive outcomes for thriving youth and young adults.

Supports could include help with:

  • housing
  • food
  • employment and financial security
  • mental health, wellness, and addiction supports
  • healthy relationships