Yéil Koowú Shaawát (Raven Tail Woman) Curriculum

The program’s value to its participants was seen in the fact that, despite the need to shift to virtual facilitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance levels were high and remained stable through all of the curriculum’s phases, with overall attendance averaging 70%–80% across them. The findings of the initial evaluation, conducted in part as a Talking Circle with participants and community members, indicated that the women reported improved emotional self-awareness, self-efficacy, coping skills, and communication skills; experienced healing through strengthened cultural identity and connection to cultural values; and experienced heightened empathy and an increased ability to trust and forgive themselves and others. In addition, participants noted that YKS promotes resilience and healing of intergenerational and historic trauma and contributed to the acquisition of healthy parenting skills and behaviors.