Bii-Zin-Da-De-Dah
Listening to One Another
What is BZDDD?
Bii-Zin-Da-De-Dah (Listening to One Another) is a culturally specific, family-centered, alcohol and drug prevention program for Anishinabe communities. The curriculum centers on strengthening family interactions. The activities during the 14 sessions teach parenting skills, social skills, refusal skills, and coping mechanisms.
The cultural emphasis of each session encourages respect for traditional values and helps to connect the generations through active participation of community Elders, parents, and youth.
Program History
Bii-Zin-Da-De-Dah was the first American Indian adaptation of the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (now called the Strengthening Families Program). This program has been developed and adapted in partnership with multiple Anishinabe communities over a span of 13 years and is currently the center piece of a National Canadian Mental Health Promotion Program funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. It has been adapted for eight cultures and translated into French in a recent implementation in Canada.
Program Goal
The goal of this family program is to prevent or delay the onset of alcohol and drug use among Anishinabe youth. The curriculum utilizes the traditional teachings of Anishinabe Elders and ancestors as tools toward achieving this goal. The program’s focus is on utilizing traditional culture, ideals, morals, values, and knowledge to offer healthy alternatives to unhealthy behaviors.
Minobimaadiziwin “A Good Way of Life” is a continuing theme of the program. The curriculum highlights the aspects of a “good way of life” and what that means to Anishinabe people. The sessions are designed to provide a framework for participants to strengthen their cultural identities and to promote community wellness through the teachings and practices of traditional Anishinabe ways.
Families
In order to promote the well-being of youth we believe we must work with the family as a whole. For this reason, we think it is important to encourage the involvement of youth as well as their parents, grandparents and other family members.
During the program, parents and children participate together in family group activities as well as in separate activities. This allows us to have age-appropriate curriculum for the youth and allows the adults to share with each other about parenting questions.
Topics & Objectives
The 14 session curriculum is designed to provide a full spectrum of visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning experiences: fun activities, talking circles, videos, puppet shows and artistic crafts are integrated to expand the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and cultural growth of families.
At the end of the 14 sessions, the program closes with a graduation celebration. The celebration reinforces what the participants have learned about to strengthening their sense of community and self-worth through expanding their cultural identity and understanding of traditional values.
Seven Sacred Values
The animals on this page represent the Seven Sacred Values:
The Turtle represents Truth;
The Wolf represents Humility;
The Eagle represents Love;
The Bison represents Respect;
The Bear represents Bravery;
The Raven represents Honesty; &
The Beaver represents Wisdom.
