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FAIR AND SAFE PLAY... is a new concept designed to promote a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan children and youth. Several communities are experiencing problems and issues that seriously affect the standards by which we live. Communities are being challenged to resolve adolescent violence and rising crime rates among teens. As well, studies show that injuries, some of which result in fatalities, are far too prevalent among children and youth under the age of 20 years. Several causes of these injuries are directly related to recreational, sport and play activities
The health and safety of our communities must be paramount among the groups, organizations, institutions and, of course, families responsible for the nurturing and development of our young. Children and youth require a healthy lifestyle to develop and grow properly and must be given the opportunity to play with limited risk to personal health and safety.
An Interagency Committee for Fair & Safe Play has been established to assist communities in developing effective ways to promote fair & safe play for children, youth and families. The committee includes several provincial organizations and government departments: Saskatchewan Safety Council, Saskatchewan Institute for Prevention of Handicaps; Metis Nation of Saskatchewan; Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations; Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Association; Sask Sport Inc; Sport Medicine Council; Dr. Paul Schwann Applied Health & Research Centre, University of Regina; Saskatchewan Education; Saskatchewan Health; and Saskatchewan Municipal Government.
The Interagency Committee for Fair and Safe Play is working with a few selected communities to plan and undertake innovative approaches which will reduce injuries and promote fair play among children and youth. One community will be selected from each of the following categories: Northern; First Nations; Rural (<10,000 population); Urban (>10,000 population). The following definitions are being used as a basis to explain the concept of fair and safe play:
Play . . is the participation by children and youth in organized or unstructured sports and recreational activities during their leisure time.
Safe Play. . is the participation in activities which pose minimal or the least possible threat of harm or injury to the participant Health risks have been reduced.
Fair Play . . is all about respecting rules; respecting people in charge and their decisions; respecting those you are playing with; maintaining your self-control at all times; and everyone having an equal opportunity to participate.
Projects are to be short term and explore issues, raise awareness and develop strategies around:
a) accessibility of activities; b) wholesome, fair participant interaction while at play; reducing injuries and the risk factors associated with play.
Projects Will:
For more information contact: INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE for FAIR & SAFEPLAY c/o Art Lord, Saskatchewan Municipal Government, Culture, Recreation & Lotteries Branch, 122 - 3rd Avenue N., Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H6 (306-933-5743; fax 306-933-7720)
FAIR & SAFE PLAY
Approved Projects: Community of Ile-a-La-Crosse
The project goal is to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths presently being experienced by children and youth in Ille-a-la-Crosse and surrounding area. In collaboration with the New Careers Job Creation Program a coordinator will be hired for a six month period. The coordinator will initiate an awareness campaign on child and youth safety with the assistance of the steering committee and volunteers which will include the Friendship Centre Board and Staff.
The project coordinator will also plan and organize training sessions on first aid and CPR. This will be offered to as many community members as possible. Talking circles will be organized within the community to identify safety concerns and, in turn, to begin influencing changes to the current "accepted" practices of safety neglect. This will result in the passage of and enforcement of Bylaws on a number of safety issues by the Town Council.
Activities included but not limited to are:
The project is scheduled to begin on Monday February 2, 1998 and end on Friday July 31, 1998.
The target population will be children and youth ages 3 to 20 years in Ile-a-la-Crosse and surrounding area who are at risk of being involved in accidents causing injuries and deaths. The current population is 1600 with 90% being aboriginal.
The expected results are:
Statistics will be maintained and compared to previous years.
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