Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Raising Awareness in the Broader Community

Program Name:

Domestic Violence Training

Organization/Community:

Equay-wuk Women's Group

Location:

Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Website:

www.equaywuk.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To increase awareness of domestic violence in remote First Nations communities.

Target Group Description:

First Nations women (18 and over), Youth (18 – 29).

Program Description:

The program provides information sessions to communities. A Community Declaration for First Nations communities was developed, specifically to get Chiefs and Councils involved in becoming 'violence free'. Sometimes, workshops are called Healthy Communities\Healthy Nations. Participants watch videos that detail what violence does to children. Resources are given to communities and to community workers to do workshop sessions. Many communities have radio stations and the program utilizes that medium of communication to read out scripts. Sometimes, people call in to talk. The program provides resources and some are translated into the language. Booklets are also translated. The information is on family violence; what it is and what kind of help is available. The program is holistic and is applicable to the whole family.

Program Successes/Impact:

Achieving the representation of women in Chief's Council meetings.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Travel costs are a huge challenge.

Program in operation since:

1989.

Program:

Ongoing.