Family Violence Initiative

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

HISTORICAL LEGACY

Residential School Healing

Program Name:

Warrior Programs

Organization/Community:

Native Counselling Services of Alberta

Location:

Edmonton, Alberta

Website:

www.ncsa.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To assist Aboriginal people who struggle with violent behaviour to understand the cycle of violence, and how historic trauma, personal trauma, childhood experiences and grief and loss have shaped their behaviour.

Target Group Description:

Men, women, youth.

Program Description:

The program seeks to help participants connect to their own healing journey; to help the process of decolonization, and provide an opportunity to learn the teachings of natural law. The program enables participants to understand where their violence comes from, their role as victim and perpetrator, and how to take responsibility for their behaviour. The process is founded upon ceremony and teachings provided by traditional Elders and also includes western modes of therapy wherever appropriate. It involves 75 sessions and takes 6 – 10 weeks to complete.

Program Successes/Impact:

Successfully trained dozens of Aboriginal organizations across the country in facilitating the healing process.

Key Lessons/ Challenges:

Helping mainstream society understand the importance of having Aboriginal people help Aboriginal people using Aboriginal values and processes.

Program in operation since:

1995.

Program:

Ongoing.