Family Violence Initiative

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

HISTORICAL LEGACY

Healing and Renewal of Family Roles and Responsibilities

Program Name:

Suqqakkut

Organization/Community:

Ilisaqsivik Society

Location:

Clyde River, Nunavut

Website:

www.ilisaqsivik.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To promote community wellness and sensitivity toward culture, reducing vulnerability to violence.

Target Group Description:

Open to everyone.

Program Description:

There are two centres. The first one, a family resource centre that offers one-stop shopping for clients, including: a community justice committee, access to Elders, diabetes program, access to land-based retreats, school breakfast program, and provides public service announcements for Health Canada and National Aboriginal Health. The second centre is a Society organization that was formed to address youth crime, suicide, and family violence. Elders and counsellors work together to promote healing and well being in clients accessing the services.

Program Successes/Impact:

Won Tides Canada Top 10 of 2011 for its programming initiatives - http://tidescanada.org/about/tides-top-10/tides-top-10-for-2011/ilisaqsivik/.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Available funding limits the number of permanent staff available from year to year which in turn affects the kind of services the program can offer in any given year.

Program in operation since:

1997.

Program:

Ongoing.