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:

Wahbung Abinoonjiiag Inc.

Organization/Community:

Wahbung Abinoonjiiag Inc.

Location:

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Website:

www.wahbung.org

Goals and Objectives:

To empower children and families to break the cycle of violence through holistic healing.

Target Group Description:

Women and children

Program Description:

Offers three core program sessions running twice a week for ten week durations. Children's program: incorporates attachment and trauma theories that strengthen the families' social skills. Youth Program: Focuses on cultural teachings, healthy social interaction, self-identity and fostering normal development. Woman's program: Provides information, support and advocacy. Fosters the creation of a healing/sharing network among clientele. All programs are based on the Medicine Wheel teachings. The four sessions offered each year are attached to the four directions of the Medicine Wheel.

Program Successes/Impact:

Graduates of the one year program can return and facilitate new groups in the program.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Transience of clientele. Difficulty in procuring core funding.

Program in operation since:

1994.

Program:

Ongoing.