Family Violence Initiative

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

ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES

Healing and Reintegration of Offenders

Program Name:

Waseya Holistic Healing Program

Organization/Community:

Waseskun Healing Centre

Location:

Saint-Alphonse- Rodriquez, Quebec

Website:

www.waseskun.net

Goals and Objectives:

To facilitate the holistic healing of Aboriginal offenders who have committed violent acts and foster their successful re-entry into their families, communities and Nations.

Target Group Description:

Men (18 – 69 years of age)

Program Description:

The program looks at particular behaviours and why they are violent and helps them to change those behaviours. Residents are assigned to specific work groups that are identified as being needed through the client's healing plan. The work groups consist of: power, control and healthy relationships, addictive behaviours and their underlying causes, communication and anger management, intensive family therapy, traditions and culture and spirituality. There is a strong cultural component to the program that offers ceremony and teachings for the residents to learn valuable skills that may be applicable to employment skills and life lessons such as patience, respect, taking turns, tolerance of others, etc. Participants gain pride in their heritage, community, and their part in the Medicine Wheel.

Program Successes/Impact:

Successfully reintegrating clients with their families and communities.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

The program's 6 month duration is not long enough for some clients to learn how to overcome their destructive behaviours.

Program in operation since:

1988.

Program:

Ongoing.