Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Healthy Relationships: Women

Program Name:

Family Violence Component

Organization/Community:

Onen'to:kon Treatment Services

Location:

Kanehsatake, Quebec

Website:

www.onentokon.com

Goals and Objectives:

To develop skills in women to reduce their vulnerability to violence and abuse by addressing potentially abusive relationships through the incorporation of Traditional teachings.

Target Group Description:

Male and Female clients.

Program Description:

The program lasts six (6) weeks, follows the AA 12 steps approach, and includes traditional practices of healing. It rests on the belief that self-help comes from helping others. The program includes individual counselling, group therapy, lectures, and films; it also includes participation in Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous meetings and in cultural activities. The program incorporates relaxation, occupational, social and recreational therapy. The cultural component of the program is a set of traditional activities that seek to integrate traditional Native practices and the twelve-step model of the AA program of recovery, which includes: traditional ceremonies, Native languages, bead/craft work, traditional foods, drumming and traditional music.

Program Successes/Impact:

Women realizing that they do not have to stay in abusive relationships and successfully choosing positive means to address that situation.

Key Lesson/ Challenge:

The program is too short (6 weeks) to successfully meet the needs of many of the clients.

Program in operation since:

2002.

Program:

Ongoing.