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:

NAWN Train the Trainers Programme

Organization/Community:

NAWN (Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network)

Location:

Stephenville, Newfoundland

Website:

www.nawn-nf.com/

Goals and Objectives:

To respond to the needs of the community, by offering culturally-based training and information, education and support programs to address the changes they identify as being needed to reduce violence and increase safety.

Target Group Description:

Women

Program Description:

The program facilitates the development of women as leaders in the communities they are from. To do this the program uses tool kits from other organizations such as the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) "Youth Prevention Kit", and "The Healing Journey Family Violence Prevention in Aboriginal Communities" kit. Traditional Indigenous ways are the main tools used in the work and offer access to Elders who mediate talking circles, and conduct healing ceremonies such as sweat lodges. The Medicine Wheel teachings are used to identify what is needed to develop a healthy community. Graduates are supported in their outreach efforts to their communities to develop and foster traditional ways and activities.

Program Successes/Impact:

Learning cultural traditions. The development of supportive networks for women in communities.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Obtaining funding. Need to educate mainstream Canada on Aboriginal issues to build relationships based on understanding and not "myth".

Program in operation since:

2007.

Program:

Ongoing (if funding renewed in March 2012).