Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Healthy Relationships: Children and Youth

Program Name:

Butterfly Club

Organization/Community:

Kanikanichikh

Location:

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Website:

www.www.kanikanichihk.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To support girls in creating a positive sense of self-identity and help them develop the tools and skills needed to build positive relationships, succeed academically and become more knowledgeable about their culture, reducing vulnerability to violence and abuse. Target Group Description: Aboriginal girls (Ages 9 – 13)

Program Description:

The program runs as a weekly 2 hour meeting that focuses on cultural activities (such as pipe ceremony and smudging), academic lessons, and workshops to help build self awareness. The program offers access to Elders and the counsel and teachings they can provide. One aspect of the program focuses on having the girls obtain powwow regalia so that they can maintain their connections and relationships with the other girls over the summer among the powwow communities. Many of the participants have had their Naming ceremony to help them discover more about themselves and to enhance their own sense of self and self worth.

Program Successes/Impact:

Participants maintain connections with the program even after graduating from it. Graduates of program have become role models to others.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Obtaining funding. Limited space available. Sometimes different programs have to use the same space at the same time which can make it difficult for the groups to focus.

Program in operation since:

2009.

Program:

Ongoing.