Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Changing Community Attitudes toward Violence

Program Name:

Bear Paw Legal Education and Resource Centre

Organization/Community:

Native Counselling Services of Alberta

Location:

Edmonton, Alberta

Website:

www.ncsa.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To help Aboriginal people navigate the legal system and gain awareness of their legal rights and responsibilities.

Target Group Description:

Aboriginal Communities.

Program Description:

Through workshops and educational materials, community resource information is provided that may help deal with some of the root causes of individual legal situations. There are also workshops designed to help parents in how to get out of abusive relationships while keeping the family intact, and parenting skills development. The program teaches clients through the Natural Law teachings of Aboriginal cultures along with documentary films about women leaving prison and rebuilding their lives, and survivor stories.

Program Successes/Impact:

Increasing legal knowledge and understanding of Alberta's Aboriginal people concerning their legal rights and responsibilities.

Key Lessons/ Challenges:

Accessing our target audience as a vulnerable population, as people in legal trouble often don't seek out resources and educational material.

Program in operation since:

2006.

Program:

Ongoing.