Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Support Networks for the Families of Missing and/or Murdered Aboriginal Women

Program Name:

Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik (Women Walking Together)

Organization/Community:

Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik

Location:

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Website:

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5646182010#!/group.php?gid=5646182010&v=wall

Goals and Objectives:

To create awareness, and keep the memory alive, of missing or murdered Aboriginal women.

Target Group Description:

Everyone.

Program Description:

The program seeks to support families of victims by providing a forum through which the victim's families can share their struggles and stories with the community. This increases awareness and empathy toward the issue of violence against women. The group organizes vigils, walks, and fundraisers. The group also attempts to gain media attention and public service announcements to increase public awareness of the issue of Aboriginal women going missing and being murdered. The group acknowledges the varied cultural ways of the families and when necessary offers tobacco, food or gift exchange for services rendered as well as support for the hosting of families (travel expenses and food).

Program Successes/Impact:

The numbers of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Saskatoon have decreased. Providing a support network to families of victims.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Having no funding (purely volunteer organization) makes it difficult to help more families or provide compensation to those who do the work.

Program in operation since:

2005.

Program:

Ongoing.