Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Raising Awareness in the Broader Community

Program Name:

Child and Youth Program

Organization/Community:

Ganohkwasra

Location:

Ohsweken, Ontario

Website:

www.ganohkwasra.ca

Goals and Objectives:

To provide, through a non-profit charitable organization, for the stabilization, maintenance, revitalization and enhancement of the family structure in a culturally sensitive manner.

Target Group Description:

Aboriginal children and youth.

Program Description:

The program uses play therapy, outings, puppetry, art therapy, sand play, reality therapy/choice therapy, Reiki, Brain Game activities, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and individual/group counselling. The program addresses witnessing violence, separation and divorce and bullying. Both bullies and bullied children enter the program (some through school referrals). Traditional Haudenosaunee teachings are central to all counselling. Children are asked what weapons they want to bury (sweating, hitting etc) like ancestors did under the tree of peace. Everything has a Haudenosaunee perspective. Modern techniques are all adapted to culture. For example, children are taught about Hiawatha and the bear growls during program time to illustrate how to release fear in a safe, therapeutic way.

Program Successes/Impact:

The children who have been through this program find their voice.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Long client waiting list to access programming. Limited funding. Difficulty in getting some parents involved in the program.

Program in operation since:

1989.

Program:

Ongoing.