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NLIS 1 December 8, 2005 (Executive Council) Funding for violence prevention projects Aboriginal women and children Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, announced today funding for eight projects, approximately $80,000 in total, that will help prevent violence against women and children of Aboriginal ancestry and provide services to victims of violence in their communities. "Women and children of Aboriginal ancestry face more violence in their homes and communities than women and children in the general population," said Minister Burke. "Projects and programs created and run by women living in these communities are essential to building a better quality of life for them and their families." The projects address priority issues identified by women. Seven organizations will run the various projects in 11 communities across the province, including Nain, Hopedale, Sheshatshiu, Makkovik, Rigolet, Postville, Northwest River, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Conne River, Stephenville and St. John�s. The projects include public awareness and education, counseling, violence prevention training for community members and service providers, and early violence prevention programs aimed at children and youth. "Ensuring that there are culturally-appropriate services and programs for Aboriginal women is very important if we are to address violence in our communities," said Myrtle Banfield, executive director of the St. John's Native Friendship Centre. "These projects will help address gaps in services for Aboriginal women and children." "The process for accessing the funding was very flexible and allowed groups such as ours to identify our own needs and to develop creative ways to meet these needs," said Michelle Kinney, deputy minister of Health and Social Development, Nunatsiavut Government. "This is very important for Aboriginal communities because we believe that the best approach to addressing violence is to focus on the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. Healthy people build healthier relationships and make healthier choices." At the end of each of the projects, information about the successes and lessons learned will be shared with other communities to help build a bank of promising approaches to addressing violence against women and children. "There is a great need for governments to work with women to help make their communities a safer place to live," said Minister Burke. "I am pleased to work with these exceptional women to help develop solutions that work." Funding for the projects was earmarked in Budget 2005 and is part of the Newfoundland and Labrador government-wide Violence Prevention Initiative. In addition, the Premier and Minister Burke recently met with representative Aboriginal women in preparation for the Meeting of First Ministers and Aboriginal Leaders and presented a cheque for $70,000 to the Hopedale Women�s Shelter. For more information on the Violence Prevention Initiative visit www.gov.nl.ca/vpi Media contact:
Backgrounder
Funding from the Violence Prevention Initiative will enable the group to facilitate a five-week addictions program within the community. In the past individuals have had to leave to community to receive treatment. This was difficult, especially for women, to leave their families for this length of time. Social issues in the community of Hopedale are well documented and include: family violence, child abuse/neglect, alcohol abuse, FASD and poverty. By having a treatment program available in the community women and men will have an opportunity to address their own issues and begin making appropriate lifestyle changes. Aboriginal Women�s Retreat on Violence Prevention This project aims to increase awareness of violence among Innu women. The retreat, which will be held in the Lobstick Family Treatment Camp, will train frontline workers, Band employees and other women from the community on the different kinds of violence, signs and symptoms of violence and how and where to get help when they are in a violent situation. Walking the Prevention Circle for Aboriginal Women and Children Train individuals into the community that action can work to prevent abuse and neglect at the individual, organizational and community levels. Eighteen participants from local Bands will receive the three-day training regarding the different types of abuse and neglect, their indicators and effects on children, and the actions that can work to prevent abuse and neglect at individual, organizational and community levels. Each participant will also receive a comprehensive manual and video resource for future use in their communities. Creating a Place to Hear our Women and Children With the support from the Violence Prevention Initiative, this group will be able to create an accessible space to implement programming to support violence prevention in Aboriginal women and children. The space will provide a place for a community support worker to meet with youth, provide programming and support for victims of abuse or violent crimes. It will also provide a safe, supervised environment for parent, child and youth interaction, and provide an opportunity for community education. Labrador Metis Nation � Violence Prevention Project This project focuses on the development of early violence prevention strategies and programs. The project will promote wellness programs and activities that support violence prevention through printed materials such as brochures, pamphlets, and other such communications mechanisms. Violence Prevention for Aboriginal Women and Children To educate, counsel and provide information to Aboriginal women and children residing in urban areas, as well as Shawnadithit Shelter clients, regarding the issues surrounding violence and violence prevention for Aboriginal women in their communities. The project will aim to help these individuals as they deal with theses issues while living in and around St. John�s. In addition, because these services and programs will be made available to shelter clients who reside in rural areas, the reach of this project will also be spread to remote communities where the need is equally great. Healing and Training for Shelter Staff Given the isolation of this community, staff members at the Transition House do not often have the opportunity to receive training and support for the often traumatic events they are witness to. This project will provide counseling, training and self-help planning for staff at the Transition House, and training on counseling victims of family violence. Boys to Men Project Often family violence prevention initiatives focus on empowering girls and women so that they are able to make positive choices or are able to leave abusive, unhealthy relationships. However, in an ideal world there would be no abuse to leave. This project is aimed at male youths and providing them with messages about pride in themselves, respect for others, responsibility and healthy relationships. The program will be delivered in seven communities. 2005 12 08 10:10 a.m.
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