Funding Provided to Combat Violence in Aboriginal Communities

Executive Council
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
December 21, 2007
Funding Provided to Combat Violence in Aboriginal Communities

Nine new projects to address violence against Aboriginal women and children have been funded through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Violence Prevention Initiative. The projects, totaling $200,000, will provide funding to Aboriginal governments and organizations.

Project funding was increased to $200,000 annually in Budget 2007. Criteria for the grants were also expanded to encompass projects that could address recommendations that came out of the National Aboriginal Women�s Summit that took place from June 20-22, 2007 in Corner Brook.

Key recommendations from the summit include increasing financial resources for family violence initiatives and abuse prevention programs and recognizing traditional ways to invest in improving the lives of Aboriginal Women.

"This is the third year that the Williams Government has provided funding for the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and children and provided services to victims of violence in their communities," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and Lead Minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative. "Providing funding to help raise education and awareness of violence prevention is a positive step towards creating safer communities."

In December 2005, and again in August 2006, funding for a total of 16 projects was given to various Aboriginal organizations throughout the province. The projects included public awareness and education, counseling, violence prevention training for community members and service providers, and early violence prevention programs aimed at children and youth.

This year�s projects will run in Conne River, Sheshatshui, North West River, Nain, St. John�s, Stephenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Corner Brook. Projects are being delivered with the help of a number of groups including the Status of Women Office of the Nunatsiavut Government and the St. John�s Native Friendship Centre.

"We must put an end to violence against women and children. The nine new projects announced today will give Aboriginal women the opportunity to provide valuable input into programs that will educate communities about violence against women and children," said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "Every step forward, every story shared, brings meaningful assistance to our stand against violence throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

The Violence Prevention Initiative is a six-year comprehensive plan of action and investment of $9.2-million by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to increase government and community capacity to achieve, in the long-term, a reduction in violence against women, children and youth, Aboriginal women and children, seniors, persons with disabilities and others who are victims of violence.

For more information on the Violence Prevention Initiative please visit www.gov.nl.ca/vpi

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Media contacts:

Michelle Hynes
Communications and Policy Analyst
Women�s Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-2125
michellehynes@gov.nl.ca

John Tompkins
Communications Director
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Newfoundland and Labrador Aboriginal Violence Prevention Fund 2007

Conne River Health and Social Services Centre:
Miawpukek Mi�kamawey Mawi�omi Sharing our Wisdom
Sharing our Wisdom will support older adults and Aboriginal women by creating a meeting room for members of Miawpukek First Nation (MFN). The room will provide support to Aboriginal women in a safe and non-threatening environment.

Family Resource Centre, North West River:
Supporting Families towards a Healthy Future
The Family Resource Centre will hold a community retreat to discuss addictions, teenage pregnancy, fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, parenting skills, low self-esteem and suicide. The retreat will promote existing health programs, healing strategies, and reconnecting with the Innu culture. This retreat will help the community identify challenges and steps toward creating a healthy future.

Nunatsiavut Government, Nain:
Nunatsiavut Women�s Retreat
The Nunatsiavut Women�s Retreat will encourage women to speak about their personal experiences with violence. Participants will learn ways of addressing violence in their own lives, and how to support other women experiencing violence. It will also focus on the traditional Inuit way of life.

St. John�s Native Friendship Centre, St. John�s:
The Shanawdithit Shelter Violence Prevention Program
St. John�s Native Friendship Centre will implement a violence prevention program for urban Aboriginal women and children in St. John�s. A main goal of the project is to provide safety and protection to Aboriginal women and children fleeing family violence. During the project staff will participate in professional development training including crisis intervention and conflict resolution.

Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation, Sheshatshiu:
Violence Prevention and Cultural Awareness Workshop
This four day workshop is dedicated to violence prevention awareness and will explore the different types of violence and community violence prevention resources. This will allow more women to report violence and educate youth about violence prevention and awareness.

The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women�s Network, Stephenville:
Breaking Barriers Building Strong Minds
Breaking Barriers; Building Strong Minds is a three phase project. Phase I of the project will deal with research and the compilation of data, during which thousands of Aboriginal women will have the opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns, and personal experiences with violence, racism, and factors that help prevent the cycle of abuse.

Labrador M�tis Nation, Happy Valley-Goose Bay:
Labrador M�tis Nation � Violence Prevention Phase lll
This project will consist of two community workshops held in Labrador. One session, Prevention in Motion, define the different types of abuse and neglect, indicators and the effects on children and youth. The other workshop is called Not Just Puppy Love which will help adults recognize the serious effects of youth relationship violence.

The Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Corner Brook:
Mi�Kmaq Health and Cultural Ethics Development
This project will focus on researching health and cultural ethics along with other current provincial health programs in order to develop an ethics code for the Mi�Kmaq people.

Nunatsiavut Government, Nain:
Anti-Violence Posters
The Status of Women office of the Nunatsiavut Government has requested funding to contribute to the design, production, printing, and distribution of anti-violence posters to be displayed throughout the Nunatsiavut region.

2007 12 21 10:40 a.m.

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