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Executive Council
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
October 15, 2010

Funding Provided for Violence Prevention Work
in Aboriginal Communities in Labrador

Ten Labrador-based projects focused on violence prevention in Aboriginal communities are receiving a total of $131,000 from the Provincial Government this year.

"The Provincial Government is strongly committed to the violence prevention work being done in all areas of the province but particularly to our Aboriginal communities in Labrador," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. "The great work being done at the community level is a testament to how important the issue of the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and children is, and how vital it is we continue to support it through the grants program."

The Aboriginal Violence Prevention Grants Program, available through the Provincial Government's Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI), awards grants to address issues of violence against Aboriginal women and children. Funding this year will support the Mushuau Innu First Nation by enhancing the resources and programs available through the Natuashish Women's Shelter. This includes outreach programs, networking opportunities, community-based violence prevention initiatives and investment in a Violence Outreach Worker.

Another organization receiving funding is Ananaukatiget Tumingit's Community Craft project. This program will reinforce the native tradition of craft-making for women in a supportive atmosphere where participants can also improve their confidence and self-esteem and learn or enhance essential skills to be economically self-sufficient. For a full list of projects funded, please see backgrounder below.

"Education and awareness are key in turning the tide on violence towards women and children in Aboriginal communities throughout our province," said the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "By providing this funding, the Williams Government is empowering Aboriginal leaders and organizations to address violence issues within their respective communities. By working together with groups such as these, we are steadily working towards putting an end to violence against women and children throughout the province."

The Provincial Government has made the Aboriginal Violence Prevention Grants Program available through the VPI for six years. To date 53 projects have been funded to address issues of violence against Aboriginal women and children at the community level.

Grants are awarded based on criteria developed from needs identified by Aboriginal women at the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Summit in 2007. These criteria include a focus on violence prevention plans of action, public awareness and education materials or activities, healing programs, improved programs and services at shelters for Aboriginal women, the development of Aboriginal women's leadership, economic or educational capacity, and the improved cultural strength of Aboriginal communities.

The VPI is a six-year, multi-departmental, government-community partnership to find long-term solutions to violence against those most at risk. The initiative involves 11 government departments and agencies and over 30 community partners including a Community Advisory Committee and 10 Regional Coordinating Committees Against Violence. For more information, visit www.gov.nl.ca/vpi.

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Media contacts:

Melissa MacLeod
Communications Specialist
Women's Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-7938
melissamacleod@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674,
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

 BACKGROUNDER
Aboriginal Women's Violence Prevention Grants 2010: Labrador

Nunatsiavut Government
Aboriginal Women for Tomorrow Workshops
The Nunatsiavut government will host a series of workshops in Nain designed to empower Aboriginal women by building leadership skills and fostering greater participation in their communities. Workshop topics will include building personal skills, communication skills, budgeting and financial management. The workshops will be delivered using a culturally sensitive approach to engage Aboriginal women through training especially designed for Aboriginal women.
Grant awarded: $11,275

Sexual Assault Service Provider Training and Community Information Session
The Nunatsiavut government will offer service provider training and a community information session in Hopedale about sexual assault in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre.
Grant awarded: $4,435

Women's History Month Promotion
The Nunatsiavut government will work to aid in the promotion of understanding the realities of Inuit women's lives and the unique challenges they face, including the ongoing struggle to eliminate violence in their communities. Activities include the development of a culturally relevant poster with Inuit women, an essay contest with topics related to Inuit women, violence prevention and history, and a photo contest with different themes.
Grant awarded: $1,290

Ananaukatiget Tumingit
AGM Participation
Ananaukatiget Tumingit will send two women to participate in an AGM in Hopedale. The goal is for these women to continue involvement with Inuit women in the region to create a stronger voice for Inuit women against such issues as violence.
Grant awarded: $10,000

Office Supplies
Ananaukatiget Tumingit will provide the coordinator with the necessary tools to effectively fulfill the organization's mandate, which includes violence prevention.
Grant awarded: $2,000

Community Craft Project
Ananaukatiget Tumingit will host community craft projects held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nain, Rigolet, Hopedale, Postville, and Makkovik with local craft instructors meeting twice a week for four weeks. This project will allow women to participate in the traditional activity of craft-making in a safe and supportive atmosphere. It is anticipated that this knowledge will enhance women's skills, thereby increasing their self-esteem as well as their ability to provide economic security.
Grant awarded: $9,000

NunatuKavut Community Council Inc.
NunatuKavut Women's Empowerment Retreat
NunatuKavut Community Council Inc. will host a two-day women's workshop for 15-20 participants to include day and evening sessions in southern Labrador. These women will be given tools to enhance self-confidence, leadership and conflict resolution, integrating cultural aspects into the sessions. Project partners include the Southern Labrador Family Resource centres, Violence Prevention Labrador, Mokami Status of Women, Libra House, Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority and the Community Youth Network.
Grant awarded: $23,000

Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation
Innu Ishkueut Healing Journey
This annual week-long gathering will take place in St. Augustine, Quebec. Innu women have first-hand information about preventing violence in a home situation. All workshops are related to anti-violence and addictions.
Grant awarded: $15,000

Mushuau Innu First Nation
Natuashish Women's Shelter Violence Prevention Enhancement Project
The Mushuau Innu First Nation plans to increase the capacity of their women's shelter by providing training opportunities for staff and outreach programs for the community. Staff will also participate in building community-based violence prevention initiatives, regional and provincial conferences, networking meetings, and policy discussions. The project proposes to invest in a Violence Outreach Worker position within the Safehouse team.
Grant awarded: $30,000

Hopedale Women's Shelter
Project Upgrades / Salaries
The Hopedale Women's Centre will provide training for staff and board members to be properly trained to deal with issues that abused women may face. The shelter is aiming to build capacity in order to offer programs on violence, child abuse, mental health issues, and building self-esteem for local women and children, as well as bring awareness to the public on issues associated with violence.
Grant awarded: $25,000

2010 10 15                                                11:05 a.m.
 


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