Executive Council
November 12, 2014
Supporting Aboriginal Women and Children
Provincial Government Announces Recipients of the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program
Ten new projects will receive Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants for 2014-15. The grants amount to a total investment of $200,000, which is provided annually to the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program through the Provincial Government’s Violence Prevention Initiative.
“The Provincial Government is committed to supporting the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and children, and the Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program is a demonstration of that continued commitment. By providing Aboriginal organizations and governments with project funding, we are encouraging the development of programs that address this violence and work to end it.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
The Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program provides support for the development of culturally-appropriate approaches to the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and is only available to Aboriginal organizations and governments in the province. The program also recognizes that Aboriginal women face violence and death from family violence at higher rates than women in the general population.
A variety of project activities are eligible to receive funding through the program, including the development of violence prevention action plans, 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, and improved cultural strength of Aboriginal communities. The program criteria are based on needs identified by Aboriginal women at various forums in the recent past. For a full list and descriptions of the 10 projects that are receiving grants this year, please see the backgrounder below.
“The innovative proposals received for the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants this year demonstrate a collaborative approach to helping end violence. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to support the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women, and we will continue to call upon the Federal Government to establish a national inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.”
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
Funding for the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program is made available through the Violence Prevention Initiative, an initiative in which the Provincial Government partners with community stakeholders to find long-term solutions to the issue of violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is providing $200,000 to support 10 projects under the Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program. Funding for the program is made available through the Violence Prevention Initiative.
- The Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program provides support for the development of culturally-appropriate approaches to the prevention of violence against Aboriginal women.
- Since 2005, the Provincial Government has invested over $1.5 million to support 102 anti-violence projects.
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Media contacts:
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Luke Joyce Director of Communications Department of Justice and Public Safety 709-729-6985, 725-4165 lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca |
Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1495, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Aboriginal Women’s Violence Prevention Grants Program Projects 2014-15
AnanauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Group
Like It Is: Realities of Violence and Prevention Efforts in Nunatsiavut
This violence prevention project is designed to scope out what violence prevention efforts have been made, and by whom, in each of the five Nunatsiavut communities; to gather, through teleconferences, the major players and build buy-in to working together; to talk with women in communities about their experiences and identify the dynamics that help keep the silence around violence; to talk with leaders in communities about their perspectives on how to move forward together to create happy and healthy communities without violence; and to create a summary report, including recommendations and next steps.
Grant awarded: $25,000
Flat Bay Band Inc.
A Better Place - The Seven Grandfather Teachings Film Series for Violence Prevention
A Better Place is an eight part short film series to help viewers understand the process of self-actualization and personal development through Mi’kmaq methodologies. In order to arrive at a better place, both spiritually and in society, individuals will learn to relinquish the ego and overcome personal traumas. To do this, the Seven Grandfather teachings model will be used. This is an ancient set of teachings of human conduct towards others which is typically passed on and tutored by Elders.
Grant awarded: $25,000
Miawpukek First Nation
Connecting Young Women: A Lunch and Learn Series
This project is designed to connect young women through the development and implementation of a lunch and learn series. This series will focus on culturally appropriate approaches to preventing violence against young Aboriginal women. Bridging the gap of past cultural activities and connecting young women to education and leadership is key to building community capacity. The project is a partnership with St. Anne’s School to help integrate and engage young women with resource people and supportive networks. The 10-week project will be implemented biweekly at St. Anne’s School and will target young women ages 12-18 (Grades 7-12). Presentations will focus on violence prevention, cultural knowledge, capacity building and holistic health.
Grant awarded: $8,000
NunatuKavut Community Council
NunatuKavut Traditional Craft Making
This project entails holding a three-day traditional craft making workshop. Depending on availability of participants, the workshop may be offered as evening sessions over a period of several weeks. This community-based project brings Elders and youth together through the provision of social activities, health-related awareness workshops and mentoring/craft-making opportunities. It is designed to enhance the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Elders and youth. The workshop will be open to youth ages 10 and up from across Labrador. Sessions will include violence prevention, illicit and prescription drug abuse prevention, physical activity, healthy eating and overall wellness.
Grant awarded: $25,000
St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
WE CAN (Women’s East Coast All Nations Circle)
This project will consist of three parts: special projects, regular activities and education activities. Special projects will include a culture retreat and a session entitled, Healing through Digital Storytelling. Regular activities include a sewing circle, co-ed organized sport, a play group, and a tea and sharing circle. Education activities will include both women's and men's violence prevention workshops.
Grant awarded: $15,000
Sheshatshiu Innu Health Commission
Suicide Prevention and Intervention Workshop
This project will enable four individuals to attend a suicide workshop in Montreal. In addition to addressing suicide prevention and intervention, the workshop will address the topics of addictions and violence. This will benefit the community as there have been a number of suicides in recent years.
Grant awarded: $10,000
Sheshatshiu Innu Health Commission
Innu Ishkeuet Healing Journey
This project will provide a week-long workshop and women’s gathering on violence prevention. The workshop will address the different types and forms of violence. Women participants will learn and teach each other and their families about all types of violence and abuse.
Grant awarded: $15,000
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network
Reclaiming Tradition: Protecting Our Future
This project has two components. The first involves building on past work to provide further Aboriginal Healing Circles in a total of seven communities: Port Saunders, Flat Bay, St. Georges, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove, and Grand Falls-Windsor. The second component consists of a series of six culturally-appropriate violence awareness and prevention workshops to be delivered to three communities on the Port au Port Peninsula; Port au Port East-West, Lourdes, and Cape St. George.
Grant awarded: $25,000
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Healing Waters: Needs Assessment
This project will implement a needs assessment to identify mental health and social needs. This work will encompass hiring an Aboriginal Wellness Researcher for 20 weeks to identify the mental health and social needs of band members by conducting a supplemental needs assessment and consulting with stakeholders in the western and central regions of the island portion of the province. The consultation work will focus on Aboriginal women and children, Aboriginal persons with disabilities and gender-based violence victims. The researcher will conduct interviews, surveys and symposiums to supplement data.
Grant awarded: $17,000
Mushuau Innu First Nation
Natuashish Women’s Shelter Violence Prevention Project
This project proposes to increase the capacity of the Natuashish Women’s Shelter by providing opportunities specifically for the capacity-building of staff, as well as outreach programs and services for the entire community. Community-based violence prevention initiatives will be developed and delivered from a population health perspective in a manner which ensures cultural competence and safety. In addition to the outreach component, the project will provide staff with an ability to participate in regional and provincial conferences, networking meetings and policy discussions.
Grant awarded: $25,000
2014 11 12 11:35 a.m.