Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Family Violence Interventions

Program name:

Circling Buffalo Program

Organization:

Manitoba First Nations Board for Family Violence Prevention

Location:

Erickson, Manitoba

Target Group:

Everyone.

Contact Name:

Clarice Wilson, FVP Regional Coordinator for Manitoba First Nations

Phone:

204-636-2180

Email:

youthhealing@hotmail.com

Website:

www.mfnfvp.ca

Program Overview
History:

The board was formed in November, 2008 through the support of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Manitoba Region and the Social Development Advisors Technical Group. It was founded to help First Nations communities access AANDC's Family Violence Prevention funding.

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To allow Manitoba First Nations greater control over development of family violence prevention initiatives in First Nations communities in Manitoba and to foster and maintain partnerships with relevant organizations in Manitoba and across Canada to further reduce family violence in Manitoba First Nations.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

The board of the program bases all decisions on Indigenous teachings and traditions of sharing and caring.

Components of program:

The program supports First Nations wishing to apply for AANDC's Family Violence Prevention funding. The program connects First Nations reserves to potential partners, supports and resources. The program also works with the communities to respond to needs regarding family violence. It creates awareness campaigns via the internet. The program has also helped to develop the Manitoba First Nations family violence prevention strategy.

Services/How they work:

The program operates as a networking service.

Funding:

Funding is received from AANDC Manitoba Region.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

The communities make up a percentage of the board's membership, acting as the program's community contact base to provide leadership, direction, decision making and feedback to help improve services.

Partners:

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, AANDC, Shelter Networking Group, Manitoba Family Violence Prevention Program (Government of MB), Manitoba Tribal Councils.

Other relationships:

N/A

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

An evaluation was completed in 2009.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

The report was not made available publicly, and no specific results can be provided.

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

Success is measured against final reports, conferences, evaluation forms and telephone/emails inquiring about awareness campaigns

Achievements:

Helping First Nations communities successfully access yearly funding. Heading a successful awareness campaign that has resulted in expanding the available resources offered to clients.

Challenges:

Family Violence prevention efforts on-reserve would be better supported through a Manitoba Family Violence prevention strategic framework. Full-time efforts are required and human resources are needed to lead this process.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. Other provinces could replicate the FVP Board and its Regional Coordinator. This could be done through partnerships with AANDC at the different regions. This could increase the level of family violence prevention efforts in other First Nations communities.

Resources:

Staffing and funding to run the program would be essential to its success. Provincial support and mandates would also greatly increase the program's effectiveness.