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
Healthy Relationships: Women
- Program name:
Aboriginal Women Reclaiming Our Power
- Organization:
Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.
- Location:
Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Target Group:
Aboriginal women who have experienced violence.
- Contact Name:
Shannon Cormier, Program Coordinator
- Phone:
204-953-5820
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The program is a three year pilot project that is up for review in March of 2012.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To address the issue of broad based violence against Aboriginal women using culturally relevant practices and approaches; to reawaken the uniquely natural leadership gifts, powers, and knowledge each woman has; to increase women's ability to affect change personally and within their families and communities; and to significantly influence a shift from violence to harmony.
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
"Moon Voices: Our Time to Lead" is a 13 week Advanced Leadership Learning Circle utilizing a hands-on combination of traditional teachings, popular education, demonstrative learning and knowledge sharing to support Aboriginal women ready to advance their leadership journey; create a stronger sense of self (in a leadership role); and influence positive change personally and within their families and communities. The Moon Voices Leadership Learning Circle is built on "stepping stones to success" with the graduates from one session becoming peer helpers for the next session, and then peer mentors and finally peer facilitators. The "Reclaiming Our Sacredness Curriculum" is designed to mobilize women to positively influence other women in reclaiming their sacredness. The model is based on traditional knowledge about promoting change through training individuals and groups, who, in turn, then form their own group(s) to continue the process of change.
- Components of program:
The program is designed to empower Aboriginal women by having them participate in leadership courses based on Aboriginal traditional teachings. These programs gradually increase responsibility of clients in becoming peer helpers, mentors and then facilitators of the programs, encouraging clients to take those skills out into the world and form their own support groups. The program also offers monthly cultural gatherings, four seasonal gatherings, leadership development workshops for girls, and an active database of Elders and traditional healers. It is a program that focuses on information sharing and partnership development.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided on site at the facility.
- Funding:
Funding is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage; and the Department of the Status of Women Canada.
Relationships and Stakeholders
- Involvement of Target Groups:
The women are invited to provide input and feedback about the programming.
- Partners:
Institute for Women's and Gender Studies, University of Winnipeg; and the West Central Women's Resource Centre
- Other relationships:
N/A
Details of Program Evaluation
- Evaluation:
An evaluation has been completed.
- 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 by the number of participants attending the programs; and individual participants' self-reflective assessments.
- Achievements:
Clients were invited to Women's World in Ottawa to present the program to interested parties. Created a curriculum called "Restoring Our Sacredness" used for "train the trainer"
- Challenges:
Managing with limited resources.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. No advice given.
- Resources:
Sufficient funding, staff and facility space are needed to ensure program success.
- Date modified: