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:

Family Violence Component

Organization:

Onen'to:kon Treatment Services

Location:

Kanehsatake, Quebec

Target Group:

Male and Female clients.

Contact Name:

Mavis Etienne, Clinical Supervisor

Phone:

450-479-8353

Email:

N/A

Website:

www.onentokon.com

Program Overview
History:

N/A

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To develop skills in women to deal positively with potentially abusive relationships through the incorporation of traditional teachings; and to incorporate traditional teachings especially the value of respect, to reduce vulnerability to violence and abuse.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

The cultural component of the program is a set of traditional activities that seek to integrate traditional Native practices and the twelve-step model of the AA program of recovery, which includes: traditional ceremonies, Native languages, bead/craft work, traditional foods, drumming and traditional music.

Components of program:

The program lasts six (6) weeks, follows the AA 12 steps approach, and includes traditional practices of healing. It rests on the belief that self-help comes from helping others. The program includes individual counselling, group therapy, lectures, and films; it also includes participation in Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous meetings and in cultural activities. The program incorporates relaxation, occupational, social and recreational therapy.

Services/How they work:

Services are provided on site at the facility.

Funding:

Funding is received by the Department of Health Canada's National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

N/A

Partners:

N/A

Other relationships:

N/A

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

No evaluation has been completed.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

N/A

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

Success is measured against clients making positive and healthy life choices.

Achievements:

Women realizing that they do not have to stay in abusive relationships and successfully choosing positive ways of addressing that situation.

Challenges:

The program is too short (6 weeks) to meet many of the needs of the clients.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. No advice given.

Resources:

Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.