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:

Spa/Vision Night

Organization:

Charter Community of K'asho Got'ine

Location:

Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories

Target Group:

Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal girls of every age.

Contact Name:

Melinda Grandjambe Laboucan, Prenatal Coordinator

Phone:

867-598-2352

Email:

melinda.laboucan@fghband.com

Website:

N/A

Program Overview
History:

The Spa/Vision Night was started in 2009. As many as 26 women have attended. The size of the group is dependent on the amount of space available. At this time (January 2012) the space only allows for 10 participants.

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To build self esteem, confidence and positive self-care habits in women; to reduce the stress, sense of isolation and depression in women of the community; to educate girls, women and mothers about physical and mental health, parenting and healthy relationships; and to build positive supportive relationships amongst community women of every age, to reduce vulnerability to violence and abuse.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

Elders and youth are provided with a venue to build relationships and maintain cultural integrity.

Components of program:

The program seeks to bring the women of the community together in a safe, relaxed setting. It offers its services for one three hour session per week and provides workshops, videos and written material concerning self-care, parenting and healing. The program focuses on the physical, emotional and mental needs of participants through such activities as; foot spas, use of candles, essential oils (aromatherapy), clay facial masks, nail polish, relaxing music, healthy snacks, massages, positive affirmations, visualization exercises, sand self-affirming artistic projects. The program hosts a Facebook page as well as a community radio talk show concerning positive self-help topics.

Services/How they work:

Services are provided on site at the facility.

Funding:

Funding is provided by the Department of Health Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program; the Department of Education, Culture and Employment; and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

The Spa/Vision Night program is delivered by women who work with the Prenatal Nutrition Program in Fort Good Hope.

Partners:

N/A

Other relationships:

The Spa/Vision Night program works with the local health centre and other local and territorial service providers to locate guest speakers, videos, health equipment and resources.

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

No evaluation has been completed.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

N/A

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

Success is measured by the increased health and safety of the women and girls of the community. Success is also measured by the number of women/girls who attend the program each week.

Achievements:

The increased health and well being of community women and girls.

Challenges:

It has been difficult to locate a big enough space for this program to accommodate the services and activities that clients and staff are interested in adding to the program.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. It is financially feasible as it does not require a lot of overhead to start up. Keep the program alive throughout the week by hosting a Facebook page that everyone can access. Encourage people to post photos and videos there. Make sure it is a safe place for people to talk about things. The Spa/Vision Night program has helped the women in Fort Good Hope realize that they have to take care of themselves so they don't get stressed and sick. It is inspiring the teenage girls to give up smoking and all the women are now trying to exercise more.

Resources:

Adequate funding and sufficient space to operate out of are necessary to successfully implement the program.