Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #08-172
July 11, 2008
Prevention of Violence Against Aboriginal Women Funding Announced
WHITEHORSE – The government will provide funding for six community-based projects that will help prevent violence against Aboriginal women, Marian C. Horne, minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate, announced.
“Reducing the incidence of violence against Aboriginal women continues to be a priority for the Yukon government,” Horne said. “These projects will assist in supporting Aboriginal women in developing culturally sensitive approaches that meaningfully address the needs of each unique community.”
The Prevention of Violence Against Aboriginal Women Fund allocates $100,000 yearly to programs and events designed and developed by Aboriginal women for their communities. Since 2004, the Women’s Directorate has contributed approximately $500,000 towards projects.
“Assistance through this fund will help establish support networks and community relationships to assist women who experience violence,” said May Bolton with the Margaret Thomson Centre. “It will also help dissuade men who perpetrate violence through teaching them new ways of managing grief and living respectfully.”
The following six groups received funding for the 2008–09 fiscal year. Amounts have been rounded off.
| Kluane First Nation Kwanlin Dun First Nation Margaret Thomson Centre Northern Tutchone Tribal Council Selkirk First Nation Skookum Jim Friendship Centre |
$18,700 $10,217 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $10,000 |
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Contact:
| Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications 867-633-7961 matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca |
Brenda Barnes Communications, Women’s Directorate 867-667-8269 brenda.barnes@gov.yk.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Stronger Together – Weaving Women’s Strength: Kluane First Nation Health and Social
Two wellness retreats and one awareness workshop for women will focus on self-exploration and violence prevention with the assistance of counsellors and the RCMP. Women will also meet weekly for support through circle discussion to work on sewing, beading, scrapbooking and to create a community quilt for celebrations and potlatches. Contact Shelley Halvorson at 841-4616.
Retreat on Wellness and Prevention of Violence Against Women: Kwanlin Dun First Nation Justice and Community Wellness
A three-day retreat at Jackson Lake, featuring guest speaker Patti Bland from Juneau, will provide instruction on safety planning, building healthy boundaries and keeping children safe with the assistance of Victim Services/Family Violence Prevention Unit, the Yukon Women’s Transition Home and the RCMP. Contact either Bev Miller or Glenna Tetlichi at 668-7289.
Promoting Dignity, Safety and Respect for Aboriginal Women Through Community Talking Circles: Margaret Thomson Centre
Three one-day community workshops will raise awareness about the social harm caused when Aboriginal women are hurt. Three separate workshops will include one for men on traditional Kaska/Dene teachings, facilitated by Lloyd Caesar and Bruce Williams at Sixty Mile Fish Camp, one for women and men facilitated by Dr. Catherine Richardson and Dr. Allan Wade at Coffee Lake exploring lateral violence and respect, and one for both men and women featuring talking circles at the Medicine Wheel gathering at Ross River. Contact May Bolton at 969-2722.
Phase III: Women’s Empowerment and Safety Program: Northern Tutchone Tribal Council
NTC will host a retreat for women from Mayo, Pelly and Carmacks at NTC Cultural/Treatment Centre at Tatla’mun Lake facilitated by Nina Bolton and Dr. Bill Stewart as a follow up to Phase I offered in March 2008 in Carmacks and Phase II (above). Programming will be designed based on evaluations from the 70 women who attended Phase I and the outcomes of Phase II. Contact Lois Joe at 537-3821.
Phase II: Women’s Empowerment and Safety Program: Selkirk First Nation
A three-day retreat facilitated by Nina Bolton and Dr. Bill Stewart at Minto Landing for up to 50 women from Pelly, Carmacks and Mayo with a schedule of workshops addressing traditional parenting, healthy family life, building healthy communities, healthy relationships in marriage, managing emotions, addictions, self-care and recovering from trauma. Contact Lucy McGinty at 537-3331.
I Change Myself – I Change the World: Skookum Jim Friendship Centre
A series of eight workshops/gatherings each for two days will focus on self-awareness, healthy relationships, self-care, healthy sexuality, cycle of violence and gender violence, traditional healing methods and reclaiming of cultural identity. Participants will design and create a campaign to educate others about violence and develop a plan of action around the Sisters in Spirit Vigil (October 4), the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6) and International Women’s Day (March 8). Contact Viola Papequash at 633-7863.