Northwest BC Regional Gathering March 2011

Sharing, Gathering, Honouring: Increasing Safety for Aboriginal Women, Youth and Community

Community Coordination for Women's Safety (CCWS), in partnership with Northwest Community College (NWCC), organized a Regional Gathering in Terrace on March 17 & 18, 2011. The Gathering was held in the beautiful new Waap Galts'ap (community long house), with permission from the Laxgyibuu Clan of the Kitsumkalum Nation. Attended by more than 127 people, the Gathering was part of the Aboriginal Initiative that CCWS has undertaken in the Northwest region which has focused on strengthening collaborations and increasing capacity among Aboriginal communities, anti-violence services and coordination initiatives to address violence against Aboriginal women.

Participants included First Nations village leadership, band health, social and other services, urban Aboriginal services, mainstream anti-violence programs, and members of existing coordination initiatives on violence in relationships and sexual assault.

We would like to acknowledge that we were gathered on Laxgyibuu Clan Territory, Kitsumkalum Nation, and thank Laxgyibuu Clan Matriarch Vera Dudoward for giving permission for the gathering.

EVA BC and Community Coordination for Women's Safety gratefully acknowledge funding from the Department of Justice Canada and the BC Ministry for Public Safety and Solicitor General for supporting this important event.

Please Note: We apologize for the sound quality as the long house has magnificent high ceilings which make sound recording complex.

Keynote Speakers:

Justice and Healing on the Highway of Tears: Supporting Families and Communities ~ Brenda Wilson and Matilda Wilson - Brenda Wilson: Carrier Sekani Family Services, Highway of Tears Governing Body

Brenda Wilson is of Gitskan/Wetsuweten descent. Her father is the late Thomas Wilson of Hagwilget (Tsay Kva) and her mother is Matilda M. Wilson of Gitanmaxx (Hazelton). Brenda was born in Hazelton and moved to Smithers when she was 9 years old. She has 3 beautiful children and 3 beautiful grand children. Brenda graduated from the Human Service Worker program in 1991, studied Early Childhood Development and received a Diploma in 2009, and is presently studying Child and Youth Care to acquire a Bachelors Degree. Brenda's goal in life is to ensure answers are found in the unsolved murder cases in Northern BC. Brenda and her mother Matlida will share how they have been advocating for answers for 17 years, since their sister and daughter, Ramona, was murdered on June 11, 1994. Ramona's murderer has not been caught.

Finding My Voice as a First Nations Woman ~ Marilyn George - STV Outreach, Northern Society for Domestic Peace

Stopping the Violence (STV) Outreach Workers are part of a network of mainstream anti-violence services providing emotional and practical supports to victims across the province of BC. Marilyn George is a Gitxsan woman from Sikedakh (Glen Vowell) who works as an outreach worker at the Northern Society for Domestic Peace in Smithers. Marilyn will provide a unique and valuable perspective on violence against Aboriginal women, how services in mainstream organizations can work to build bridges with Aboriginal communities and services, and the larger picture of what is needed to improve the network of support and safety for Aboriginal women in BC.

Marilyn George is a First Nations Gitxsan woman, orginally from Hazelton area, but grew up in Terrace, BC. She is the Stopping the VIolence Outreach Service Worker at Northern Society for Domestic Peace in Smithers, and has enjoyed this position for 5 years. Marilyn brings approximately twelve years of frontline experience, working with women both on and off reserve.

Linking Literacy and Safety ~ Belinda LaCombe - STV Counsellor, Northern Society for Domestic Peace

Belinda LaCombe is a Métis woman originating from the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement in Alberta. Belinda is very active in her community and for the last five years has sat on the Bulkley Valley/Lakes District Domestic Violence Steering Committee. She has been the driving force behind Houston's newest non-profit organization Healthy Options for People and the Earth (HOPE) and has been instrumental in organizing Houston's Community for Coordination of Women's Safety committee. For the last six years she has worked part-time as a Stopping the Violence Counselor for Northern Society for Domestic Peace working with women who are, or have experienced domestic violence; as well as working as an Adult Literacy Practitioner/Instructor for Houston Link to Learning for the last twelve years. Over the last few years Belinda has been focused on recognizing the links between her literacy work and her anti-violence work and providing education around these issues to the community while being a voice for invisible and marginalized First Nations and Métis women both on and off reserve.

Willa de dim dills - The Way We Live ~ Ruby Morgan - Traditional Health Specialist

As health care and other workers, to do our job properly and effectively, our self-care should be directly proportionate to the number of clients and the degree of trauma. It is normal/natural to be impacted by any involvement in the work to end domestic and sexual violence, and traditional ideas of self-care are imperative to maintaining and building capacity in our communities. How do we live practical and healthy lives, and care for our families and communities? Following traditional healing systems as the determining structure that focuses on maintaining good health naturally, through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the foods we consume, our daily physical movement and activities, rest and sleep, and interactions with other people. It is how we live in our bodies on a daily basis, PREVENTION being the overall health plan.

Ruby Morgan is a Gitxsan woman from Gitwangak who has been giving Reiki treatments and teaching workshops across Canada, to First Nations communities and organization for the past 15 years. Ruby has given treatments and presented workshops at National Indian Residential School conferences, Positive Outreach (Hastings and Main), youth, cancer wards, people with HIV/AIDS, hospices, elders homes and hospitals across Canada. She has given Reiki treatments and taught Reiki workshops to many front line workers. As a Consultant in Traditional Health Governance, Ruby wants to impart her experience on this path and the fact that she brings forward the communities' traditional language, culture and healing. Supporting these traditional structures will ensure Traditional Health Governance is part of the planning process, along with economic development and education, and that the protection, conservation and restoration of Indigenous land, culture and food systems are promoted.

Resurgence of Aboriginal Men as Protectors: Overcoming the Violence in Aboriginal Communities ~ Mavis Erickson and Paul Michel - Mavis Erickson: Lawyer and Coordinator for the Carrier Sekani Family Service's Highway of Tears: Missing and Murdered Woman Initiative and Paul Michel: First Nations Director at the University of Northen British Columbia

The authentic role of Aboriginal men is one of peacekeeper and protector of women and children. This powerful and dynamic presentation stresses the key responsibility of Aboriginal men to help end the epidemic of violence by upholding their traditional roles as "Protector" and shedding dysfunctional roles as "Abuser."

Mavis A. Erickson, a Dakelh (Carrier First Nation) lawyer, is currently with Wagstaffe and Gosh law firm in Prince George. Mavis is the volunteer coordinator for the Highway of Tears: Missing and Murdered Woman Initiative through Carrier Sekani Family Services. She is working on the Aboriginal Liaison Contract with the Ending Violence Association of BC's Community Coordination for Women's Safety Program. In addition, she has taught two First Nation Studies law courses at the University of Northern British Columbia. Mavis has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition, Mavis has a Masters Degree in Law from Harvard Law School. Mavis was born and raised in Fort St. James in her traditional territory of Nak'azdli. Mavis is the daugher of Louis Erickson and Sally Prince. Mavis and her children (Soo Yinka, Darcy and Jessica) are members of the frog clan. Recently, she was the Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief for six years and she provided excellent and traditional leadership. In her studies at Harvard Law School, Mavis wrote about the protection of Dakelhne Women Rights. Her thesis entitled, "Don't Ever Think of a Woman as Being a Woman", honours the words of her elder Bernadette Rosetti. The thesis itself chronicles the strength, passion, and gifts of First Nations women. Mavis continues to provide inspiration and guidance to many First Nation community members.

Paul F. Michel, a Secwepmc (Shuswap) educator, is currently the First Nations Director at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). He is also an adjunct Professor for the First Nations Studies Program. Paul F. Michel has his Bachelor of Arts Degree (Sociology) and his Masters Degree in Education, both from Simon Fraser University. Paul shares his Secwepmc traditions in many ways: he tells oral history stories; he drums and sings traditional songs; and he instructs and plays Lahal (a First Nations Game). His message for educators is that First Nations traditional wisdoms can merge with contemporary educational curricula in unique, dynamic, powerful and healing ways.

A Process To End Violence Against Aboriginal Women: Learning from Ontario ~ Terry Swan - Aboriginal Healing Wellness Strategy Program Manger, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres

In 2007 the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres and the Ontario Native Women's Associatioin released the Strategic Framework to End Violence Agasint Aboriginal Women. It has since been endorsed by the MétisNation of Ontario and 12 Independent First Nations. A brief discussion will share the process of engagement with relevant stakeholders all dedicated to ending violence against Aboriginal women, and the government of Ontario's response.

Terry Swan is a Cree Salteaux woman of the Fish Clan originating from Cold Lake First Nation in Alberta. She brings over 20 years experience in the area of family violence prevention, education and healing initiatives within Aboriginal communities. She is currently employed as the Aboriginal Healing WEllness Strategy Program Manager at the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. In this capacity she oversees over 70 community-based family violence programs across the Province of Ontario.

Health Collaboration on Violence Against Aboriginal Women ~ Larinda Swain - Aboriginal Health Program, BC Women's Hospital

This presentation is focused on work to improve access to health services for Aboriginal women throughout BC through the lens of the Aboriginal Health Program at BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre. The focus is on providing outreach women's clinics, educational workshops, and training for nurses and community health workers who work in the Aboriginal community.

Lerinda Swain's family ancestry comes from the Cree Nation of Norway House, Manitoba. Since graduating in 1988, Lerinda has worked in a variety of different health related specialities. Presently working with the Aboriginal Health Program, her goal is to improve access to health services for Aboriginal women throughout BC by providing outreach women's clinics, educational workshops, and training for nurses and community health workers who work in the Aboriginal community. Lerinda has been involved with many committees that improve health for Aboriginal women, including provincial, national and international Aboriginal organizations.

Accountability for Violence: Guiding Principles for Interventions to Increase Safety ~ Ninu Kang - Director of Family Programs, MOSAIC

This presentation focuses on the principles that are the foundation for work to end the use of violence in relationships. First developed in 1989 by the Association of Counsellors of Abusive Men, these principles focus on safety, respect and dignity, community responsibility, competency and the belief in human potential. The provision of effective accessible and ethical services to people who use violence against their partners is an essential part of our coordinated response to domestic violence.

Ninu Kang has worked in the anti-violence movement for the past 20 years. She has worked with immigrant women who have experienced abuse by providing counselling, support and advocacy. In the last 15 years, she has worked with abusive men from the South Asian community by providing group treatment. Ninu brings a unique perspective to the issue of interventions with people who use violence in their relationships, both from her practical experience, as well as her work with the (now dissolved) Ending Relationship Abuse Society of BC. ERA's vision was to contribute to stopping violence in relationships through province-wide provision of effective, accesible, ethical services for individuals who have used abuse in relationships. Ninu has been involved in various community development and policy change processes. She has provided training in the areas of men's treatment, cultural competency and racism.

Other Resources

Increasing Safety for Aboriginal Women: Key Themes and Resources

In 2010 and 2011, the Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) increased its focus on safety for Aboriginal women in our Community Coordination for Women's Safety (CCWS) program, holding discussions in community groups and a regional gathering in Northwest BC in March 2011.

Many concerns about violence and ideas about increasing safety were raised in these discussions by people in Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal services, mainstream services, and coordination committees on sexual and domestic violence.

This tool is one of the outcomes of these discussions. It identifies:

Key Themes from Community and Regional Discussions
Leadership and Services that May be Able to Help
Selected Resources

Download file (pdf)