Family Violence Initiative
COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS
HISTORICAL LEGACY
Healing and Renewal of Family Roles and Responsibilities
- Program name:
Family Healing and Wellness Centre
- Organization:
Temagami First Nation Band Council
- Location:
Bear Island, Ontario
- Target Group:
Everyone.
- Contact Name:
Tammi McKenzie, Executive Director of Family Healing and Wellness Centre
- Phone:
N/A
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The Centre was established in 1995 as an emergency shelter for women. After averaging approximately six clients per year it was decided that the program could better service the community by closing the shelter and offering other client and community-based services. The program is currently in this transition phase.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To address family violence issues, improve Aboriginal health, and promote collaboration and integration of programs and services.
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
Each staff member is responsible for ensuring the incorporation of Temagami culture in their activities. The Medicine Wheel is used as a model of service. Monthly dinners include a sharing circle which often includes a topic for discussion, women's gatherings, pipe ceremonies and sweats. Temagami culture is tied closely to the land so activities that help connect people to the land are encouraged in all four seasons. Activities may include hunting, camping, fishing etc.
- Components of program:
The Family Healing and Wellness Centre utilizes the Medicine Wheel to address the issue of violence from a holistic perspective. They believe that addressing the needs of the family is as important as addressing the needs of the individual as a method of harm reduction. They address these needs by offering services such as: supporting recreation activities such as men's hockey, arranging monthly grocery shopping trips, assisting with legal issues, assisting with after-school programs, and holding sweats, sharing circles, lunches and other events.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided on site at the facility or at various locations in or near the community.
- Funding:
Funding has been provided through the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy. Additional funds have also been raised by the community through various fund-raising activities.
Relationships and Stakeholders
- Involvement of Target Groups:
The Centre is currently in a restructuring phase and is conducting interviews with community members to help refine their programming.
- Partners:
The community; the local school; and the local health centre.
- 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 based on whether or not the community's needs are being met through the program.
- Achievements:
Transitioning from a women's shelter to a program that offers broader services has seen an increase in involvement from men and youth.
- Challenges:
There have been difficulties in getting the community involved in the program. Because of the small size of the community there are very limited resources for the program.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. No advice given.
- Resources:
Sufficient funding, human resources and community interest are necessary to ensure the success of the program.
- Date modified: