Family Well-Being Program – a holistic approach for communities
by Lynne Brown
SAULT STE. MARIE – The very first Anishinabek Family Well Being training session took place in Sault Ste. Marie last week. It included a presentation by M. Celeste McKay, who shared insight into the legal information tool kit that the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (NACAFV) produced.
Titled Anangosh – meaning ‘star’ in the Algonquin language, Celeste McKay authored the manual.
“The manual is designed to help Indigenous women and service providers address key aspects of violence, as well as understand Indigenous women’s legal rights on matters related to leaving a violent relationship,” said Celeste. “It discusses legal tools for women’s safety, and provides information about relevant legal protections.”
The manual begins with an explanation of the rights-based framework to addressing violence against Indigenous women, and of the historical and social context that impacts Indigenous women in Canada.
NACAFV’s Legal Information and Training Toolkit (NLITT) Project’s national consultations were conducted in 2016 with 50 transition houses and women’s shelter leaders from across the country. The purpose of Anangosh is to in help Indigenous women and children and survivors of violence, navigate through the Canadian legal system.
To download the manual, go here: http://nacafv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/SM_Booklet_Working101_EN..pdf
Laureen Linklater, the Family Well-Being Coordinator for the Anishinabek Nation, played a central role in the organization of the Anishinabek Family Well-being training.
“This training is the first one for the Anishinabek Nation for Family Well-being ever. We had about 85% representation from all 40 First Nation within the Anishinabek Nation,” said Linklater.
“People are motivated to learn – They are invested in the Anishinabek Family Well-Being (AFWB) program and see this as a new journey for their community and they’re ready to do the work,” shared Linklater. “The program provides a holisitic approach to family well-being.”
In Anishinaabemowin, the program is Dodem Mino Bemaadzing Nokiiwin Naakingewin.
Linklater stated that the next AFWB training sessions are scheduled for February, 2018 at Chippewas of Rama First Nation in Orillia.
Celeste McKay also made a presentation about the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Persons. Sept. 13, 2017, marked the 10th anniversary of the Declaration.