First Nation leaders and frontline workers from across Ontario gathered at the Oneida Nation of the Thames Community Centre this week to explore paths to community wellness in response to staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women.
“This event was really about finding ways to end violence in our families,” said Grand Chief Gordon Peters. “Our families have work to do to decolonize and restore healthy relationships with each other that are grounded in our traditions.”
“We need to support both men and women to heal and support each other,” added Peters.
The two-day conference included presentations on the traditional roles of men and women, impacts of western culture and colonization, barriers caused by trauma, and a youth panel exploring the current realities faced by First Nations youth.
“I think the most important thing for our youth to do is get involved in our communities, finding that sense of self, and learning our traditions,” said Melanie Gray, a 22-year-old youth panelist from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. “Learning our traditions will create a ripple effect to wellness in our communities.”
A joint initiative between the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) and At^lohsa Native Family Healing services, organizers hope that the event will support First Nation leaders to find ways to end family violence in their communities.
“The youth need to have more opportunities to speak at these kinds of events,” added Gray. “These are our issues, and we are going to be responsible for leading our communities one day.”
ABOUT AIAI
AIAI is mandated as a Provincial Territorial Organization (PTO) to defend and enhance the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of our seven member First Nations. Our member nations include: Batchewana First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Delaware Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Wahta Mohawks. Learn more at www.aiai.on.ca, on Twitter @AIAI_comms and on Facebook.
ABOUT AT^LOHSA NATIVE FAMILY HEALING SERVIES
At^lohsa means “friends” in the Onyata’ a:ka language. At^lohsa Native Family Healing Services was founded in 1986 to provide family violence services designed to meet and promote the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health needs of First Nation women, men and children in violent relationships. Learn more at www.atlohsa.com.
CONTACT
For more information, please contact Suzanne Morrison at smorrison@aiai.on.ca or 519.281.6238.
June 10, 2015
