• Mission
• Background
• Goals
• Community Partners
• Committee Mandate
• Committee Structure
• Oskayi Kiskinotahn - Aboriginal Men's Treatment Program
• Events/Newsletters

Strengthening the Spirit exists to plant seeds of hope for urban Aboriginal peoples by developing culturally competent treatment programs and other resources that contribute to the reduction of family and sexual violence in Aboriginal families and communities. All programs developed must take into account, Aboriginal cultures, historical and contemporary factors unique to Aboriginal people, and emphasize the importance of a holistic approach.

In 1999, HomeFront in partnership with the Action Committee Against Violence and several Aboriginal service organizations formed Strengthening the Spirit. The committee was formed out of recognition that significant numbers of Aboriginal families are impacted by domestic and sexual violence and that there was a lack of culturally competent programs available for Aboriginal families.

Membership is inclusive of Aboriginal serving organizations, programs and individuals. Laura Ducharme, the Aboriginal Domestic Violence Court Case Worker with HomeFront has acted as committee Chair for the past four years. The Action Committee Against Violence provides staff support to the committee. Strengthening the Spirit has representation on both the Calgary Domestic Violence Committee and the ACAV Coordinating Council to ensure that the work is connected to the broader violence prevention sector.

Focus groups facilitated by this committee identified a critical need for professional development and training for Aboriginal service providers, Aboriginal specific resources and treatment programs for Aboriginal people that are more culturally relevant.


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v The primary purpose of the committee will be to ensure that culturally competent services are available to meet the needs of all Aboriginal peoples impacted by domestic, sexual and intimate partner violence. This requires:

• Identification of needs
• Evaluation of existing services
• Identification of gaps in services
• Development of new services as required

• Action Committee Against Violence (ACAV)
• Boys and Girls Club Community Services
• Calgary Board of Education
• Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA)
• Calgary Family Services
• Calgary Health Region- Alberta Mental Wellness
• Calgary Police Service- Aboriginal Liaison
• Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter
• Canadian Paraplegic Association
• City of Calgary Community and Neighborhood Services
• HomeFront- Domestic Violence Court Caseworker
• Metis Calgary Family Services
• Mount Royal College - Aboriginal Education Coordinator
• Soaring Eagle Response Unit
• TsuTiina Stoney Corrections, Victim Services
• United Way of Calgary and Area
• USAY- Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth

• Research best practices in working with Aboriginal families impacted by domestic, sexual and intimate partner violence.
• Support the development of culturally competent treatment programs for all members of the family.
• Develop resources specific to the Aboriginal community. (i.e. 24 Hour Help Cards)
• Enhance the capacity of service providers working with Aboriginal families through ongoing education and training.
• Build stronger linkages between the Aboriginal serving agencies and mainstream domestic and sexual violence agencies.
• Ensure that Aboriginal peoples are represented on coordinating bodies including the Calgary Domestic Violence Committee and Action Committee Against Violence
• Ensure that Aboriginal perspectives are included in policy initiatives including the Alberta Round Table on Family Violence

Strengthening the Spirit meets every third Thursday of every month at 2:00 pm. For more information please contact either Laura Ducharme at HomeFront (355-4367) or Carrie Neilson with the City of Calgary, Aboriginal Services.



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Oskayi Kiskinotahn

• The Strengthening the Spirit Committee in partnership with the YWCA Sheriff King Home oversees the Aboriginal Men's Project, which includes the development of Oskayi Kiskinotahn, an Aboriginal Men's Domestic Violence Treatment Program.
• This innovative pilot project includes the development of a treatment manual, which is a unique blend of best practices from the field of family violence together with teachings from the Aboriginal culture and the use of spirituality in the healing process. To date three pilot groups have been completed. A preliminary evaluation has been performed to determine the effectiveness of the program.
• Sessions include:
  • Domestic Violence- Distortions of the Medicine Wheel
  • Anger
  • Most Violent Incident
  • Domestic Violence and the Impact of Colonization
  • Residential School Trauma
  • Family of Origin
  • Men and Emotions
  • Shame versus Guilt
  • Self Esteem and Sexual Jealousy
  • Substance Abuse
  • Impact of Violence on Children & Parenting
  • Restoring Balance
  • Cultural Identity & Healing
  • Potential and Violation
  • Identity & Vision
  • Making & Maintaining Change

Strengthening the Spirit would like to announce its 6th Annual Conference being held at the Grace Baptist Church on November the 6th, 2006.
Check here for more information regarding the conference


To Access the Evaluation, click here

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