Staff
How everyone can help end violence against women is the goal of a Kanawayhitowin community awareness event set Thursday (March 31) from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Circle of Life Centre (616 Mowat Ave.)
Everyone—from individuals to local leaders, as well as representatives of local organizations—is encouraged to come out for the evening, said Heidi Smith, Aboriginal Healing and Wellness co-ordinator with the United Native Friendship Centre here, who is leading the newly-launched Kanawayhitowin program locally.
Kanawayhitowin, which translated means “Taking Care of Each Others Spirit,” is an initiative designed to raise awareness about the signs of woman abuse, and what people can do if they are close to an at-risk woman or abusive man.
The program has been rolling out across the province by the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, adapted from the province’s “Neighbours, Friends and Family” program to focus on aboriginal communities, and reflecting traditional and cultural approaches to community healing and wellness.
“We had the . . . launch [last month] and now we just want to put the information out there for the community—just for an awareness of what it is and get the community talking about it,” explained Smith.
The awareness event will include a presentation and video about the key messages of the Kanawayhitowin campaign, including its origins, the signs of abuse, what people can do about it, and what resources are locally available, noted Smith.
She also wants to get a discussion going about domestic abuse and what can be done to end it.
“We’re hoping to have some elders to sit with us, and we’ll have a drum group coming, so it will be a sort of traditional approach to presenting the information,” Smith added.
There is no charge to attend, with dinner and refreshments also being provided.
Smith said she’s really hoping the community attends the event—not just individuals, but by having representatives from local groups, organizations, and municipal and community leaders coming out to show their support.
For more information about Kanawayhitowin, visit www.kanawayhitowin.ca or contact Smith at the UNFC (274-8541).
