Thank you.
It's critical--it's critical--and I would like to share with you a couple of examples of the need for distinct and unique approaches.
There are 26 communities in Nunavut spread very broadly. It's not possible to have a full web of support services in a community of 500. Through the Healing Foundation a mobile crisis response program was developed so that a group of experts could go to different communities. It's not ideal, but it was a made-in-Nunavut healing approach.
We develop a lot of models at our organization. We don't do service delivery, but we work with people in the communities and experts to develop healing models. We're refining an “on the land” program. We're working with Status of Women Canada over two years to support women in leadership roles. This is based on a project called Somebody's Daughter, which brings women on the land.
Over a week, people reconnect with traditional skills, like making kamiks and cleaning skins. There are elders and counsellors present. There's a journalling component. So through the week, with different and complementary activities, it really builds women's self-esteem as a very important tool in addressing violence, whether in their own lives or in the community.
So yes it's critical, but it has to be specific to different regions and different peoples. Language is very important.