The Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Child & Family Service Society (Cranbrook) is receiving $70,000 for the ‘In the Spirit of Peace’ program, the B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation announced Feb. 5.

In the Spirit of Peace integrates experiential therapy and responsive methods and traditions with current therapeutic practice to promote real, lasting and historical change for families impacted by domestic violence.

The project is one of 24 Aboriginal organizations and communities throughout B.C. to receive $1.5 million from the provincial government to support culture-based domestic violence programs for Aboriginal families and communities.

The Aboriginal Domestic Violence Funding Project helps address domestic violence by supporting projects created and delivered by Aboriginal organizations and communities.

“Many of these programs incorporate Aboriginal culture and traditional practices which will help ensure the content resonates with the participants and have a meaningful impact in the lives of Aboriginal families throughout B.C.,” stated John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development added, “This project provides supports where they are needed most – in communities – by creating and expanding direct anti-domestic violence services for families while also increasing awareness around an issue that must end.”

Funding is provided in two streams: one allocates up to $25,000 to enhance current anti-domestic violence programming for seven organizations, and the other provides up to $70,000 for new projects to 17 organizations. The projects range from individual and family counselling services with a cultural focus, to healing discussions for entire communities to increase awareness about domestic violence.

Successful applicants were chosen by a partnership table comprised of representatives from the Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and the Ministry of Justice.

In September 2015, the province also provided $500,000 to increase access to transition house and safe-home services for Aboriginal women and children affected by domestic violence.

These projects are part of B.C.’s three-year, $5.5 million Provincial Domestic Violence Plan, a plan established by the B.C government two years ago today. Under the plan, $2 million was allocated to develop and deliver programs specifically for Aboriginal women, men and children affected by domestic violence. The plan is based on extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities and organizations and emphasizes the importance of an Aboriginal-specific response to stopping domestic violence.

“Through the Provincial Office of Domestic Violence and our Vision for a Violence Free BC, we are committed to violence prevention and enhancement of services for victims. This funding will improve access to support programs to help people overcome issues of domestic violence and lead safer, healthier lives,” said Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“Our council continues to collaborate with the province to find ways to address the systematic issues and root causes that are the reasons that domestic violence is occurring at alarmingly high rates to Aboriginal women and their children. We believe this funding is a good start to address the issues as specific to our communities’ unique needs throughout the province to help men, women and children overcome abuse and live healthy safe lives,” said Chastity Davis, Minister’s Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women.

In 2013, there were 12,359 police-reported victims of intimate partner violence throughout B.C. However, it is estimated that only about one in four women ever report their abuse to police.

Aboriginal women are three times more likely to experience violence and be assaulted by their partner than non-Aboriginal women, a Feb. 5 Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation press release outlined.

The B.C. government commits more than $70 million per year in prevention and intervention services, and programs that benefit victims of domestic violence and other crimes.

The Vision for a Violence Free BC Strategy is B.C.’s long-term path to creating a province where all women have the supports they need to help prevent violence, escape from violent situations, and recover if they have been victims of violence.

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