I am working with a band in British Columbia and would
appreciate some information helpful to a new project.
In the past decade, it has moved rapidly to take charge
of its own child welfare, health care, education, and
so on --part of the gradual move to self determination
and self government.
In recent years, the community has faced a problem with
abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, resulting in a
greater consciousness of the problem and recognition of
the need to protect and heal young people and adult
survivors.
Now, the community will begin to look at how it can
deal with those who perpetrate abuse -- particularly
sexual abuse. We will raise this problem for all
sectors of the community to consider and speak to. It
is a strong, community-based approach which, in part,
will mean searching its own traditions for culturally
appropriate ways to respond in a firm, yet healing
manner, to offenders.
We are interested in what other Canadian and American
First Nations Communities have done to address this
problem. Are there good models out there? Project
descriptions? Reports?
You can reply through the list, or by e-mail.
Many thanks,
Rick Stordeur
up858@freenet.victoria.bc.ca
-- x