Aboriginal victims given voice

Aboriginal victims of crime in the Thunder Bay area have been given a voice and information where they can reach out for help.
“We need to support them, we need to support their healing, and we need to support their ability to carry on (with) their lives,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley during an Aug. 20 gathering at the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre.
“Everybody is affected in a different way by crime.”
Bentley announced two Aboriginal victims support grants during the gathering: $150,000 for the Ontario Native Women’s Association and $81,750 for Shkoday Abinojiiwak Obimiwedoon. The Aboriginal Victims Support Grant Program has awarded $2 million to 19 Aboriginal organizations for 20 local projects this year that support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes and historic abuse across the province.
“We recognize the need for victim services to be tailored and delivered by Aboriginal people,” Bentley said. “Through these two new projects, Aboriginal victims in the Thunder Bay area will have access to the information and services needed to help them heal.”
Bentley stressed that while some victims of crime are able to speak about what happened to them, others are incapable of speaking about it at all.
“Some people take a short period of time to heal and some a very long time to heal,” Bentley said. “So we need to help in any way we can.”
ONWA is using the funding to develop 12 workshops to teach Aboriginal youth about healthy relationships. ONWA will also create a new guide with information on community resources, the justice system, the Victims’ Bill of Rights and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
“We are thankful for the opportunities this grant has created,” said Betty Kennedy, executive director of ONWA. “Through the support of the Aboriginal Victims Support Grant program, our organization has been able to reach out to youth and provide them with valuable information about healthy relationships, domestic violence and where they can turn to for help when they need it.”
Shkoday Abinojiiwak Obimiwedoon is using the funding to provide support to families of murdered or missing women from northwestern Ontario communities through a project that permits victims to express themselves through art. The art will be shared with the community to raise awareness about the impact of crime and help with the healing process.
“The art healing sessions we have been able to provide help give victims a voice and help them to heal,” said Tammy Bobyk, executive director of Shkoday Abinojiiwak Obimiwedoon. “We are grateful to be able to use this opportunity to bring their stories to the public and raise awareness about victimization in the Aboriginal community.”
Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle said the grants provide First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in northwestern Ontario with access to victim services that are rooted in their own culture and tradition.
“I know that these new programs will have a significant impact on the community and help Aboriginal victims in the healing process,” Gravelle said.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro said Ontario recognizes the importance of programs that support victims in a way that promotes healing in the traditions of their community.
“These new programs are helping Thunder Bay area organizations reach out to more victims, educate the public and prevent re-victimization,” Mauro said.