NB 1213
Sept. 27, 2006
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Gignoo Transition House Inc., the only Aboriginal transition house in New Brunswick, and Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB), will host a conference on family violence prevention in Aboriginal communities. This province-wide conference will take place Oct. 4-6 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fredericton.
"The goal of this conference is to provide an opportunity for Aboriginal women, men and youth, to come together with service providers to examine the causes and impacts of family violence," said Natalie McBride, executive director of Gignoo House. "The overriding objective is to create an atmosphere for discussion that is culturally sensitive and reflects a more holistic approach to relationship violence. There will be workshops and special presentations that explore a range of issues and innovative practices, while promoting discussion on fostering safe, healthy outcomes for individuals, families and entire communities."
"The conference will showcase a new toolkit and website called The Healing Journey - all of which were developed in partnership with a working group of Mi'kmaq and Maliseet organizations," said Deborah Doherty, executive director of PLEIS-NB. "Funding to develop the toolkit, print it, create a website, host a conference, support Aboriginal participation and generate follow up activities, was provided by many different agencies including Justice Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Mounted Police Foundation - RCMP, Women's Issues Branch - Executive Council Office, NB Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, the NB Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and Canadian Heritage."
An exciting part of the conference is its focus on youth violence prevention. One of the most anticipated workshops is an hour and half session for youth with Inuk singer/songwriter, Susan Aglukark. On the evening of Oct. 5, tickets will be open to the public for a special performance and storytelling event by Aglukark. Everyone is welcome and tickets may be purchased for $10 adult or $2 youth from Gignoo Transition House.
For further information on the conference or The Healing Journey initiative, contact Gignoo Transition House Inc. at 506-458-1236 or gignoo@nbnet.nb.ca or Emily Bell, PLEIS-NB Legal Research Co-ordinator, at 506-457-4969 or emily.bell@gnb.ca.
06/09/27
MEDIA CONTACTS: Deborah Doherty, executive director, PLEIS-NB, 506-453-5369; Natalie McBride, executive director, Gignoo House, 506-458-1236.
06/09/27
