REPORT CAR A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK TO EN VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORIGINAL WOMEN 2007 2010 A PARTNERSHIP OF: THE ONTARIO FEERATION OF INIAN FRIENSHIP CENTRES (OFIFC) THE ONTARIO NATIVE WOMEN S ASSOCIATION (ONWA) THE INEPENENT FIRST NATIONS (IFN) THE MÉTIS NATION OF ONTARIO (MNO)
BACKGRON The Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women started out as a collaborative initiative of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) and the Ontario Native Women s Association (ONWA). It evolved from a National Policy Forum on Aboriginal Women and Violence held in Ottawa in March of 2006, hosted by the Status of Women Canada. Shortly thereafter the Ontario Women s irectorate (OW) hosted a meeting of the Ontario delegation in Toronto. Much of the Strategic Framework was designed at the first Summit to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women (referred to as Summit I) held in March 2007, in Thunder Bay and built on the work initially undertaken to inform the design of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy. The ONWA Breaking Free report, the Aboriginal Family Healing Strategy: For Generations to Come, The Time is Now, and additional research prepared by the OFIFC, Organizations all contributed to the design of the Strategic Framework. Summit I was followed by two additional Summits. Summit II was hosted by the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) in Sudbury in September 2007, referred to as Achieving Justice: Aboriginal Communities and the Ontario Justice System Working Together, Report from the Summit to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women; Part II. Summit III was held in Hamilton in February 2009, with funding support from the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS). Summit III saw the addition of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and the Independent First Nations (IFN) as partners in the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women. The Strategic Framework was released by the OFIFC and ONWA in the fall of 2007 and distributed to federal and provincial leaders and government officials, and Aboriginal leaders from First Nations, Métis communities, and service. FONATIONAL PRINCIPLES 1. Violence against Aboriginal women must end. 2. To successfully end violence, all people affected by violence against Aboriginal women (victim, abuser, affected families and witnesses) need to have specific supports. 3. Violence against Aboriginal women is always done within the context of a community, and as such, the community as a whole has a central role to play in addressing the issue. 4. Violence against Aboriginal women is rooted in systemic discrimination, and consequently, issues of gender, race and cultural exclusion must be considered as contributing factors. 5. A social health determinants model must be applied to ensure that the causal issues of violence are addressed. 6. Flexible, evolving and ongoing efforts must ensure government and Aboriginal community co ordination and collaboration. 7. To be effective, all activities required to address violence against aboriginal women must be directed, designed, implemented and controlled by aboriginal women. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 2
8. Recognition and implementation of a framework will involve changes in research, legislation, policy programmes, education, community development, leadership, and accountability. 9. Gender based analysis must underlie all work involved with this strategy. 10. The capacity of aboriginal communities and governments to respond to violence crimes committed against Aboriginal women must be strengthened. 11. All perpetrators of violence against Aboriginal women must be held accountable and be offered culturally based healing programmes to prevent future incidents. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 3
STRATEGIC IRECTION #1 Comprehensive research and data collection on issues related to Aboriginal women and violence has taken place. REPORT CAR ON THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK TO EN VIOLENCE AGAINST ABORIGINAL WOMEN 2007 2010 evelopmental: : A The federal government announced in its 2010 Budget, $10 million in funding over 2 years to address the disturbing number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. etails of the funding are still pending. There has been no specific funding provided by either the federal or provincial governments to support the much needed research and data collection activities in support the Strategic Framework in Ontario. There has been no review or evaluation of the effectiveness of mainstream responses to violence Against Aboriginal women. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 1: There is much room for ; the success of all initiatives to end violence against Aboriginal women is dependent on the availability of concrete, current Aboriginal specific data, including distinct data for Métis, Inuit and First Nations on and off reserve in Ontario. The impact in Ontario of the $10 million funding to address the alarming number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women cannot be measured at this time. Specific details regarding how funding will be allocated and the types of delivery methods are still pending. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 4
STRATEGIC IRECTION #2 Legal reform and legislative change to support ending violence against Aboriginal women is in place. :evelopmental: A No legislation has been drafted federally or provincially. Although the Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) is still outstanding, the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) has identified family violence as a key priority of the AJS, and will consider ways to reduce the high incidence of Aboriginal women as victims of violence. MAG is working on a number of initiatives to improve the justice response in cases of violence against Aboriginal women, including improving the representation of Aboriginal people on local omestic Violence Court Advisory Committees in jurisdictions that serve large numbers of Aboriginal people. There is no concrete discussion with the Aboriginal partners or formal communication regarding MAG s efforts or activities. Following a federal/provincial territorial gathering of Aboriginal Affairs Ministers and Justice Ministers in the fall of 2009 a commitment has been made to address the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women. This commitment is also to include the development of a coordinated strategy against the exploitation of Aboriginal women. To date no strategy has been announced and no evaluations have taken place. MAG hosted Summit II to End violence Against Aboriginal women in September 2007 and made a number of significant recommendations. The status of those recommendations has not been shared with the partners of the Strategic Framework. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 2: Room for as the impact of the Aboriginal Justice Strategy cannot be determined until the AJS is completed and published. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 5
STRATEGIC IRECTION #3 Creation of a comprehensive policy to target and address violence against all Aboriginal women in Ontario has been created. : evelopmental: A The Ministerial Steering Committee on omestic Violence (13 Ministers) has endorsed the overall objectives and multi faceted approach of the Framework to guide planning and priority setting in Ontario. Members of the Committee will take responsibility for leading and tracking the government s response to the Framework. Work will be co led by the Minister Responsible for Women s Issues, Honourable Laurel Broten and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Honourable Chris Bentley. A director level inter ministerial working group will support the work of the Committee. The development of viable and effective solutions will be developed with the coordinated efforts of partner Ministries and the Aboriginal partners of the Strategic Framework. Negating the fact that there is a need for increased capacity within the Aboriginal organizations to fully participate, respective Aboriginal partners will be attending next inter ministerial working group meeting. A detailed status update is required at the next meeting to outline the development of a comprehensive policy and all other actions and activities to date. Renewal of AHWS is still outstanding. A one year extension is currently in place. It is recommended the existing allocation be increased to AHWS in order to maintain and enhance program and services. In addition, an increased allocation of funding specifically to address ending violence against Aboriginal women is required. A Respective Aboriginal organisations to attend next inter ministerial working group meeting. Some degree of consultation has resulted with the three summits to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women held from 2007 to 2009. A further Summit has been proposed for 2010: a verbal commitment from the MCYS has been made however no contract has been received to date OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 3: Room for particularly as it relates to the inter ministerial working group until decisions and actions of the group become evident. No comprehensive policy is in place. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 6
STRATEGIC IRECTION #4 Resources are designated for policies and programmes designed to address violence against women, including Aboriginal women. : evelopmental: A MAG is working with Partner Assault Response (PAR) program providers to develop an Aboriginal specific curriculum outline for existing PARs program. The OFIFC and several other partners have been working on an Aboriginal culturally relevant model for PARs. All Aboriginal partners do not receive funding to develop and deliver a culturally based PARs program provincially. There is much work to be done with MAG to acknowledge and support culturally based programmes as an alternative to the PARs model. MCSS announced it will provide funding for an Aboriginal specific omestic Violence Community Coordinating Committee to promote coordination of services in isolated and remote communities. MCSS is proposing to pilot an Aboriginal Women s Help Line in the north to address the unique barriers of Aboriginal women in isolated and remote northern communities. However, these initiatives are still limited in scope and geographic area. The Ministry must recognize and support funding for a holistic approach to addressing all aspects of violence against Aboriginal women regardless of their region. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 4: There is room for and further development as it is too early to determine the impact and effectiveness of the planned Help Line and Aboriginal specific omestic Violence Community Coordinating Committee for the north until these initiatives are funded and implemented. There is no indication that these initiatives will be made available throughout Ontario. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 7
STRATEGIC IRECTION #5 Public education campaign has been launched to raise awareness of violence against Aboriginal women. : evelopmental: A + Funding provided by OW to the OFIFC for the Kanawayhitowin: Taking Care of Each Other s Spirit and Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin: I Am a Kind Man Youth and Adult Initiatives has contributed to greater awareness. These initiatives have been operational since 2007, have dedicated websites along with informational and resource materials; and have held information and training sessions throughout Ontario to Aboriginal communities and First Nations, along with mainstream organisations. MAA has funded OFIFC to create an Aboriginal Youth specific media strategy to support the Strategic Framework that is still at the development stage. Specific cultural awareness training has been provided to MCSS and a module was developed for MAA with the participation of senior officials and other Ministries delivered in early 2010. MNO, ONWA, IFN and OFIFC have called for revised Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy to focus strongly on reducing family violence in Aboriginal communities and implementing the VAAW Strategic Framework. iscussions continue but there remains no specific commitment from government to enhance the AHWS programming through supplemental allocations specific to ending violence against Aboriginal women. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 5: Support for public education and cultural awareness has been relatively good, continuation of funding will help the ongoing need for awareness and broader understanding of the issues. The Youth Media Strategy will require implementation funding once the design and development is completed. There is an outstanding need to incorporate cultural awareness training and specific awareness of violence against Aboriginal women in regular education curricula. The need for greater understanding and awareness to the issues is constant and more mainstream organisations and communities are expressing interest. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 8
STRATEGIC IRECTION #6 Aboriginal community and organizational capacity has been strengthened, as has government capacity to end all forms of violence and abuse against Aboriginal women. : evelopmental: A Expanded federal and provincial funding for the rban Aboriginal Strategy (AS) and the rban Aboriginal Task Force (ATF) in Ontario would support partnership development at the local level. The AS is only in three communities in Ontario. The ATF identified the need for an implementation plan that is specific to the urban Aboriginal woman. Funding for Aboriginal partners as Community Hubs under the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy would provide the means to promote partnership development and assist the provincial government in their goal to reduce poverty especially for Aboriginal people. Funding was provided for the three Summits which were successful in attracting the inclusion of MNO and IFN in efforts to end violence. Many First Nations and Métis communities and local Aboriginal agencies have received training and participated in Kanawayhitowin and Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin programs to launch their own initiatives at the community level. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 6: There is room for further development, specifically the full implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the designation of Aboriginal partners as Community Hubs. This would help contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Framework jointly with the AS, the ATF and the BAWL Program through building capacity at the community level. The planned activities for the north are not yet in place and confined only to the North; it is therefore too early to analyze any impacts. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 9
STRATEGIC IRECTION #7 Community leadership is currently being developed or has been developed that supports ending violence against Aboriginal women. : evelopmental: A ONWA has implemented the BAWL Program which received funding from the province however the original proposed budget was decreased prior to the ministry s approval of the program. In order to meet the intended objectives of BAWL and support a provincial delivery model, the ministry must re instate the original requested budget allocation immediately and extend the term of the program. Funding to implement the Youth Media Strategy that is currently being developed will increase community leadership However, to build on this success additional funding and support must be provided to develop a media strategy specific to Aboriginal women, their families and communities in order to promote awareness of violence and a grassroots approach to healing through community and family. Funding for broad based evaluations, data collection and studies specific to violence against Aboriginal women is required. The IFN is now a partner of the Strategic Framework and has passed a resolution signed by the 12 Chiefs of the member First Nations and has distributed it to all other First Nation leaders in Ontario, encouraging them to join in efforts to end violence against Aboriginal women. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 7: Activity is still at the initial stages; results cannot be fully achieved or determined without funding to support evaluations, data collection and further study. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 10
STRATEGIC IRECTION #8 emonstrated commitment of and involvement in the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women. : evelopmental: A MNO and IFN have joined in the partnership. IFN is encouraging other First Nation leaders to join in the fight to end violence however neither has been provided resources to focus work in this area. Many urban Aboriginal organisations and communities, Métis and First Nations have participated in the Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin and Kanawayhitowin initiatives; and have participated in many of the Summits to end violence. The provincial government has been supportive; the Ministerial Steering Committee on omestic Violence (13 Ministers) has endorsed the overall objectives and multifaceted approach of the Framework to guide planning and priority setting in Ontario. Members of the Committee are taking responsibility for leading and tracking the government s response to the Framework. The work is being co led by The Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister Responsible for Women s Issues and the Honourable Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. A director level inter ministerial working group will support the work of the Committee. The development of viable and effective solutions will be developed by the coordinated efforts of partners Ministries and the Aboriginal partners of the Strategic Framework. Negating the fact that there is a need for increased capacity within the Aboriginal organizations to fully participate, respective Aboriginal partners will be attending the next inter ministerial working group meeting. A detailed status up date is required at the meeting to outline the development of a comprehensive policy and all other actions and activities to date. MCSS, MAA, and MAG have been supportive in funding the development of culturally appropriate training regarding violence against Aboriginal women and in H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 11
STRATEGIC IRECTION #8 : evelopmental: A supporting and hosting the three Summits. The MAA has also provided funding for the development of the Aboriginal Youth Media Strategy. MAG has begun discussion regarding the development of Aboriginal culturally specific PARs program curricula and created the Aboriginal Victims Support Grant Program in 2009 however is not fully committed nor dedicating any resources for groups to move the initiative forward. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is providing support to implement Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin in four correctional facilities to corrections staff and inmates. There needs to be specific focus and support for Aboriginal women specific programs. Many mainstream organisations are aware of the Strategic Framework and fully + endorse it, and promote it in their work. However there is still a disconnection between policy development and grassroots implementation. OVERALL PERFORMANCE STRATEGIC IRECTION 8: The provincial government has demonstrated its commitment to the Strategic Framework. A specific provincial policy that endorses the framework to establish priorities and actions would enhance the province s commitment to end violence against Aboriginal women. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 12
SMMARY CHART TOTAL RATING Out of 31 points Acceptable 0 evelopmental 20 nacceptable 11 Report Card Overall: There have been some minor developments but s and further investments are required. This results in an overall failing grade. A comprehensive policy that endorses the framework and allocates resources to establish priorities and actions in partnership with ministries and Aboriginal partners is required. H:\2010-2011\AHWS\Government\VAAW Policy Analyst\Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women\vs.6 Strategic Framework Report Card final draft 13