Introduction

How the Workshop Came to Be

The Strengths of Shelter Workers

What is Abuse?

Why Abuse is Happening in Inuit Society

Understanding the Cycle of Violence

Inuit People and Healing

How My Shelter Helps Healing

Counselling 101

The Purpose of Counselling

Building a Counselling Relationship

Confidentiality

Good Listening

Gathering Information

Setting Goals

Taking Action

Suicide Prevention

Children and Abuse

The Impact of Abuse on Children

What Children Need

Helping Children Express Their Feelings

Safety Plans for Children

Working in a Shelter

Creating Physical Safety

Emotional Self-Esteem

Building Self-Esteem

Caring for Yourself

Dealing with Difficult Residents

Dealing with Conflict at the Shelter

Shelter Procedures and Records

Building Links with the Community

References

How the Workshop Came To Be

This training workshop is part of a large effort by Inuit people, communities and organizations, to deal with violence and help Inuit heal themselves. It started with the Nuluaq Project on Abuse Prevention, an initiative of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada. Beginning in 2003 and through research, discussion and careful thinking a strategy for preventing abuse in Inuit communities was developed.

In the strategy Inuit people have listed the many steps they need to take to heal themselves, including having strong shelters in the north and training for the women who work in the shelters. Northern shelters are also helping each other by forming a shelter association through which they will support each other.