Official Opposition Critic for Indigenous Affairs announced z | Page 2
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z | Page 5 PERFECTLY FABULOUS Volume 14 Number 47 | 50¢ Alicia Ashcroft
November 25, 2015
OPEN FOR BUSINESS 250.376.2411
Reaching out to make a difference Jennifer Friend, head of the six community partners that act White Buffalo Domestic Violence as the steering committee: The Initiative, has boundless energy Family Tree, the Y Women’s and enthusiasm for commu- Shelter, Kamloops Immigrant nity development, education Services, Kamloops Women’s and empowerment. Following Resource Group Society and a B.A. in English and Theater Interior Community Services. at Thompson Rivers University, There are many excellent resources Jennifer returned to university to in Kamloops, but the project’s pursue a degree in Social Work; main purpose is to connect these the mother of two recently gradu- services to one another. Jennifer’s ated again from TRU. Now a task is to target the gaps between registered social worker, she was these programs. By creating a fluid recently asked to speak to social network of information and supwork students at the university port, the hope of resolution, growth regarding the Status of Women and healing can begin. Jennifer Canada funded project, which felt refers to it as building the ‘comlike a proud moment to go munity tool box’, one that back to class. can be replicated in other areas. Soon Jennifer Three months into the thirty month projwill be visiting ect, Jennifer C l e a r w a t e r, has worked Barriere, closely with the
“Walk with courage” by Louise Alphonse. Top: In Harmony” by Audrey Nanimahoo.
Enderby, Lillooet and Lytton to displayed from November 25 to assess the needs in each comDecember 10 to commemomunity in the way of edurate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence. cation and support. Financial literacy is a Ultimately, Jennifer key factor in the initiahopes the initiative will tive. Too often victims of raise awareness and domestic abuse are unable give voices to the to consistently earn, save, victims. “Domestic spend and control their violence is not a own money, which women’s issue, it’s makes going out on a community issue...and how their own an imposwe can heal as sible feat. a community”, If they are says Jennifer. in care of The stigma that surrounds domesdependents, tic violence, the it makes the problem all the more shame and secrecy is a part insurmountable. A person of the bigger issue. Violence is trying to flee violence in their home connected to other issues such as can now access possibly life saving unemployment, economic hardinformation through the resource ship, gambling addiction, drug manual that has now been devel- and alcohol abuse. Those trying oped. The manual details every- to break free from violence need thing from shelter, food banks, easy access to the abundance of employment, education, funding resources. Support systems will and other support networks. provide strength and a sense of A recent contest was hosted by community, those who have sufthe Society, ‘Reaching Out’ called fered domestic violence will know for artists to submit work that cov- that they are not alone. ered anything from Indigenous The White Buffalo Aboriginal culture, rural life, female empow- and Métis Health Society is erment and family tradition. The located at 517 A Tranquille Road winner will have their art fea- and you can contact them by calltured on the cover of the resource ing 250-554-1176 or emailing manual. The submission deadline DVEducator@whitebuffalosohas passed, but the voting process ciety.net for more information. has just begun. The pieces will be Alicia Ashcroft, freelance
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