English - Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies

A traditional approach to working
with an abusive Aboriginal man is
about keeping him responsible and
accountable — ​to his victim, his family,
his community and himself . . . ​ In order
for a traditional approach to work,
there needs to be strong role models,
respected Elders and traditional people
and strong Aboriginal women to walk
alongside the men. The healing model
must be rooted in the Seven
Grandfather Teachings.
Teaching and Sharing Circles: Circles provide an environment
where individuals can learn, alter their values, and model and
see new behaviours while also receiving support from people in
similar situations. A circle reinforces an individual’s autonomy
and the knowledge of his/her integral connection to a bigger
community (other community members going through the same
issue; service providers who are his/her helpers, etc.). The circle
reinforces that:
> > Knowledge is in each person
> > Expertise and authority is not required to transfer
knowledge
> > People change at their own pace
> > We cannot judge others because their stories are different
from our own
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SOURCES
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from: http://www.2spirits.com/AHistoryof2SpiritedPeople.pdf
Aboriginal Services Branch and Learning and Teaching Resources Branch. (2005). Our words, our
ways: Teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners (p.27). Edmonton, AB: Minister of Education.
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challenges and moving positively. Ottawa, ON: NAHO.
Antone, B. & Hill, D. (1990). Traditional healing: Helping our people lift their burdens. London ON:
Tribal Sovereign Associates.
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White Bison Inc.
Bopp, M., Bopp, J. & Lane, P. Jr. (2003). Aboriginal domestic violence in Canada (p.47). Ottawa, ON:
Aboriginal Healing Foundation.