The organization has emerged from a series of grassroots-level consultations with Aboriginal family violence service providers. The first formal meeting was held in 1999 at the University of Manitoba and resulted in a recommendation for the establishment of a nationally representative body that would:
- Collect information
- Advocate the cause
- Provide resources and training support for those working in the areas of aboriginal family violence, prevention, intervention and longer-term care.
A provincial steering committee met the following year to define a framework for the organization.
By spring 2002, the organization was staffed, incorporated and conducted a national consultation to share best practices and challenges. The report on the first operational year and other consultations are available free of charge.
Why a national organization?
Aboriginal family violence service providers and other experts from across the country recognize the need for a coordinated approach to Aboriginal family violence services. Secure funding and supportive partnerships can best be coordinated on a national level.
This coordination enhances the capacities of communities to deliver effective and culturally appropriate services aiming at long-term healing from the effects of family violence.
No national figures are available, but services for Aboriginal people impacted by violence are under-resourced and under-funded compared to non-Aboriginal specific counterparts, despite a much higher rate of violence in Aboriginal communities.
We intend to work with communities to gather information on family violence that will strengthen the case for better supported Aboriginal-specific programs and facilities.
How does the NACAFV work?
The establishment of the NACAFV is in the spirit of Aboriginal people taking responsibility and ownership for addressing the issues surrounding family violence. The NACAFV can serve as:
- A national clearinghouse for on-the-ground information;
- An advocate for developing standards and training programs; and,
- A source of support for isolated service providers.