equay - wuk (women’s group) 1989 - present
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Equay - wuk (Women’s Group) 1989 - Present. Organization Overview Equay-wuk (Women’s Group). Equay-wuk (plural for “Woman” in the Ojibway and Oji-Cree languages) Provincially Incorporated in 1989 Independent from other women’s groups Non-Profit Charitable Organization - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)1989 - Present
Organization OverviewEquay-wuk (Women’s Group)
Equay-wuk (plural for “Woman” in the Ojibway and Oji-Cree languages)
Provincially Incorporated in 1989 Independent from other women’s groups Non-Profit Charitable Organization Governed by an Elected Board of
Directors who serve a two year term Catchment area is made up of 31 First
Nation communities in remote Northwestern Ontario
Catchment Area Map
Demographics of the Area Served
by Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)
Vast remote area that covers ½ the province of Ontario
Inhabited by over 18,000 Oji-Cree and Ojibway people
Most communities are accessible only by air
High cost of living Limited employment opportunities
Recommendations from Early Conferences
Topics for future education and discussion Family Violence Youth Suicide Alcohol and Substance Abuse Parenting Skills Training Sex Education
1st Programs at Equay-wuk
Funded by the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB) - 1992 Interpreter/Translator Training Short Order Cook Training
Sponsored by Wawatay Native Communications Society A Television Program called “Equay-wuk Speaks”
Organizational Objectives/Current Programs
To coordinate and facilitate the delivery of the Community Wellness Program
To provide culturally appropriate resources which promote wellness, education and self-development
To identify community wellness needs, issues and concerns Current Programs at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)
Community Wellness Program (Started in June 1995) Nishnawbe Women’s Wellness (Ended March 2011) Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership
Organizational Objectives/Current Programs
To maintain and operate employment training programs Programs at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)
Job Readiness Skills Training Program (Started in 1993 a 22 week training program)
Employment Ready Skills Training Program (Started in 1996 a 12 week training program)
Organizational Objectives/Current Programs
To empower women to determine their future
To provide forums for women to become more independent and more assertive about their own needs within their community
Program at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Program
Originally called ‘Women in Self Government’
Organizational Objectives/Activities
To network and share information
Activities at Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) Host conferences Facilitate Community Workshops Develop Manuals and Training Kits Maintain a Web Site Train-the-Trainer workshops for First Nations to
facilitate focus groups in their own community on parenting and family violence prevention
To provide and maintain a resource library of culturally appropriate
materials
Educational Kits Produced
Home Based Business 2009A Guide for Nishnawbe Women - Kit includes a Manual and CD
A Positive Parenting Program Kit
Educational Kits Produced
Healthy Families Healthy Nations - A Family Violence Prevention Kit
Healthy Families Healthy Nations -A Training Kit for Professionals and Service Providers.
Manuals
Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership -A Workshop Manual, Participant Handbook, CD
Better Care Giving – Cultural Sensitivity: A Facilitator’s Manual and Guide For Professional Care Giving
Closing Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) is
committed to empowering women, youth and families who reside within Northwestern Ontario First Nations communities.
We continue to apply for funding to facilitate positive change to reflect the aspirations and self-determination of the First Nation people we serve.
Meegwetch!
Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)P. O. Box 1781Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1C4Tel: (807) 737-2214 or toll free (800) 261-
8294Fax: (807) 737-2699Email: [email protected]: www.equaywuk.ca