The Strengthening Families Conference, hosted by the Yorkton Tribal Council, was about confronting the problem of family violence in the area head on. Six member bands, as well as the surrounding community and relevant agencies came together to discuss issues surrounding family violence, the impact it has and ways to strengthen families in the area.
Nola Mahingen says that the conference was designed by what they see and hear as part Project Safe Haven, the women’s shelter that is part of YTC. The conference schedule dealt with things like inter-generational impact of domestic violence, supporting the traumatized child, the importance of fathers, recognizing triggers and examining what is available in the city. Mahingen believes that talking about and dealing with the trauma involved is a key to helping prevent future family violence, and conferences like this are a way to start dealing with the impact on families and the community at large.
“Now I’m hoping we’re starting to deal with things and we’re starting to talk about things.”
Another goal was to get different agencies in the same room, because family violence is a problem that crosses agency lines and requires cooperation. Mahingen says that bringing different agencies together is important because family violence will hit different areas of community health.
“A lot of us don’t work together, we all work in different silos... We need to help each other because we’re basically working with the same families. If we have a family that comes into the shelter, that family has to deal with the justice side of things, that family has to deal with child and family services, that family could be looking for addiction services, some of them are trying to get their children back. There is mental health counseling, housing is a big issue, especially if you’re coming from reserve into the city... There are so many gaps that we’re looking into.”
While it can be a difficult subject to talk about, Mahingen says that their goal is also to end on a positive note, and the structure of the conference reflects this desire. She says it’s a way to ensure mental health, as it means they are not weighed down by what can be heavy subject matter.
“We don’t like to leave things heavy in our hearts. We take on other people’s hurts, if you told me a painful story about yourself, I would walk away carrying your story with me, and it would bother me for a few days... If you end on a good note, you’re not carrying that negativity with you.”
Ending on a positive note is something that support workers need to remember in their daily lives as well, Mahingen says.
“One of the main things we have to do is debrief all the time, so I’m not taking this home with me, and I’m not going home and getting mad at my children for no reason because I’m upset about something I heard during the day. With the role that I have at the shelter, I’m an in-house counselor, so I’m hearing women’s stories, all their hurt and all their pain. You wouldn’t believe some of the things people deal with, all their hurt and all their pain.”
Mahingen hopes that the conference, now in its first year, becomes a regular event. She also hopes people are better able to deal with trauma, whether in their own families or in their career, thanks to the information learned at the conference. She says this conference was a good start and she hopes it will strengthen the families in the region.
