Supporting Practitioners
The intention of this workshop was to share ideas for supporting practitioners who work with survivors of violence. However, the workshop itself became an activity of support by becoming a (modified) talking circle in which each member shared a challenge they had faced, how they had dealt with it and the successes that resulted. The circle was led by Priscilla George, an Aboriginal Literacy Consultant from the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation in southern Ontario. Janet Isserlis, of the National Institute for Literacy Fellowship Project in Rhode Island, agreed that the time for her presentation be given over to the talking circle.

Important points drawn from the stories shared in the circle are:

• it is important to stay in touch with the spiritual and emotional side of one's work
• violence, trauma, abuse cannot be treated as a separate part of learners' lives
• fear needs to be dissipated before learning can begin
• mainstream learning methods don't work for Aboriginal learners
• mainstream teaching practices are a subordinating experience for most women
• communicating hope can facilitate learning
• finding a balance between "sticking to the agenda" and following one's instinct is challenging but important
• safety cannot always be created (it is sometimes necessary to know how to face trauma and violence and move on).

Janet Isserlis's research can be found at: www.jennyhorsman.com (under Links). Priscilla George can be contacted at: priscilla.george@sympatico.ca.

Program Models
Helen McPhaden presented information from an innovative program in Saskatchewan called Stardale Women's Group. Stardale serves Aboriginal women and women in poverty, and was created specifically to facilitate healing. The program is based on a bridging model, to help women with life skills, to provide counseling, and preparation for further training. As creative production can be a powerful healing process, the program incorporates a high degree of creative activity, such as painting, drawing, clay work, sculpture, wicker work, quilting and dyeing.

Much of the program is carried out in a non-hierarchical way, in circles, with women sharing the decision-making. A lot of celebrations and feasts are organized to mark healing, a passing or to give thanks. Provision of transportation and food is part of the program support; women coming to the program are often hungry. The success rate for completion of the program is very high, with only a 5% drop-out rate. Last year the Group incorporated as a foundation to facilitate fundraising to carry on the project.

Stardale can be contacted at: stardale@sk.sympatico.ca.