OHSWEKEN — The province of Ontario is investing $1.5 million over two years to create a new multiservice centre to address the needs of Indigenous survivors of crime.
Following receipt of this funding, the Six Nations Justice Department is currently training volunteers for their Indigenous Victim Services Program. Volunteers who have enrolled in the 60-hour training program will have the opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience in crisis intervention.
The community and volunteer based program will support indigenous victims in Six Nations, Brantford, Cayuga and Hamilton. Assistance will be provided to victims of crime and other tragedies, including: assaults, car accidents, family violence, homicides, house fires, human trafficking, robberies/break and enters, sexual assaults, sudden deaths, and suicides.
The funding provided by the Ministry of the Attorney General will also help to ensure that two staff and/or volunteers are available to respond to emergency on-site tragedies.
“We are so pleased to be able to support and work with Six Nations of the Grand River to build community based supports for Indigenous victims of crime. Programs like these that are developed and led by the community are essential to providing meaningful support, emergency response and healing.” said Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General of Ontario.
“The launch of the Indigenous Victim Services Program occurred on May 28, 2018, and our program services will start on June 1, 2018”, said Barb General, Six Nations Justice Director.
Until the volunteer base is at a capacity to cover after-hours calls for Six Nations, Brantford, Hamilton and Cayuga, Six Nations, Indigenous Victim Services will be working collaboratively with the established victim services in the nearby cities.
Those interested in volunteering with Six Nations Indigenous Victim Services Program must be 18 years of age or older, have great communication skills, a willingness to learn, able to commit a minimum of one year to volunteering, a valid driver’s license and a police record check.
For more information or to volunteer contact the Volunteer Coordinator at jmillerwilliams@sixnations.ca or call 226-227-2192, extension 3288.
The Indigenous Victim Services toll free number for Brantford, Hamilton and Cayuga: 1- 866-964-5920.
