Ottawa, ON (October 11, 2012) Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and BluePrintForLife will deliver A Community Story from October 15-19 2012 in Kugaaruk, Nunavut.
A Community Story is an intergenerational healing project with the goal to create a positive shared experience between youth and adult and elder survivors of Residential Schools.
Pauktuutit’s work is grounded in the guiding principles of a collaborative and holistic approach that includes women, children, families, and communities. An example of the strength of this is working with and seeking the guidance of elders, community members, and subject-matter experts who form our advisory committees.
BluePrintForLife runs Social Work Through Hiphop programs throughout Canada’s north and in Canada’s inner cities. They offer dynamic, culturally appropriate programs designed for Inuit youth that are founded on HipHop, rooted in traditional culture, and centered on community needs.
“Residential Schools have deeply affected our communities.” said Rebecca Kudloo, Interim President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, “This project shows the positive work Pauktuutit conducts in collaboration with communities across the North.”
In particular, child sexual abuse is one of the most pervasive issues affecting Inuit youth today. Pauktuutit and BluePrint are collaborating with community members in Kugaaruk to pilot A Community Story. The holistic approach of our organizations as well as the care and sensitivity that is brought to the community through these workshops are an important way for us to work together on these issues.
Together Pauktuutit will work with the adults and elders while BluePrint will work with the youth. During the last two days the groups will come together to express their thoughts and feelings about their experiences and recovery. A Community Story is designed as an alternative healing technique by creating an opportunity to express feelings through art in a fun and vibrant way. Through music, art, spoken word and dance the story of healing and resilience from the community will be told.
Using art and culture as resilience and healing tools are important as an accessible and universal outlet for healing the intergenerational Residential School experiences.
Contact:
Katharine Irngaut, Manager of Abuse Prevention
613-808-7728
kirngaut@pauktuutit.ca
www.pauktuutit.ca
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