Val-d'Or sexual assault support centre gets $240K to address needs of Indigenous women

A support centre for victims of sexual abuse in Val-d'Or, Que., is launching a new program to meet the surgein demandfrom Indigenous women for the centre's services since 2015.

The province is investing$240,000 inthe initiative, called Mikizi, aimed at reaching Indigenous women living in and around Val-d'Or, in the Abitibi-Tmiscamingue region.

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Judy Lafontaineis a counsellor at Assaut Sexuel Secours. She said the centre has wantedto hire extra staff ever since since allegations of police mistreatment of Indigenous women surfaced in 2015.

Demand for the centre's services more than doubled in the year that followed, Lafontainesaid, forcing the centre to draw up a waiting listfor the first time in its existence.

That demand has continued to grow along withsocial movements such as#MeToo, whichhas pushed more women to come forward, said Lafontaine.

"We are here to help them heal, help them find peace,"Lafontainesaid.

Holistic approach to healing

Lafontaine said the financial support hasallowed the centre tohire a new counsellor who started work in January.

SakiaWabieAlarie is an Indigenous woman from Val-d'Or who previouslyworkedas a social worker for the local health agency.

Alarie compares her new role to that of a lighthouseguiding boats throughthe fog.

"When you can't findyour way, you see it, and you know where you have to go," she said. Alariesaid she willbring a more holistic approach to the healing process.

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"I work with the healing of the four poles body, mind, spirit and emotions."

Alarie said it is also important to integrate into her work an understanding ofthe impact colonialism has had on Indigenous peoplesand how suffering has been passed on, from generation to generation.

"I accept them the way they are. If they have their own tools to attenuate their suffering for example, alcohol I'll just accept them like that."

Strengthening bonds with communities

Mikizi, which means eagle in Anishnabe, also has the mandate to continue the centre's outreach initiatives in communities around Val-d'Or.

Lafontaine said this outreach is working: in2014-2015, 30 per cent of users were Indigenous, a number that doubled to 60 per centin 2017-2018.

Lafontaine said women often feel more comfortable talking about sexual abusewith people outside their band council.

However, she said it's crucial that local resource workershave the right tools and know where to turnto point women who have been victimized in the right direction.

"It's important that communities take action as well,"Lafontainesaid.

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Geoffrey Kelley acknowledged the workAssaut sexuel secours has done over the years in the Algonquin communities ofKitcisakik and Lac-Simon.

Kelley said Monday that Mikizi should help strengthen these networks.

Lafontainesaid she hopes by the timethe three-year funding for Mikiziends,those bridges will be solid, but she also hopes the funding is renewed.

"There really is a need," she said.

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The province announced a $1-million emergency fund in October 2017, following thewave of allegations againstwell-known figures in Quebec's entertainment industry.

The money was distributed among the nearly 40support centres for victims of sexual assault acrossthe province. Val-d'Orreceived $11,000.