Braiding Sweetgrass: Culturally Informed Trauma Counselling for Indigenous Survivors of Sexualized Violence

PEI Rape & Sexual Assault Centre Inc.
Charlottetown, PEI

This program responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, “to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients,” and to address increased demand for culturally safe trauma therapy for Indigenous women, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ survivors of sexualized violence. The aim is to pilot this program at the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre urban locations with off-reserve survivors, and to add on-site healing/counselling services for survivors on Lennox Island and Abegweit Mi’kmaq Reserves in partnership with the Aboriginal Women’s Association PEI; and facilitate relationship- and capacity-building between both organizations through sharing knowledge, expertise, and skills.