STRONG WOMEN’S CIRCLE
The Research: Transformative Change and Policy Reform
In 2022, Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence partnered with Indigenous researchers, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Grandmothers to better understand primary prevention solutions that address the root causes of violence to promote systemic change. This research initiative, called the Strong Women’s Circle, built on the rich work already accomplished by Indigenous researchers and advocates from across Turtle Island and reflects the expertise and lived experiences of Indigenous women living in Alberta.
Created in an ethical space, where Indigenous and Western worldviews come together for sustainable anti-violence solutions, the report proposes five transformative changes to achieve Indigenous sovereignty along with a list of policy reforms in six systems that are necessary to prevent violence: justice and policing, child welfare, health, education, housing, and transportation.
Teachings on Film: Indigenous Voices to Prevent Violence
At the closing ceremony of the ‘Strong Women’s Circle’ research initiative, the Elders shared that they wanted to create an oral history of the teachings and knowledge shared over the duration of the project. The result is a series of films that captures the Indigenous women’s insights on healing, allyship, and how we can transform the systems that are causing Indigenous people harm. These films, produced in partnership USAY and Studio Lumen, can function as a beacon of hope and possibilities, paving a collective path towards peace, justice, and dignity.
Film 1: Strong Women’s Circle: A Systems Change Approach to Addressing Family Violence within Communities’ (watch below) launched on October 27, 2023.
© 2023 by Karen Acuna, Jackie Bromley, Dakota Eagle Women, Violet March, Diane Meguinis, Doreen Spence, Lana Wells, and Valerie Wood is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Film 2: Strong Women’s Circle: Achieving Sovereignty in Our Children’s Welfare (watch below) launched on October 1, 2024.
© 2024 by Karen Acuna, Jackie Bromley, Dakota Eagle Women, Violet March, Diane Meguinis, Doreen Spence, Lana Wells, and Valerie Wood is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 .
* Video can be used for educational and non-commercial purposes under Creative Commons license BY-NC-ND. If you are interested in learning more or want to host a circle in your community, please email shift.dv@ucalgary.ca.