Recommendations

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and the Law Society of Nunavut are committed to continuing to work with the stakeholders and support their efforts to collaboratively find solutions to end the cycle of family violence in Nunavut.

The partners for this project cannot direct agencies and service providers to take action or make specific changes. Nonetheless the following proposed recommendations arise from the findings from the interviews and focus groups. If acted upon, these proposed recommendations may make a critical contribution to the collaborative and holistic approach that is recommended for going forward.

To break the cycle of family violence in Nunavut, the important role of Inuit society as it relates to dealing with family violence and Inuit Societal Values must be practiced; solutions must be culturally relevant and holistic. The legal system and the Inuit way must continue to build a common path together; a collaborative, sustainable plan must be developed and implemented.

The Law Society of Nunavut’s Access to Justice mandate is to build connections using a collaborative approach. This mandate will help us to better respond to the legal needs and interests of all Nunavummiut. The Law Society of Nunavut, with support from Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to assist with the implementation of the recommendations. This may be achieved through a proposed Working Group to end family violence – Piliriqatigiinniq – working together for a common cause.

  • Ensure continuous inter-agency cooperation and collaboration by providing holistic, team-based (wraparound) trauma- informed practices and follow-up for women and children fleeing violence.
  • Provide proactive outreach to families who are known to need support with information about FAIA, resources and supports to build relationships and trust before there is a crisis.
  • Ensure continued funding support for preventative programs across Nunavut, such as the Inunnguiniq Parenting/Childrearing Program, wellness and healing groups for Inuit to reclaim their culture and traditional ways of being part of the healing process.
  • Provide ongoing in-depth, trauma-informed and meaningful cultural orientation training for social services and mental health workers. This can enhance the understanding of the root causes of gender-based violence in Nunavut and improve counselling outcomes.
  • Build the capacity of Inuit counsellors who live in the community who can provide trauma-informed counselling in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. 
  • Provide trauma counselling relapse prevention and access to treatment for men, women and families to reduce the escalation of violence.
  • Improve access to counselling for children involved in family violence. Provide them with mental health support and life skills to address intergenerational trauma. 
  • Ensure that food vouchers and other necessities are available to adequately supply informal safe houses in communities where there are no shelters.
  • Explore ways to further incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) in FAIA practices. Align practices with policy to improve communication, trust in the system, and the ability of Inuit community members to gain access to justice when family violence occurs.
  • Reduce delays in granting Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) by providing a Justice of the Peace in each regional time zone.  
  • Inform community members about the overall process to apply for Community Intervention Orders (CIOs) and EPOs when applying for a CIO, specifically the role of the Justice of the Peace, and timelines.
  • Invest in a new Community Justice Outreach Worker (CJOW) position dedicated exclusively to FAIA training in Nunavut to educate Elders, traditional counsellors and other community members about the options available under FAIA, in addition to other legal options.
  • Provide more training for CJOWs who can assist people to apply for Community Intervention Orders to improve couple relationships, aligning with the Inuit Societal Values of keeping the family together and restoring harmony and balance (aajiiqatiglingniq).
  • Improve neutrality for applicants and respondents in filing EPOs by providing separate representation and guidance during the EPO process.
  • Explore ways to mitigate delays in addressing breaches of conditions of Emergency Protection Orders and similar offences between circuit court visits to the community.
  • Expand existing programs and deliver education and support programs in all communities on healthy relationships, anti-bullying and peacemaking for children and adolescents. 
  • Identify and build awareness of opportunities for youth to take part in programs available to them.
  • Identify opportunities to support organizations and stakeholders who are delivering educational programs for youth on healthy relationships.
  • Explore opportunities to provide improved responses to domestic violence disputes.
  • Ensure ongoing, in-depth, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive training to understand the root causes of gender-based violence in Nunavut, and improve communication and trust between RCMP and community members.