ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Happy families was one of the themes throughout the series of events that were held in Fort Liard last week to draw attention to the issue of family violence.

Amy Duntra adds her hand to the pledge tree that was part of the reception and community potluck held in Fort Liard on Oct. 8 for Family Violence Awareness Week. Participants were invited to raise a hand against violence by signing a handprint and putting it on the tree. - photos courtesy of Shannon Crawley

"What we're hoping to tell people is that people can have good, happy families," said RCMP Cpl. Monica Schimanke.

"Violence is not a way to deal with issues."

Four events were held between Oct. 5 to 11 in the hamlet to mark Family Violence Awareness Week. The inter-agency committee in the hamlet, which Schimanke leads, organized the events.

The week started with a march against family violence on Oct. 7 that was meant to draw attention to the week, Schimanke said.

Approximately 30 people walked along the hamlet's main street between the Liard Valley General Store to the RCMP detachment. A banner, proclaiming the name of the week, was carried by some of the participants.

Even more people attended the community potluck and reception on Oct. 8 in the community hall.

"We had a real sense of community at the potluck," said Shannon Crawley, Acho Dene Koe First Nation's communications and development co-ordinator.

The event was about people drawing together as a community, sharing a meal and having a conversation about an important subject. In a positive way, the potluck was used to highlight the idea that the types of family violence residents might see frequently in Fort Laird are not as common nationally, she said. The rate of reported spousal assaults in the NWT is one of the highest in the country, second only to Nunavut, according to a 2006 study released by Statistics Canada.

During the potluck community members had the chance to sign a handprint and add it to the pledge tree, a painting of a tree that included a pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about family violence. There was also a happy family photo corner where families and groups of friends could have their photos taken as a keepsake.

The potluck also served as a reception for the poster and poetry contest that was held at Echo Dene School. Students were asked to draw photos of happy families and good things families can do together.

Community members were invited to vote for their favourite poster and poem. The first and second place winners in each of the age categories received a donated prize.

Fort Liard and the NWT can learn from the messages that the students were sending out, said Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, who participated in the potluck as part of a visit to the hamlet.

"The words were very powerful. You can just see the emotion in their poetry," he said.

Many of the young people said that if families are strong it makes communities strong as well. Menicoche said he was impressed by the fact that all of the school students were involved in Family Violence Awareness Week through the contest.

Although the message at the potluck was the family violence shouldn't be tolerated, there was also an information table with material on what to do when it happens including sheets with the numbers of organizations that people can go to for help. Another handout provided definitions of different types of violence that fall under family violence. It's not just physical, said Crawley.

"It's belittling, it's bullying and it's intimidation," she said.

Crawley said she and the other organizers were "blown away," by the turnouts at the two events.

The week ended in Fort Liard on Oct. 10 with a talking circle about family violence led by a community member.

At the same time the movie Frozen was shown in the community hall for youth. Crawley was planning to use the popular movie to lead the youth in a conversation about which characters have healthy or unhealthy relationships and why.

The events in Fort Liard were made possible through a $1,000 grant from the Coalition Against Family Violence NWT.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.