"Ganohkwa Sra Grand Opening"

OHSWEKEN - Emotions ran high during the celebration to officially open the first emergency shelter on Six Nations at Cheifswood Road and Bicentennial Trail on Friday.

The 12-bedroom facility creates a homey atmosphere for women and children left homeless as a result of family violence. The soft colors and comfortable furnishings with a large kitchen area, dining area, lounge areas and play areas for children all serve to make the shelter comforting for those in need. Two of the bedrooms are wheelchair accessible.

The shelter's name, Ganohkwa Sra, is a phrase in Cayuga Language meaning 'love among us', and was chosen because it is the goal sought for all families and because it is through 'love among us' the community can put an end to family violence.

"The special needs of Native women and their children will be well served with the opening of Ganohkwa Sra," said Claude Bennett, Chairman of the Board of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. "Victims of family violence need compassion, understanding and time to heal. Ganohkwa Sra will provide a supportive environment, free from the threat of violence," said Bennett.

Ganohkwa Sra will provide shelter, food and support to women and children of Six Nations. Trained and supportive staff will provide emotional support through individual and group counselling sessions for women and children in crisis. Other areas of support include providing education, housing, legal and community resources.

The capital cost needed to build the emergency shelter was provided through CMHC's Project Haven Program, which is a federal program created to meet the immediate short term needs of abused women and their children.

Under the program, CMHC provides eligible sponsors with financial assistance in the form of fully-forgivable loans for up to 100 per cent of the project costs. The federal government's commitment of approximately $749,000 was secured by a 15-year forgivable loan from CMHC. CMHC works with the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, which cost-shares operating funds with the municipality.

Everything went as planned for the grand opening celebrations, even the weather cooperated. Treasurer Belva Montour acted as Mistress of Ceremonies. She introduced all the board members and staff, which are Chairperson, Wilma General; Secretary, Alice Bomberry, other members of the board, Shirley Farmer, Elva Lickers, Margaret Porter and Dorothy Russell. Staff are Director, Reva Bomberry; Shelter Services Supervisor, Evelyn Maracle; Community Services Supervisor, Gina VanEvery; shelter counsellors, community counsellors, community educators, volunteers and student placements.

There were a number of guest speakers prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony which took place at noon with board members Shirley Farmer, and Alice Bomberry holding the ends of the ribbon while it was cut by Peter Friedmann, Area Manager, CMHC; Bob Brant, Assoc. District Manager, INAC; Wilma General; Chief Councillor Steve Williams and Tom Goff, Organization & System Development.

Bennett said he was delighted with the opportunity. He said it was living proof of the programs success. He also said it shows that endurance can pay off, referring to all the work General put in to having the shelter become a reality.

Former chief councillor William Montour, now with the Assembly of First Nations, was among the guest speakers. Montour had turned the sod at the ground breaking ceremony when he was chief and said the ladies involved used him as a battering ram to cut through the red tape.

"I admire the ingenuity of this community," he said. He would like to take all the complainers and dissenters from this community three hours north of here "to see the conditions our people have to live in," he said.

Steve O'Brien, Social Development of Indian & Northern Affairs, called the shelter a positive alternative and a tribute to the community of Six Nations and said the social services on Six Nations are second to none.

Richard Lightbown, Organizations & Systems Development, call the shelter a beacon in the community.

Brian Porter, Mark Mussleman McIntyre Combe Architects, remarked on the $900,000 building which will run an extensive outreach program and said this community now has the prototype for a shelter of this nature. He said when his company was researching the possibilities for a type of building, it was found that most centres were converted buildings, not new structures. He also remarked that more than 50 per cent of the work force for this building was local.

Safety is an important element of the shelter, there is controlled access and monitoring cameras on the exterior of the building, as well as the interior. The court yard provides a secure outdoor play area for the children, along with motion detectors mounted on the exterior of the roof. These detectors are wired to the police station.

Ganohkwa Sra operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Women and children in need can stay a maximum of six weeks. In addition to offering a safe haven for victims of family violence, the trained staff area available for counselling services. The staff listens, talks, shares and supports abused women and their children about their feelings and experiences as survivors of family violence.

Support and counselling for men who abuse their families is provided as a joint project between Ganohkwa Sra and La Marsh Research Institute, York University, but the funding will end in June. Other avenues of funding for this program are being sought at this time.

Future goals for Ganohkwa Sra are a Men's Program, Sexual Assault Program and Second Stage Housing.