Indigenous women experience distinct forms of violence as a result of historical and contemporary colonial policies and attitudes.  The layering of colonial and gender violence has resulted in devastating outcomes.

This training course is intended to provide staff and managers at transition houses, second stage houses and safe homes in BC with tools to increase access to services for Indigenous women and their families who are seeking safety from violence.

Pre-requisite: Foundations in Violence Against Women v2.0

Full member fee: $60.00 CDN
Associate member fee: $90.00 CDN

 Non-member fee: $125.00 CDN


Banner image: A section of the mural Spirits of the Realms commissioned by the City of Vancouver. This project is part of the city's effort of reconciliation and served to increase Indigenous visibility on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations now known as Vancouver. Artists: Haisla  Collins, Jerry Whitehead, Sharifah Marsden, Mehren Razmpoosh, Richard Shorty, Vanessa Walterson

BC Society of Transition Houses

The BC Society of Transition Houses develops and delivers online and in-person training tailored to the needs of anti-violence workers who work directly with women, children and youth experiencing violence.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Cedar Blankets: Increasing Access for Indigenous Women 2.0

    • The Tree of Life

    • Welcome to Cedar Blankets

    • Course Overview

    • Course Objectives

    • What's in a Name? A Note on Terminology

    • Taking Care of Ourselves

  • 2

    Unit 1: The History of Colonialism in Canada and the Impact on Indigenous Women and Girls

    • Learning Objectives

    • An Overview of the History of Colonialism in Canada

    • The Indian Act

    • Indian Residential Schools and Day Schools

    • Indian Hospitals and Medical Experimentation

    • Forced Sterilization and Population Control

    • The Impact of Colonialism on Indigenous Women

    • Strength and Resilience of Indigenous People

    • References and Further Resources
  • 3

    Unit 2: Colonialism continues

    • Learning Objectives

    • The 60's Scoop

    • Child Welfare System

    • Burial Sites

    • Strength and Resiliency

  • 4

    Unit 3: Current Indigenous Experiences with Violence

    • Learning Objectives

    • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - a question of human rights

    • MMIWG - Human Trafficking

    • Truth and Reconciliation

    • The Need for Culturally Safe Transition Houses, Second Stage Houses and Safe Homes

    • Barriers faced by Indigenous women

    • References and Further Resources

  • 5

    Unit 4: Cultural Safety

    • Learning Objectives

    • What is Cultural Safety?

    • Cultural Safety Continuum

    • Developing an Awareness of Worldviews

    • Stereotyping and Systemic Racism

    • Privilege and Power

    • Privilege and Power in the Work Place

    • Equity vs. Equality

    • Broadening Our Lens

    • The Case of Brian Sinclair

    • Summary - Key aspects of cultural safety

    • References and Further Resources
  • 6

    Unit 5: Cedar Blankets Service Delivery Model

    • Learning Objectives

    • Overview of the Cedar Blankets Service Delivery Model

    • The Centre of the Framework: Indigenous Women and Children

    • Indigenous Feminism

    • Reflect on Your Practice

    • How Can Centring Indigenous Women and Children Improve Service Delivery?

    • Centring Indigenous Women and Children - Challenges and Promising Practices

    • References and Further Resources
  • 7

    Unit 6: Honoring Humaness: Relational Care As Our Practice

    • Course Objectives

    • Relational Care Defined

    • Why Relational Care?

    • Relational Care in Practice
  • 8

    Unit 7: Allyship

    • Chapter Objectives

    • Allyship in practice

    • Cultural Humility

    • Cultural Competence

    • Cultural Safety

  • 9

    Unit 8: MMIWG Inquiry's Calls for Justice as Policy

    • Pocahontas as the First MMIWG

    • Calls to Justice: Our Women and Girls are Sacred

    • Federal Response to the Calls to Justice: The National Action Plan

    • British Columbia 's Response to the MMIWG Calls For Justice and the National Action Plan

    • We are More than Murdered and Missing Women and Girls
  • 10

    Unit 9: Additional Resources

    • Violence Against Indigenous Women / Intergenerational Colonial Trauma

    • Social / Structural Determinants

    • Housing / Homelessness

    • Resources, Websites, and Videos

  • 11

    Unit 10: Course Feedback

    • Course Feedback