THUNDER BAY – Talk 4 Healing is a new help line that offers help and hope to Aboriginal women. The new line offers service in English, Cree, Ojibwe and OjiCree is new, and very innovative. The Internet offers resources for women seeking help, often in the privacy of their homes.
Talk 4 Healing – innovation
Online at www.talk4healing.com the website offers a way to browse the site without leaving tracks on the computer. That is a real help for a woman whose partner might be abusive and watching the computer like a hawk. There is also an ‘escape button’ to leave the page in a hurry.
[sws_pullquote_right]8 out of 10 Aboriginal women have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. If you are one of them, don’t hesitate to call Talk4Healing for help along your path to healing [/sws_pullquote_right]
For many Aboriginal women, getting help in their own language, or even just from someone who understands the cultural realities is a key component of the process. Traditionally Aboriginal women have turned to their grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and aunts for support. The approach of Talk4Healing is to have trained Aboriginal counselors helping Aboriginal women.
The goal of Talk 4 Healing is to make women seeking help more comfortable in dealing with issues and problems. However as Robin Haliuk shared with NNL, the service is also open for men looking to help women in their lives too. The grandfather or father concerned for their granddaughter or daughters are encouraged to call in as well.
The site also has a Facebook page.
Talk 4 Healing is a not-for-profit initiative operated by Beendigen in partnership with the Ontario Native Women’s Association. Funding from the Ontario Government has helped move the initiative forward. The innovative website was developed by Firedog Communications in Thunder Bay.
Talk 4 Healing – Robin Haliuk and Maryanne Matthews
Talk 4 Healing by netnewsledger
Talk 4 Healing is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-855-554-HEAL or visit www.talk4healing.com for more information.
