Regina organization steps up with support group to help MMIWG families

A support group forfamilies of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls,one of many programs Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services offers under one roof, is making a difference in the lives of those dealing with the traumatic loss of a loved one.

"They don't need to go to 10different agencies, or 10different programs," said EricaBeaudin, executive director of Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services.

"It's all here, and everyone can access our programs."

The First Nations Family Support Group was created when the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girlsstopped in Saskatoon late last year.

For some family members, going back to those painful memories during the hearings triggeredemotional and psychological stress that goes beyond the loss.

"After the inquiry I was already in a big crisis with dealing with the trauma," saidDeloresStevenson.

Stevenson's niece NadineMachiskinicdied after falling10 storeysdown an elevator chute at a Regina hotel in 2015.

"I didn't understand what I was going through, the trauma and grief of having to relive the experience of retelling Nadine's story. The staff here with RT/SIS helped me get through my depression."

Supporting each other

Dr. KimMcKay-McNabb, a clinical psychologist,hasbeen helping to counsel the families within the group since the inquiry in November.

"I use a lot of my western education to focus on different things that are related to symptoms of grief, symptoms of trauma. We do basic information about trauma, grief, different symptoms things like that."

McKay-McNabbsaid they also dobeading, sew,use talking circles, as well as go on field trips to learn about traditional medicine. She saidshe too is on a learning path in regards to culture, and is happy to be able to learn along with the group.

She said shehas seen the families build bonds and become supports for each other.

"We have learned in the group that there are different stages of grief, and we know when people are still missing there are so many significant traumas that are related to that. And every single family member in this group has a lived experience of that and they can really relate. You see that they really support each other."

MaxineGoforthis anothermember of the group. Her daughter KellyGoforth, 21, was found murdered in an alley in 2013. She saidshe understands herself more andnow identify her triggers, thanks to help from the group.

"They (RT/SIS) have been very helpful with the families. They have been there with me right from the get go, from the loss of my daughter, Kelly," saidGoforth

"I can say the programs have been very, very instrumental in my healing on a personal level. On a professional level, with the healing I got with the family support group, I was able to get a job."

'Umbrella' organization

Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services has been serving the Regina area formore than 20 years. Itworks in partnership with the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Counciland its mandate is to help the First Nations people of the Treaty 4area.

"What we find is a strength of RTSIS is that we are an umbrella organization," saidBeaudin.

"We have an employment centre, we have anadult Grade 12 program. We have several programs like Indian Residential School survivor programs, violence prevention, childcare, as well as the First Nations Family Support Group."

"When people utilize any one of our programs, we encouragethem to utilize our other services. So they can go to school or access our employment services. We are different in a way that all our services are under one roof."

Beaudin said thefamily support program is made possible with funding from the Federal Justice Victim Fund.All the other programs are project-based, so they are constantly writing proposals and applying for grants to keep them going. Beaudinsaidthe community response to the programs shows the need is there.