Login
Accessing this course requires a login. Please enter your credentials below!

Forgot Password?
Lost Your Password?
Register
Don't have an account? Register one!
Register an Account

Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

Sexual Violence: A Nova Scotia Resource

Sexual Violence: An Introduction
Introduction Video
What is Sexual Violence? Let’s Talk about Power
Victims/Survivors and the Impact of Sexual Violence?
Who Perpetrates Sexual Violence?
Cyberviolence
An Intersectional Approach to Sexual Violence
Why Do So Few People Report Sexual Violence?
What is Rape Culture?
Learn More
Responding to a Disclosure
Introduction Video
Responding to someone who has been sexually violated
Supporting Children and Youth
Trauma-informed Response
Self-care
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
Scenario 5
Learn More
Choices Following Sexual Violence
Introduction Video
Choices
Safety First
Seeking Medical Attention
Reporting to the Police
Being a Support Person
Learn More
Exploring Sexual Consent
Introduction Video
Consent Education is One Part of the Whole
Consent Is…
I Don’t Owe You
The Law and Consent
Consent and Alcohol and Drugs
Building a Consent Culture
No means No
Asking for Consent
Learn More
Enhancing the Wellbeing of Support People
Introduction Video
How Stress and Trauma Impact Support People
Self Care
Community Care
Build a Self Care Plan
Learn More
Indigenous Perspectives
Video Introduction
Before We Begin…
Colonization, Cultural Genocide, and Indigenous Activism
Timeline
Understanding the Root Causes of Sexual Violence
Mi’kmaq Culture and Resilience
Pathways to Healing
Mi’kmaq Initiatives
Being an Ally
Learn More
African Nova Scotian Perspectives
Video Introduction
Before We Begin
History- Slavery, Entrenched Racism, and Black Activism
Timeline
Systemic Racism
Community and Cultural Norms
Current Lived Realities of Sexual Violence
ANS Initiatives
Ways of Engaging/Being an Ally with ANS Communities
Learn More
Understanding the Sexual Exploitation of Youth: An Introduction
Introduction Video
Important: Before We Begin
Who is Targeted in Nova Scotia?
How Traffickers Operate
“The Game”
Signs and Stages of Exploitation
Being a Support Person
Community Resources
Learn More
Previous Module
Next Topic

Video Introduction

Sexual Violence: A Nova Scotia Resource Indigenous Perspectives Video Introduction
Read Transcript Here
Previous Module
Back to Module
Next Topic

Mi’kmaq people have been living in Mi’kmaki for thousands of years.

Mi’kmaki is made up of Nova Scotia, PEI and large parts of New Brunswick, the Gaspé Peninsula, Newfoundland and into the American state of Maine.

Pre-contact, Mi’kmaq people had our own territories, governance structures, economies, laws and political systems in which women, girls and Two-Spirit people played integral roles in the functioning of society, community and family.  

Much of the role of women, girls and Two-Spirit people have been erased by history and very little research has been done by the Mi’kmaq to correct the information gaps.

Indigenous people in Canada, specifically women, girls and Two-Spirit people face high rates of sexual violence.  

Colonialism, cultural genocide, intergenerational trauma, and racism, are some of the root causes that contribute to this lived reality. 

Sexist and racist ideas about Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people send the message that people won’t notice or react quickly, or at all, if they are subjected to violence or go missing.

These attitudes contribute to the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women; one of the most brutal forms of sexual violence.

In fact, research has found that most cases will never be reported to police or officials.  

The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association has worked building upon its “Sisterness” approach to family violence and sexualized violence. The mother, sister, auntie approach works best in Mi’kmaq communities where the important first step is letting someone close to you know.

The high rate of sexual violence and abuse of children in residential schools have only been discovered as the children, now elders, found a safe forum to be together and share throughout the Truth and Reconciliation process in Canada. 

Many only in their dying years were able to tell their stories.

Currently many mainstream approaches to addressing sexual violence are not culturally relevant or safe for Indigenous people.

Our communities continue to work together to create meaningful and much needed community-based programs. Programs that are based on Indigenous value, cultures and traditions. 

Native Women’s Association of Canada said it well:

“Despite the many layers of trauma experienced by Aboriginal peoples throughout history and into today, Aboriginal women, men, their families and communities, continue to live and love, work, teach, protect, provide, hope, create and dream. It is a legacy of strength and resilience, one more powerful than colonialism.”

Saving...