From Stillettos to Moccasins: healing workshop

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From Stilettos to Moccasins is a unique research project that gives voice to Aboriginal women healing from drug abuse and problems with the law, together with those who are helping them on their journey. You can view the project findings through song, music video, posters, articles and a workshop. These products are the result of a community-based process that sought the guidance of Elders, women with lived experience, treatment providers, researchers and policy makers to help turn research into practical tools.

The latest product from the community-based research team is a half-day health intervention workshop that accompanies the From Stilettos to Moccasins music video. The goals of the workshop are to:

- Discuss the role of identity and stigma in the healing journeys of Aboriginal women in treatment for drug abuse;

- Offer hope and inspiration from the experience of more than 100 Aboriginal women in substance abuse treatment who shared their healing journeys; and 

- Reflect on and learn from each other’s understanding of identity, stigma and the healing journey. 

Through a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), a facilitator’s guide will be available by the end of the year at no cost to interested groups. This guide provides step-by-step guidance to individuals wanting to raise awareness with their clients about the role identity and stigma play in the healing journeys of criminalized First Nations, Inuit and Métis women in treatment for drug abuse. Pilot tested in addictions treatment centres, correctional facilities and the community, this workshop has proven to offer hope to individuals in their healing journeys. 

With funding from CIHR and established as a partnership between the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, CCSA and the University of Saskatchewan, a segment of the workshop was highlighted at CCSA’s 2011 Issues of Substance conference.

For more information, visit From Stilettos to Moccasins: Aboriginal women drug users in conflict with law.