POSTPONED

The Warriors Against Violence Society is committed to helping First Nations families unlearn abusive and violent behaviours and reclaim their traditional values of equality, honour, and respect for themselves and others. WAVS began as a program for Aboriginal men with a history of abuse. Today, there are services for men, women, families and youth. Adult groups meet twice weekly at Kiwassa Neighbourhood House. This session is an opportunity to into who and what WAVS is and the impactful work that they do.

Please note this is not the workshop itself.  What we are excited to present and share is the the core beliefs of the founders and employees of WAVS around restoring the traditional Indigenous values of honour, respect, and equality. This ‘circle of life’ includes elders, life-givers, men, and youth. 

We have the great pleasure of presenting Joyce and Joseph to discuss their organization’s process and approach to healing on our Learning Circle. The objectives of the session are:

• Providing overview of Warriors Against Violence Society and what they do
• Describing the impact of and success stories of the program
• Sharing holistic structure of program, which includes culture and spirituality
• Sharing safety mechanisms that WAVS puts in place in their workshops
• Sharing sample tools from their toolkit
• Answering questions and comments

This workshop is for workers and community members who would like to learn about this organization’s ongoing efforts to address family violence and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. * Please note that UBCLC does not have the capacity to support participants if they are triggered by the content. Please ensure you have adequate support even though we will not discuss participant stories or experiences. If you need support please do not hesitate to call the crisis line here in the province of B.C.  (1.800.784.2433) or look up one for your area.

Everyone welcome to participate:

Date: Not available

Where: You can participate live via Videoconference OR Computer Webinar. What’s the difference?

Registration: Required to participate

About the Presenters:

Joyce Fossella is a member of the Lil’wat nation in British Columbia, Canada. Joyce has worked in the Aboriginal community for over twenty-five years in health and wellness and the employment and education fields. She is currently the Executive Director with Warriors Against Violence Society and has worked with WAVS for over seventeen years. Joyce has presented and spoken at various conferences. Some include World Indigenous Women and Wellness Conference in Vancouver BC and Calgary, Alberta, Guns, Gangs and Drugs Youth Conference in Prince George, BC, Erminskin Shelter Conference in Hobbema, Alberta, Removing Barriers for Engaging Men in Tacoma, Washington, Critical and Feminist Perspectives in Health and Social Justice Conference in Auckland University, New Zealand, BC Society of Transition Homes conference, Mental Health conference, UBC, Gathering Wisdom: Women’s Health Session and various other conferences and gatherings.

Joseph Fossella Sr. is a co-founder and a counselor/facilitator for Warriors Against Violence Society. He is a member of the Sechelt Nation. Joseph has worked in the First Nations community for over fifteen years. Recently, he has served Corrections Services Canada as an Elder, working with the Aboriginal inmates who come from all areas across Canada. He provides counseling, traditional teachings and administrative support.

Joseph speaks at various conferences and hosts presentations and workshops at various gatherings, organizations and communities. He has spoken at the World Indigenous Women & Wellness Conferences in Vancouver, BC, and Calgary, AB. In addition, he has presented at: the Northern Responses and Approaches to Victims of Crime Conference in Yellowknife, the Guns, Gangs and Drugs youth conference in Prince George, BC; the Ermineskin Shelter conference in Hobbema, AB.; and presented the Police Conference in Ontario.

Reading Material:

1. Read what CBC has to say about Warriors Against Violence
2. Downloadable pdf of: Aboriginal Domestic Violence in Canada