The NunasuKavut Women’s Empowerment Workshop was hosted by NunatuKavut with funding through the Provincial Government Women’s Policy Office’s Violence Prevention Initiative.
The “Women’s Empowerment Project” is a project of the Mokami Status of Women’s Council.
The workshop was help at the Northern Lights Inn in Lanse Au Claire. “Each time we have a workshop we try to move from community to community,” said event organizer Darlene Wall. “Last year’s Violence Prevention Workshop was help in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and when we have another one, we will be holding it on the southeast coast.” This year’s event was facilitated by Denise Cole, who has 10 years of experience, and Patrina Beals, Director of the Mokami Status of Women’s Council. The conference also boasted a trained Wenlido instructor.
28 women participated in the workshop full of activities. “It was a combination of Wenlido-Women’s Self Defence and Wellness Activities,” Ms. Wall said. “This includes lots of hands-on skill learning, lively conversation, sharing of cultural wisdom, life experiences, building networks and bonding.”
Facilitator Denise Cole said she believes the large turnout reflects the need for more events like this for women, that are funded and supported by agencies and accessible to all women of Labrador.
“As a facilitator I felt it was inspiring and powerful experience for everyone involved, myself included,” said Cole. Wenlido is a self-defense class designed by women, for women and girls. Wen is the contraction of the English word women. Li means; strength in Chinese and Do means the way or the method in most oriental languages.Wenlido means “the way of women’s strength.” Petrina Beals said the main goal for the Women’s Empowerment Project is to help women empower themselves.
“This project empowers esteem and self confidence for women and young girls. We are providing information to women that may help them if they ever find themselves in a dangerous situation. Wenlido is a move that a woman can use to get away from a real attack situation,” she said.
“The training is not just about physical techniques; we spend a lot of time talking about violence against women and the crime of sexual assault,” said Ms. Beals. “We want to provide women with different techniques and tools so that they can find what works best for them.” “It’s like filling your personal toolbox..the more tools you have the more options you’ll have,” she said. Facilitator Denise Coles can be contacted at denise_cis@hotmail.com for agencies/communities wishing to design similar experiences. FOR Wenlido workshops, Petrina Beals can be contacted at the, Mokami Status of Women Council office in Goose Bay at 896-3484. Darlene Wall can be contacted at dwall@labradormetis.ca or 896- 0592 ext 2238 for information on futures workshops.
