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kʷəné ŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət

The Indigenous Response Network

PNW Forest

Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) stands on Lək ̓ ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm) Peoples territory. We acknowledge the Lək ̓ ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm) and W̱ SÁNEĆ Peoples (W̱ JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱ SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat)) who have past, present and future relationships with these lands and waters.

kʷəné ŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət

"Helping each other get well."

Traditional lək ̓ ʷəŋən Language Keepers Florence Dick, Ivy Seward & Joe Seward, gifted kʷəné ŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət and gave the Network their name.

The Indigenous Response Network (IRN) was formed in 2019 by Indigenous and community leaders, with support from Elders and partnerships with local organizations and Nations. The IRNʼs intention is to bring together communities, Nations, and individuals to work together to support education, healing and prevention of sexualized and gender-based violence in culturally-grounded and supportive ways. Kʷənéŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət was established on the principles of decentralization, healing, prevention and support with the intention of coming together with compassion, respect, safety and accountability. Through the IRN, we aim to strengthen collective voices in sexualized and gender-based violence work.

Joe Seward Pronunciation

Pronunciation Guide: kʷəné ŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət

kʷəné ŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət
Kwun ang it
Kwun ang it tul

eet
ee-sawh-it
kwung-ang-it-tel eet-ee-sawh-it

Mailing Address

#201 – 3060 Cedar Hill Road
Victoria, BC, Canada
V8T 3J5
tel: 250-383-5545

Contact us

Use this form to ask questions, provide feedback, or get in touch.

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The Story of Kʷənéŋətəl iʔ iʔsaət

In 2019, the Victoria Sexual Assault Center (VSAC) partnered with Women and Gender Equity (WAGE) to begin a five year project: Collaborative Decentralization of GBV Support for Survivors and their Families. This project was developed as a response to the high rates of sexualized violence experienced by Indigenous women, girls, youth, sexworkers, and Two-Spirit people. The Collaborative Decentralization project aimed to build upon and further develop culturally relevant responses to gender based violence by:

  • Identifying & addressing gaps in supports for survivors

  • Building meaningful partnerships with Indigenous serving organizations & local Indigenous communities

  • Creating & enhancing culturally relevant responses to gender-based violence

  • Centering Decolonization in practice & service delivery

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Medicine Room

The Medicine Room is a space within the VSAC office that has been designed with guidance from Elders and community protocol liaisons. This is a space for healing that has a range of items to support survivors, including food/drinks, beading supplies, medicines (cedar, sage, sweetgrass, tobacco), blankets etc. People can take what they need from the Medicine Room, and can use the space as needed. The space is open to survivors already accessing our services, but we hope to expand use further as we move forward. We ask that people be respectful and intentional in their use of the space. The IRN has developed a protocol guide to accompany the Medicine Room.

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You can find the link to our online protocol guide here.

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Additional Resources

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What we do

Below are offerings of specific activities that the IRN and partners engage in: Attends FNHA Community Wellness Tables (Tʼsou ke/Sciaʼnew/Pacheedaht Table & W̱ SÁNEĆ Table) and Community of Practices. Hosts cultural activities including medicine walks, ribbon skirt making, Quwʼutsun (Cowichan) weaving. Providing Unpacking White Supremacy Trainings to VSAC volunteers Hosting guest speakers - topics including MMIWG and the inclusion of boys and men; What does justice mean to our people?; Non-Consensual Image Distribution Attends VNFC community lunches Produces resources, including, “Where do I go when something happens?ˮ Hosted Disclosure Training Sessions provided in partnership with Stó:lō Nation Built carving tent with/for Elders that are involved in the IRN.

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Who Make up the IRN?

The program is coordinated by Abigail Turner, IRN Program Coordinator, and Katie Webb, Prevention Director. The IRN is comprised of local Elders, community protocol liaisons, individuals from local organizations (including Victoria Native Friendship Centre, PEERS Victoria Resource Society, QomQem Coastal Connections), the Prevention team at VSAC, band designates from local Nations and representatives from Surrounded by Cedar Youth Council.

“A community built upon culture, care and healing”

Network member (2024)
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