nato’ we ho win

Between October 2016- March 2021, PATHS worked with Indigenous partners, including Knowledge Keepers, to facilitate the design, delivery, and research of nato’ we ho win (a Cree word, which can be translated as “the art of self-healing”), supported through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s investment Supporting the Health of Survivors of Family Violence (contribution #1617-HQ-000035).

nato’ we ho win is a trauma-and-violence-informed, artistic, and cultural program where participants engage in cultural and creative activities to increase stress management skills, social support networks, and knowledge of traditional Indigenous culture and to address issues related to intimate partner violence.

nato’ we ho win consists of a 3-hour evening group session once per week. The program manual covers thirteen weeks, as there are thirteen moons in a year. The program manual was designed to be easily replicated in other communities and contexts—the themes can be covered each week, allowing flexibility for the facilitator to bolster the content with their own teachings and skills. There are three team members present at every group session—the facilitator, an Elder, and a domestic violence advocate. Facilitators deliver the program, covering the themes in the 13-week manual. nato’ we ho win can be adapted to be facilitated by an artist or an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper or Elder. The Elder is present at every group session to begin the group session with prayer, offer cultural teachings, and be available to offer support and guidance to the participants. Domestic violence advocates manage logistical and organizational pieces for the group (including conducting client intakes, communicating with clients between weekly sessions, arranging transportation for participants), assist participants with safety planning, and provide any necessary referrals or support. Transportation to and from the group is provided. Childcare is provided on-site and a meal is provided to start each group session.

nato’ we ho win was piloted in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and then ran three times each in Moose Jaw, Regina, and Prince Albert, Saskatchewan between September 2017 and December 2018. Women who took part in these nine groups completed self-report research measures and participated in focus groups designed to evaluate the effect of participation in nato’ we ho win on Indigenous women’s sense of well-being.

Program Manual:

The nato’ we ho win Program Manual and Facilitator’s Guide are now available. Feel free to get in touch with PATHS with any questions.

Journal Article:

Violence Against Women (2022): Assessing the efficacy of a cultural and artistic intervention for Indigenous women who have experienced intimate partner violence. (Read on the journal’s website here or read the text version here.)

Reports:

nato’ we ho win: The Art of Self-Healing (Brief Report)
nato’ we ho win: The Art of Self-Healing—Intervention Program: Using Cultural and Expressive Arts to Build Resilience
nato’ we ho win: The Art of Self-Healing— Women’s Experiences of Health and Well-Being While Recovering from Trauma
nato’ we ho win: The Art of Self-Healing— Cultural Artistic Expressions and Indigenous Identity

Additional research results are forthcoming, later in 2021. If you would like to receive research results as they are published, email paths.research@sasktel.net.

Selected Presentations and Videos:

nato’ we ho win: An Artistic and Cultural Program for Indigenous Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence (March 2021, Knowledge Hub, CREVAWC)
nato’ we ho win YouTube Video
Poster Presentation (2020): nato’ we ho win: Using Cultural Expressive-Arts to Build Resilience. Presented at the 25th San Diego International Summit on Violence, Abuse and Trauma Across the Lifespan.
Poster Presentation (2019): nato’ we ho win: Exploring Protective Factors to Engage Resiliency
Poster Presentation (2019): nato’ we ho win: Using Cultural Expressive-Arts to Develop Resiliency

Lisa Neuls, left, and Barb Frazer, right, display partially finished beaded belts the women have been working on as part of Nato’ we ho win, a new program that uses Indigenous cultural traditions to help women heal from domestic violence. (Rachel Zelniker/CBC)