History of Equay-wuk (Women's Group)

Why Equay-wuk was started ....

Because there were no existing programs to help women and their children who were experiencing family violence in the remote northern communities.

Community Beginnings....

In the early 1980's in Round Lake, women gathered together under the guise of a sewing circle to talk about family violence in a private and safe place.

They invited resource people like police officers and nurses to converse with their group about the need for a safe environment free from fear of violence.

Eventually, a crisis team was formed in this community.

One of these women was a founder of Equay-wuk - the late Sarah Melvin.

Equay-wuk in Sioux Lookout....

In 1987, a group of women in Sioux Lookout started to get together to talk about setting up an organization to help women and children experiencing family violence.

They named it: "Equay-wuk".

Other women from the northern communities joined or sent messages.

They shared stories and discussed future leadership plans.

They all agreed that the social problems they had in common needed to be addressed.

Incorporation....

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) was formally incorporated in 1989. They started small, with fundraising events such as a used clothing sale.

Later, this group of women obtained funding from the federal and provincial governments and other agencies for the different programs.

Today....

Equay-wuk serves 31 remote First Nation communities and has five programs with seven people on staff.