Waseskun - The law of silence is breaking

628 Km north-west of Montreal in Canada, lies an algonquin village of 250 inhabitants, Winneway. The Anishnabe as they call them self are native community battling against serious social problems. Among them, sexual violence stay behind doors. The foundation of many selfdestructive habits, very few victims talks even when there is at least 26% case of sexual abuse in native communities, according to Statistics Canada. But the Aboriginal Psychosocial Interventions Reserch Group says a rate from 50 to 80% is more realistic. Cultural and value loss, poverty, unemployment, breaking in tradition, lost of traditional language, use of drugs and alcohol, are among social issues that are the foundation of violence in native community. But a few women are beginning to talk, in their healing process, but also to break the cycle and protect younger generation. *Waseskun is a cree word for the time after a storm where the light in the sky is changing. At this moment, nobody knows how the weather is going to evolve. Images by Marc André Pauzé (a 3000 words french text is available)

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Keywords canada, native, aboriginal, quebec, algonquin, america, forest, rape, reserve, sexual violence, social issues, winneway, woman