"Thirteen case studies are being conducted as part of the impact evaluation of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF). The case study process includes collecting data on selected social indicators to measure the impact of projects over time; in particular, for the year prior to AHF-funded activity and once again in the year 2003—an approach known in the evaluation field as a “within groups repeated measures” design. The case studies are intended to provide a detailed, holistic view of the projects and their outcomes. All data collection, analysis, and synthesis are being done by community support coordinators (CSCs) under the facilitative guidance of Kishk Anaquot Health Research.

The project that forms this case study is entitled I da wa da di (Mohawk translation for, “We should all speak”) (AHF-funded project # RB-278-ON). It is described as: “A range of traditional services will be provided to Aboriginal women who have suffered the legacy of sexual and physical abuse in residential schools or its intergenerational impacts. Culture-based training workshops for Aboriginal women who work with survivors will be provided.”1 This report provides a holistic overview of the traditional healing project I da wa da di, including a description of important project characteristics and provincial conditions that may influence the project. It is followed by a detailed discussion of project activities and anticipated short- and long-term outcomes and how change will be measured. It will discuss the range of potential indicators of change, including those chosen by the AHF Board to be applied to all projects (physical abuse, sexual abuse, incarceration rates, suicide, and children in care). The analysis of the project, and its impact to date, and conclusions are presented with aspects of the project that appear to be working well, lessons learned to date, and ongoing challenges.” (Case Study Report: I da wa da di, page 1).