also known as Our Herstory......

1987 - 1989

• A local committee forms with Smithers Community Services Association (SCSA) and approaches the government to fund Transition House services.
• SCSA is approved for funding in September 1989 to provide 24-hour service for women and children fleeing abuse. The annual contract is $137,800.
• Carol Seychuk, the current Executive Director of Northern Society for Domestic Peace, is hired to start and manage the Transition House
• Six staff are recruited and trained. Staff help clean and set up the house.
• Passage Transition House opens its doors on December 1, 1989. The first client arrives the evening of December 1st.

1990 - 1993

• Passage House gets funding from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for a major face-lift.
• In November 1991 the Ministry of Social Services funds provincial Transition Houses for Child Support. Passage House hires a childcare advocate in January 1992.
• Passage House hosts a Family Violence Conference. Minister Penny Priddy is the guest speaker.
• The province recognizes the significance of children exposed to domestic violence and funds the Children Who Witness Abuse Program (CWWA).
• Ongoing discussion takes place between Passage House committee members and SCSA to form a separate society to specifically focus on issues of violence and abuse.
• In April 1992 the Domestic Peace Project for men is developed to meet the needs of women wanting help for their partners. The Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Social Services fund this holistic group program for men, women and their children, the first in the province to work with the entire family at once.
• The Stopping the Violence (STV) counseling program is funded for women who have experienced violence in intimate relationships.
• Second Stage Housing, two duplexes with four independent living units for women and their children, is built. Sherielle Manor is named to honor Sheri Motz and Michelle Cummins, two young women who lost their lives in violent relationships.
• On February 2, 1993, the Northern Society for Domestic Peace (NSDP) is fully incorporated and takes over Passage House and its contracts from SCSA. NSDP is headed by a 7 person Board of Directors, who work closely with the Executive Director.
• In January 1993 a local child and youth committee approaches NSDP to provide services to children who have experienced sexual abuse. In April 1993 the Ministry of Health funds the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (SAIP).
• Jane Middleton-Moz, international speaker on multigenerational grief and trauma, and cultural and ethnic self-hate, is brought to town.
• The local Police-based and Specialized Victim Assistance programs struggle with the existing referral process; NSDP is asked by government to bid on the programs and, in the Fall of 1992, takes over both Victim Service programs in the community.
• In 1993 the Passage House annual budget is $211,748.
• In July 1993 NSDP opens an office on Main Street, Smithers.
• Working with local Probation and Legal Services staff, NSDP and the Prince George Forensics Services collaborate to provide a sex offender relapse prevention program. Subsequent problems with the format result in NSDP terminating the contract in 1994.
• In April 1993 Sexual Assault Centre Services are proposed and funding is obtained.
• In December 1993 NSDP hosts a conference on' Responding to the Defensive Themes of Assaultive Men', with speaker Dale Trimble.

1994 - 1997

• On January 29, 1994, staff member Gary Buchfink and his family are tragically killed in a helicopter accident. Gary provided counselling services in the community and was co-facilitator of the Domestic Peace Project for men.
• In April 1994 NSDP hosts a local conference on sexually intrusive children.
• In July 1995 NSDP moves to 3772 First Avenue, Smithers.
• April 23 - 29, 1995 is declared the first annual Prevention of Violence Against Women Week.
• NSDP conducts a Community Safety Audit.
• In the Spring of 1996, staff of the Domestic Peace Project are contracted to deliver workshops on the agency's coordinated services.

• In March 1997 NSDP hosts an art show - Why Don't They Just Leave? - by Anne Popperwell.

1998 - 2000

• NSDP is contracted to explore isolation and transportation as it relates to women in the Smithers area. A local youth transportation committee is formed and a youth transit system is proposed.
• In early 1998 NSDP and SCSA cooperate to provide youth services in 'The Zone' Youth Resource Centre including an HRDC contract to provide employment counseling services. In April 1999, due to difficulties with the HRDC contracts, the agreements are prematurely terminated.
• NSDP received funding to coordinate a Community Response Network for adults affected by the adult guardianship legislation.
• In 1999 the annual funding for Passage House is $310,757.04.
• In 2000 NSDP staff deliver part of the Senior Highschool curriculum on issues related to violence and abuse.
• NSDP receives a grant to deliver 'Beauty From the Inside Out' presentations to Grade 7 and 8 girls.
• NSDP sends a staff delegate to present its Community Response Network model (a rural perspective on elder abuse) at an international conference on family violence in Cyprus.
• NSDP is funded to develop crime prevention strategies for youth in the community.
• In 2000 NSDP completes a formal Master Strategic Plan.
• In 2000 NSDP delivers filial training to the provincial teacher's federation in Vancouver.

2001 - 2005

• In 2001 NSDP hosts a workshop on disordered eating hosted by Sandra Friedman, and an art installation on body image, called 'House of Mirrors.'
• On June 5, the BC government dissolves the stand-alone Ministry of Women's Equality.
• NSDP brings 'The Vagina Monologues' to town, and it is performed by local women.
• In 2002 NSDP agrees to provide Pregnancy Outreach Program (POP) services to the community.
• In 2003 NSDP hosts an eating disordered workshop for physicians and health care professionals.
• NSDP hosts a workshop on elder abuse with presenters Jill Hightower and Greta Smith.
• NSDP hosts a Children Who Witness Abuse focus group with Dr. Sue Penfold, a researcher from BC Children's Hospital.
• In 2004 NSDP hosts a legal services workshop on family law with presentations from Legal Services Branch.
• The BC government ends $1.7 million in funding to 37 BC Women's Centres effective March 31, 2004.
• In the Fall of 2005 NSDP buys the building they occupy at 3772 1st Avenue in Smithers. This large structure also contains a sizeable warehouse, a workshop and considerable space to be developed into offices. Renovations take place, and the Pregnancy Outreach Program is moved from its rental location in Smithers to the building owned by NSDP. All other office spaces, the warehouse, the workshop, and the storage shed are rented out, and the building is quickly fully occupied and generating revenue.
• December 18, 2004 NSDP hosts a reading of the CBC's program 'A Christmas Carol' and raises $1600 for Specialized Victim Services.
• In 2005 NSDP receives funding for the Caring Companion Program, to provide visiting services to the elderly.

2006 - 2008

• In 2006 Stopping the Violence (STV) Outreach Services to the entire Bulkley Valley are started and CWWS and STV counseling services are established in Houston BC.
• The BVLD Domestic Violence Court Steering Committee is developed. The committee includes community and First Nations members from Hazelton, Smithers, Houston and Burns Lake, victim services, and criminal justice stakeholders like RCMP, Judiciary, Community Corrections, Ministry of Children and Family Development, etc. The goal is to seek to develop a unique way of handling domestic violence within the court system. This project was started by Judge Bill Jack after he read "The Yukon Initiative" which outlines the project in Whitehorse.
• December 2006 NSDP hosts another reading of the CBC program 'A Christmas Carol' and raises $2,200.
• In a storm, several trees are blown down on top of Passage House - renovations are carried out.
• On March 8, 2007, NSDP Executive Director Carol Seychuk is honored for her work on behalf of women in the community.
• May 2007, Passage House is mortgage free, and completely owned by NSDP.
• The annual Diva concert raises $2400 for NSDP.
• In 2007 the Varying Protective Conditions Protocol was signed off. Police Based Victim Services, Specialized Victim Services, RCMP, Crown Counsel, Community Corrections, and Court Services documented a process for varying conditions that includes the victim having an interview with Victim Services and their wishes being taken into account by the Crown Counsel and the Judge when decisions are made. This protocol includes several adjustments to current procedures that strengthens communication and safety.
• As of March 31, 2008, NSDP operates 15 programs and has an annual budget of over a million dollars, all under the leadership of Carol Seychuk, the Executive Director, and a Board of Directors with seven members.
• May 2008 a Staff and Board retreat is held at Driftwood Lodge.
• In October 2008 NSDP was proud to present internationally renowned anti-violence social activist Jackson Katz. Jackson made presentations to highschool students from Hazelton, Smithers and Houston, spoke at a public presentation and an invitation-only breakfast for community leaders. In total he spoke to almost 1000 people while he was in Smithers.

2009 - present

• In January 2009 the Smithers Sexual Assault Protocol was signed off. Overseen by the Smithers Community Coordination for Women's Safety (CCWS) committee, the sexual assault project is comprised of 3 major sections: the development of a sexual assault protocol signed off by the BV District Hospital, Passage Transition House, Specialized Victim Services, Police Based Victim Services, RCMP and the Ministry of Children and Family Development; training in interview techniques for RCMP, Crown Counsel and MCF social workers; training for BV District Hospital staff and local physicians by BC Women's Hospital. The Sexual Assault Protocol includes new processes agreed to by the hospital and the RCMP around storage of forensic evidence for up to one year in the hospital for those victims who are not ready to report to the RCMP at the time of their medical. It also includes processes for Third Party Reporting, whereby Specialized Victim Assistance can take a report on a sexual assault, given by a victim who's identity stays confidential, to the RCMP.
• Continuing with the sexual assault project overseen by the CCWS, 4 days training in the Step-Wise interview techniques were held March 10 - 13, 2009. This training was for RCMP, Crown Counsel, Victim Services and MCF social workers. The trainers were Wendy van Tongeren Harvey and Dr John Yuille. One day was devoted to interviewing children. Volunteer children participated by watching a children's movie, then being interviewed by 2 adults who will use rapport-building and trust-building to ask the children about the movie they saw. One day was devoted to interviewing adults, who will be volunteers who have some acting experience.
• 20th Anniversary of Passage Transition House, presented by Smithers Art Gallery March 31 to April 25.

• Annual General Meeting for Northern Society for Domestic Peace in June 2009 - honored Carol Seychuk, Executive Director, for her 20 years of dedicated work around increasing safety and support for women and children. Carol presided over the birth of Northern Society for Domestic Peace through the creation of a society that began with one program - Passage Transition House. Northern Society for Domestic Peace, as it stands today, has 10 programs and about 25 staff.
• Fall 2009, the Northern Society for Domestic Peace, in partnership with Woodmere Nurseries, created the Peace Wreath as a fundraiser. The wreaths sold out.
• September 2010 - completion of the BVLD Domestic Violence 'Court Option' proposal for an 18 month Pilot Project was sent out to multiple government departments. This represents a five year project by the BVLD Domestic Violence Justice Response Steering Committee. Through this project several protocols were written, training was held, and strong relationships were formed by the members of the steering committee. The steering committee includes representatives from Judiciary, RCMP, Crown Counsel, Probation, MCF, Northern Society for Domestic Peace , reps from the communities of Hazelton, Smithers, Houston and Burns Lake, and reps from First Nations groups.
• Spring 2010, Northern Society for Domestic Peace was approached by a local hotel owner (Bonnie Reid with Hudson Bay Lodge) with a fundraising idea that had been done in Prince Rupert the year before:

The Mz Judged Pageant 2010

In the spirit of the International White Ribbon Campaign where men speak out against men's violence against women, Mz Judged is a satire on the beauty pageant, and all the contestants are men. Our event was held on November 13, 2010, with 19 local men participating, and the 400 seats were sold out over 2 weeks in advance.

• White Ribbon Campaign
• Mz Judged Pageant poster
• Mz Judged: Northern Society for Domestic Peace press release October 20, 2010

This fundraiser was a huge success, netting us $23,000 which will be used to fund men's programs. For more information and lots of great pictures of our event, click on the 'Initiatives and Events' tab at the top of this page.

to be continued......