the smallest steps

07/03/2024

Have you heard of the Heart Work Conference? If not, you need to check out this FREE/PWYC virtual event happening March 19-21, 12noon - 4:30pm ET.

Organized by WomenatthecentrE, the Heart Work Conference is a multi-day event to explore eradicating gender-based violence through transformative practices, activism and advocacy, arts-based facilitators, and most importantly, survivor-led practices.

The conference features a wide array of knowledgeable, inspiring speakers and, guess what? 'the smallest steps' is being screened on March 21 as part of the conference!

Learn more about this important event, and register today, at: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/heartwork-conference/registration

Image reposted from WomenatthecentrE

14/02/2024

February 14 is a prime day to talk about healthy relationships and gender-based violence. Of course, as any activist knows, progress in the work to end gender-based violence isn’t always readily apparent. It's not exactly a subject people like to talk about, and change toward a world without violence can be “incremental as hell”, as Bonnie Brayton, National Executive Director of DAWN Canada ( Canada ), puts it in our documentary.

But our actions DO have impacts, and the story behind this upcoming musical event demonstrates how our actions can ripple outwards in unexpected ways.

You see, back in September 2022, we held the world premiere of 'the smallest steps' in Ottawa, ON and it just so happened that local composer Jack Hui Litster was in the audience.

At the time, Jack was at the beginning stages of writing a new musical composition and he wanted to dedicate it to three women activists from past generations. After the screening of our film, he contacted us to see if we could help jumpstart his research into Canadian women leaders throughout history. One meeting (and a couple Ottawa Public library books () later, and Jack was off to the research races.

This year, Jack completed his Requiem. And guess what? He ended up dedicating it to not three, but 14 different women! This means that not only will event attendees get to experience some phenomenal music, but they will be introduced to the powerful stories of 14 women who have changed Canada for the better. Who knows? Maybe there will be someone in the audience inspired to learn more, dig deeper, and get involved in ending gender-based violence as a result of this event.

The point is, even when you think your anti-violence work isn’t getting anywhere, trust that you are having an impact. You might not see the ripples your actions are making, but someone, somewhere is taking their own unique steps for change because of you!

10/02/2024

We’ve recently learned about a wonderful new podcast project created by the Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

The podcast is called 'She is your Neighbour', and it features the stories of survivors alongside episodes with anti-violence researchers, activists, and advocates.

So far, there are 3 complete seasons, each focused on a different theme, and the 4th is underway:

➡Season 1: Addressing Misconceptions
➡Season 2: Experts and Advocates
➡Season 3: Survivor Series
➡Season 4: Understanding Femicide (in progress)

There’s so much to learn from this podcast. We definitely encourage you to check it out!

Website: SheIsYourNeighbour.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheisyourneighbour/ ()
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/

About the Podcast:
She Is Your Neighbour is an awareness project and storytelling series created by Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. The project explores the realities and complexities of domestic violence by sharing stories from people of all walks of life.

Through the podcast and prevention series, the intersectionality of domestic violence is highlighted. The podcast’s goal is to increase awareness, build understanding, and shift public perception so domestic violence is viewed as a societal problem that everyone has a role in ending.

The shame and stigma surrounding domestic violence can make it difficult to talk about, but this won’t change unless we have difficult conversations.

The reality is domestic violence is happening; it impacts people in all neighbourhoods and we all have a role a play in ending domestic violence.

To learn more about She Is Your Neighbour or to listen to the podcast at SheIsYourNeighbour.com or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or anywhere else that podcasts are found.

04/02/2024

Twin Flames' song, Hearts on Fire, which they wrote for our documentary, was released on LIVE 88.5 FM yesterday!!!

It's so cool to hear it on the radio and know it's bringing attention to the issue of violence against women!!!

Congrats Twin Flames! 🔥 🎉 🤩

26/01/2024

If you’ve ever seen our documentary, you know that the film opens with a song that gives you goosebumps. 🥰

As we see women stepping into their power and finding their voices across generations, the music swells and the vocals ring out:

🎶 “Your heart is heavy and your heart’s on fire”. 🎶

This one line perfectly captures the mix of sadness, pain, and anger, but also hope, that many activists feel when working to end violence against women. ✊

The song, titled 'Hearts on Fire', was written and composed for 'the smallest steps' by musical duo Twin Flames (), and as of this week, you can finally listen to it in full because they've released it as the FIRST SINGLE for their newest, upcoming album!!!

You can check out this beautiful song on our website SmallestSteps.ca or on Twin Flames' website: TwinFlamesMusic.com

We could not be more thankful to have had the opportunity to work with this phenomenal team (shout out to Byron Pascoe from for connecting us!). It's so exciting to have the song they wrote for our documentary finally be released for the world to hear! Enjoy! 🎶

Photo of Twin Flames by Sean Sisk

31/12/2023

As everyone prepares to welcome a new year, we're celebrating the accomplishments and impacts we've had with 'the smallest steps' documentary in 2023!

From both virtual and in-person screenings to securing a distributor and donating to anti-violence organizations, we're really proud of all we've achieved this year. We look forward to doing more in 2024!

Read all about our activities: SmallesSteps.ca

And help us continue to spread the word about this important film!

23/12/2023

Happy holidays everyone! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday and an exciting, abundant, and smallest steps-filled 2024! ✊👣😁

03/12/2023

Please see this exciting workshop taking place on December 6th at the Bronson Centre!

03/12/2023

Looks like fun!!!

Posted • 🪩Join us for a feminist dance party Friday, December 8th during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence! While this is a time to mobilize and take action, it is also a time to connect with our feminist comrades and celebrate our collective efforts. Burn up the dancefloor with DJ Avenue and DJ del Pilar as we celebrate and honour the often unacknowledged and unpaid work of the activists who keep our movements thriving!

All ticket sales will support the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women ( )!

7:00 pm-8:00 pm – Come mingle and meet other feminist organizers, workers, advocates, and rabble-rousers. Bring some swag or materials from your organization to share.

8:00 pm-12:00 am – Dance party!

Get your ticket ($12) today via the link in our bio! If ticket prices are a barrier, please email us at [email protected] and we will put a ticket aside for you at the door.

🪩Rejoignez-nous pour une soirée dansante féministe le vendredi 8 décembre pendant les 16 jours d'activisme contre la violence basée sur le genre. Il s'agit d'une période de mobilisation et d'action, mais également d'un moment de connexion avec nos camarades féministes et une occasion de célébrer nos efforts collectifs. Enflammez la piste de danse avec DJ Avenue et DJ del Pilar pour célébrer et honorer le travail souvent non reconnu et non rémunéré des activistes qui assurent l’épanouissement de nos mouvements!

Toutes les ventes de billets appuieront la Coalition d'Ottawa pour l'élimination de la violence faite aux femmes (COCVFF)!

19 h - 20 h - Venez rencontrer d'autres organisatrices, travailleuses, militantes et militantes féministes. Apportez du matériel de votre organisme à partager.

20 h 00-12 h 00 - Soirée dansante!

Procurez-vous votre billet (12$) via le lien dans notre bio. Si le prix des billets est un obstacle, envoyez-nous un courriel à [email protected] et nous mettrons un billet de côté pour vous à la porte.

27/11/2023

Next Wednesday is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

If you are in Ottawa, please attend this year's vigil at 6pm in Minto Park!

Please invite your networks!

Reposted from

30/09/2023

September 30 is Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

"For a period of more than 150 years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation children were taken from their families and communities to attend schools which were often located far from their homes. More than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned." (Residential School History, NCTR)

On this day, we remember and honour the Survivors of Canada’s residential schools, the children who never returned home from these facilities, and the families and communities impacted.

We also don orange as part of Orange Shirt Day, which is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day to raise awareness of the inter-generational impacts of residential schools. The orange shirt was chosen to reflect Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation member and a former residential institution student Phyllis Webstad's experience of being stripped of her brand new orange shirt when she arrived at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School back when she was only six years old.

Through wearing an orange shirt today, we acknowledge the culture and freedom that was stripped from generations of Indigenous children who went through the residential school system; we acknowledge and believe the truth of their experiences; and we reaffirm, unconditionally, that .

16/08/2023

Here is your chance to help end gender-based violence through awareness building, education and by amplifying the voices of survivors. Join IHO team.

Complete description can be viewed at: https://www.intervalhouseottawa.org/employment

05/08/2023

Start your long weekend with some positivity! 😁😊🥰

At our Hamilton screening of 'the smallest steps', journalism student Jade Deanna met someone whose story inspired her to get writing in support of an end to violence against women.

Michele (pictured here) is a single mother, activist, advocate, and survivor of violence. Since escaping abuse, she has used her voice to advocate for an end to . Through the WAVES (Women Against Violence Empowering Survivors) committee of WAWG Hamilton and other avenues, Michele now dedicates a lot of her time to helping women with similar experiences to hers.

Check out Jade's beautifully-written story of Michele's resiliency and action, and remember, even the smallest steps can lead to big change! 👣

Read the full story here: https://smalleststeps.ca/finding-her-voice/

02/08/2023

An important read.

"I often wonder if people realize that marrying the wrong mate can destroy their life. The fact that most don’t keeps me up at night."

21/07/2023

"Psychological or emotional abuse (as defined in the Domestic Abuse Act) can include:
-->manipulating a person’s anxieties or beliefs or abusing a position of trust
-->hostile behaviour or silent treatment as part of a pattern of behaviour to make the victim feel fearful
-->being insulted, including in front of others. This includes undermining an person’s ability to parent or ability to work
-->keeping a victim awake
-->using violence or threats towards pets to intimidate the victim and cause distress
-->threatening to harm third parties
-->using social media sites to intimidate the victim
-->persuading a victim to doubt their own sanity (known as “gaslighting”)."

According to the texts shared by his ex girlfriend, Jonah Hill had a series of prohibitions for her behaviour during their relationship. He described these as his ‘boundaries’.

21/07/2023

Toronto city council declared gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic in the city on Thursday, while calling on Ontario and the federal government to do the same.

13/07/2023

One of the actions taken by 93.3 CFMU's Community Outreach Coordinator Sharang Sharma after our Hamilton Screening of 'the smallest steps' was to host an intergenerational conversation about activism to ! Featuring YWCA Hamilton's CEO Medora Uppal and McMaster University's Masters of Social Work student Samm Floren, this conversation is a rich and honest look at what different activism experiences have looked like to different generations.

Check it out on 93.3 CFMU's SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/93-3-cfmu/morningfile-intergenerational-dialogue-on-activism-against-violence-against-women?si=5c05cdd6b7a34520a1b38a3d344b1e9d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

16/06/2023

to our Hamilton Premiere of 'the smallest steps'. We had a fantastic turnout and the event led to some important impacts, including:

👣$350 raised for the Hamilton Sisters in Spirit Committee

👣A survivor new to Hamilton learning about supports available to them.

👣A volunteer from a new Hamilton-based service connecting with organizations for service referral.

👣Shelter staff connecting with Hamilton-based services to support their clients.

👣A student inspired to invite a local organization to speak at their school!

We're so thankful for all the opportunities we have to share our film and inspire folks to take action! Want to see 'the smallest steps'? The next screening is happening in . Tickets are $10 and are FREE for students.

Grab your tickets today: https://dartoxford.ca/events/film-screening-and-networking-event/

14/06/2023

Amy, one of the organizers of the June 19 Woodstock screening of 'the smallest steps' talks about the upcoming event and the important work that she and others in the Oxford community are doing to end GBV!!

14/06/2023

On June 19, these fabulous organizations are hosting a screening of our documentary in . Our film would not be available to audiences without community support.

So please take a moment to like and follow these fabulous organizations, and if you're in the area, PURCHASE YOUR TICKET TODAY: https://dartoxford.ca/events/film-screening-and-networking-event/

Early Bird Coffee Early Bird Coffee
Reel Treats Reel Treats Popcorn and Sweets
Domestic Abuse Resource Team Oxford County DART - Domestic Abuse Resource Team
Zonta Club of Woodstock Zonta Club of Woodstock Ontario
Ingamo Homes Ingamo Homes

13/06/2023

A couple weeks ago, Leighann and Nicole participated in a post-screening Q&A with the Women’s Network at Shared Services Canada. It was a really interesting discussion focused largely on advocacy over the decades.

At the end of the session, we asked this question to attendees: What is something you plan to do (big/small) to support ending violence against women?

We received many different responses, which have been anonymized and assembled in the below word cloud. It's so heartening to know that folks are taking action after watching out film! Some of the repeated ideas included: Listening, volunteering, speaking up, raising awareness, and educating others.

What about you? What will your small step for change be???

13/06/2023

23/05/2023

Hello !!! Some very hard-working and wonderful activists at Oxford County DART - Domestic Abuse Resource Team are bringing 'the smallest steps' to your community!

Tickets are $10 for adults, and ! Get them at https://dartoxford.ca/events/film-screening-and-networking-event/ (link also in bio).

We're excited to see you there!

16/05/2023

We are so excited to announce that 'the smallest steps' is now part of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (CFMDC) catalogue!

Established in 1967, CFMDC is a not-for-profit, non-commercial media arts distributor. They are a PERFECT partner for our film.

The English version of our film (with subtitles & closed captions!) can now be licensed through CFMDC for private, public, and festival screenings with the French version soon to follow. Licenses can also be purchased by libraries, schools, and post-secondary institutions for educational purposes!

To get your copy, all you need to do is email [email protected]!

14/05/2023

This morning, we're spotlighting our Hamilton premiere supporters! Without their help, we would NOT be hosting this event! Send them some love by following them on social media!

YWCA Hamilton
WAWG Hamilton
City of Hamilton
McMaster University's Gender & Social Justice Program McMaster University Faculty of Humanities
McMaster University's Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office

Some last-minute tickets are still available so be sure to get them now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hamilton-premiere-of-the-smallest-steps-tickets-609390472307

12/05/2023

We are SO EXCITED to have representatives from all these local organizations attending our event.

When you're jazzed up about getting ending gender-based violence after watching the film, you'll be able to chat with these folks to see how you can get involved!

Don't miss out on this incredible networking opportunity! Get your tickets to the event NOW! bit.ly/nbfilms

-->YWCA Hamilton
-->Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG) & Women Against Violence Empowering Survivors (WAVES) survivor's advisory group
-->McMaster University - Gender and Social Justice Program
-->John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington & Area
-->Victim Services - HPS
-->Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton Niagara
-->Indigenous Victim Services
-->Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
-->McMaster University - Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office
-->Interval House of Hamilton
-->Immigrants Working Centre
-->Native Women’s Centre
-->Mission Services of Hamilton - Inasmuch House, Willow’s Place, Emma’s Place
-->Nisa Homes Hamilton

08/05/2023

Guess what?! We're headed to to screen 'the smallest steps' documentary on May 15, 2023!

Have you got your ticket yet???
---> bit.ly/nbfilms (or link in bio)

The event is taking place on the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas and is supported by many amazing activists and supporters, including City of Hamilton McMaster University WAWG Hamilton and YWCA Hamilton

It'll be a great opportunity to meet anti-violence activists in the Hamilton community and learn where you can help make change!

Can't attend? No worries -- share our event information instead! Remember, every small step counts!

CityLAB Hamilton

An inspiring and hopeful documentary about activists across generations working to end violence against women in Canada!

06/03/2023

Happening TODAY!!! Are you in ? Then be sure to head to the screening being hosted by Nipissing University. The post-screening panel is going to be especially inspiring!!!

Join me at Nipissing University at 10 AM for a free film screening of the smallest steps. The film follows the interconnected stories of four women, each beginning their own journey to end violence against women in Canada. The screening will be followed by a panel, which I am honoured to be a part of.
Registration is appreciated but not needed: https://www.nipissingu.ca/events/smallest-steps-film-screening-and-community-networking

02/03/2023

So exciting to have folks like Anna and Sarah hosting screenings of 'the smallest steps' and sharing their own knowledge and activism with others!

If you're in , you should definitely attend. The post-screening panel is going to be incredibly inspiring!

Organizers screening a documentary at Nipissing University next week hope to inspire students and others to take small steps to end violence against women. To find out more, we spoke with Sarah Clermont, a sexual violence prevention and education coordinator, and Anna Przadnowek, an assistant profes...