The ASI WAY

Our History

The "Asi Way Four Elements to Change Domestic Violence" program was developed by Rogelio Sanchez, MSW of Bakersfield, California, USA in the early 1980's. Using a cognitive appraoch, he designed both a teaching framework, that he called the Four Elements to Change and a 52-week curriculum. He began using the teaching approach in his agency in 1984, primarily working with men. The teaching approach and the 52 topics proved to be highly successful and soon expanded across a large region of California. Licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, the program grew. Mr Sanchez came to Canada in 2009, invited by the FSIN to train First Nations Gambling Addictions Field Cousellors. The Four Elements approach was well recieved and deemed as "the missing link in community healing"

A collaboration with Anita Jackson, BISW, MSW, Woodlands Cree member, led to further development of the Four Elements Framework. Revisions included cultural and spiritual components that drew from traditional knowledge and expertise of Elders, traditional methodologies, First Nations tribal histories, local histories, storytelling and ceremonial considerations.

Dr. Herbert Cruz, MD, a thirty-year colleage of Mr. Sanchez and co-collaborator with the DVI development began teaching with Ms. Jackson in May 2016 when circustances drew Mr. Sanchez away from the project.

The Domestic Violence Intervention community based Training of Facilitators, our flagship program, has been delivered over the past seven years in various communities including; Stoney Rapids SK, Black Lake SK, Onion Lake FN SK, Loon Lake SK, Makwa FN SK, MLTC, Peepeekisis FN SK, Yellow Quill FN SK, Saskatchewan First Nations Child & Family Institute (SFNCFI), Sakimay FN SK. We have provided professionals with skill-based training of facilitators in La Ronge SK, Saskatoon SK, Edmonton AB, Winnipeg MB, and Charlottetown PEI.

We can come to your community or you can come to us at our quarterly training sessions. Please join our mailing list to stay up-to-date.

"The combined expertise, skills, life experience and humour between Ms. Jackson and Dr. Cruz create a great tag team! Their different styles and dynamic personalities make the training fun, engaging and enlightening! They provide good information, gave us practical skills, confidence and encouragement."

J Erasmus - Yellowknife