Duo travels Hudson coast teaching self-defence to women
Cindy Girard and Jean-François-Éric Isabel stress confidence comes through knowing how to fight back
Cindy Girard, left, and Jean-François-Éric Isabel have travelled across Quebec to teach self-defence to women, and currently are visiting Nunavik communities. (Photo courtesy of Ellie – Autodéfense)
It takes more than just fighting skills to defend yourself in a confrontation, according to Cindy Girard and Jean-François-Éric Isabel.
It also requires self-confidence.
The couple formed Ellie – Autodéfense as a means to teach that to women and girls, and sometimes men. Their latest stop was Salluit, but since May they have been visiting Nunavik communities along the Hudson coast under contract with the Inuulitsivik Health Centre.
Isabel said the duo was surprised at first to get the call.
“But then again, it may never happen again, so we were excited to go,” he said.
Although Isabel is highly trained in multiple martial arts, he offers instruction that nearly anyone could learn in just a few hours.
“Everything that we do needs to be simple and accessible,” he said. “Our clients can vary from five-year-old girls to a 76-year-old lady with a cane.”
Girard, meanwhile, offers woman-to-woman reassurance and training to help use what Isabel teaches them.
“Women often think they are weaker, less capable,” she said, adding the pair starts with confidence building.
Then, when the women discover they can defend themselves, “they take great pride in that,” said Girard.
The two coaches feel that this dynamic makes the space more welcoming for women.
“I have had some women who had difficulty even entering the room when [Jean-François-Éric] is there,” said Girard. “But I can be there and reach them, work with them.”
The training ends up being quick, she said, over a single day.
Reaction to their visits in Nunavik communities has been positive, they say.
“There is one lady, it is the third time we go to Salluit and it is the third time she has signed up,” said Girard.
In their instruction, the couple focus on real-world examples of altercations clients might face and work to help them learn how to handle it.
They focus on developing reflexes, said Girard, because in these moments people generally don’t have time to think about what they’re doing.
“We know that adrenaline kicks in, tunnel vision happens and fine motor skills are out the window,” she said.
Because most physical assaults happen in a place a person is familiar with, they focus on teaching self-defence in settings such as in their home or on their way to work.
“These environments have tables, couches, chairs, counters — these are prone to creating serious injuries,” especially when there is a fight, Isabel said.
“It’s about ensuring your security, and being able to come home to the people we love.”
Both instructors have full-time jobs in Drummondville, Que., where they live with their children and dogs.
Over the next few months, the couple will continue travelling the Hudson coast and finish their contract in the summer. In two weeks, they return to Puvirnituq.
“We love going to the North,” said Girard, “if we are invited to another community, it will be our pleasure to come.”
This could cause more violence for women.
Self defence should be taught to everyone. But, I’m concerned about how these programs just pop up in Nunavik. Everyday there’s something new going on, among the nothingness of accomplishing anything worth, while in a messed up society. Payments go out for all these program , and neon lighted gift boxes, t- shirts, and handbags with logos written on it, that cost too much money. Waste is what I call it. Waste and useless among not addressing life issues in more human and caring ways, like just, hire some southern agency, pay dearly and make believe everything will be fine. Nunavik gets worse over time. Using superficial, an uselessness, all hidden behind meaningful goals with no heart and soul.
To make money for themselves, cause they couldn’t do it down South.
They may not have the license or permit.
They couldn’t open their businesses down there.
To make fast,easy money.
Violence against females in the north is a huge problem. This cannot be downplayed. It has to be the worst thing about living up north.
If women feel they want this training, it should be available. It sounds like women of all ages are signing up to take it, so that should be supported, big time.
A ton of things in the justice field have been tried and are not working well, so at the end of the day, if a lady has the ability to send an attacker packing, there is no downside to that.
That this group was approached to come by a northern agency says it all. I got zero patience for people saying this is a cultural or north versus south thing. Whoever asked them to come should get a medal.
People should feel and be safe, period.
Bertrand, what you’re attempting to point out, makes it appear you’re on to something, and in a way, you are. Self defence for the vulnerable and abuse female in our society. What can be any better given the outrageous abuse by men here in Nunavik. You know I would go further to train the many men also that could help protect these women, and not forget the teenage kids or any kid that has grown enough to take that training. And mostly I would encourage police and first line workers to train adequately. That being said, I would encourage more programs on family dynamics and communication and compassion in community. The part you’re missing is the continuous rip off and poor quality, un certified waste we get from most every program that comes into our territory. It’s a joke how much of this is making things worse for Nunavik. We see it in everything everywhere every day. You need to observe more about the situation. These programs, most of them are taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of Nunavik. These people do better for all if they don’t come. And the one inviting them should be dismissed.