Balancing the Aboriginal Justice Approach

By Natalie Robins and Pierre Rousseau

Each year, the Department of Justice, in partnership with the province of British Columbia, sponsors an annual Aboriginal Justice conference in British Columbia funded by the Aboriginal Justice Strategy’s (AJS) Training & Development fund. This year, the Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society hosted a four-day conference called Through the Medicine Wheel: a Balanced Approach to Aboriginal Justice.

The conference agenda was inspired from the teachings of the Medicine Wheel, focusing on self and community balance, and wellness in all aspects of the wheel: spiritual, physical, emotional and mental. A wide range of workshops and presentations included themes such as cultural challenges, societal issues, and social justice. On the entertainment side, highlights included an opening act by percussionist Lyle Tribe who engaged the audience in a drumming session, stand-up comedian Brian Majore, and an evening of music and dancing with award-winning Winnipeg Aboriginal country rock group Eagle & Hawk.

Over the four days, participants heard from various speakers about the serious situation in many Aboriginal communities and its impact on crime rates, as well as the difficult relationship that exists between Aboriginals and the mainstream court system. Phil Gatensby from Carcross, Yukon, spoke about his own experience with the court system and how he was able to change his life, based on traditional Aboriginal teachings. His message was clear: Aboriginal cultures are a tremendous asset for Canada and the world and they need to be respected and nurtured by all of us. Larry Leischner, an instructor in Criminology at the College of New Caledonia, spoke about the tragedies resulting from early contact between newcomers, mainly from Europe, and Aboriginal Peoples in the Americas.

Bridges out of Poverty

On the second day, Jody Pfarr, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, facilitated the “Bridges out of Poverty” workshop, which focused on the needs of social service providers and those working in corrections and the legal system. In this very powerful workshop, participants became aware of the causes of poverty and the difficulties encountered in bridging the gap between poverty and other economic classes; there are similar difficulties between the middle class and the wealthy. Moving from one class to the other is very difficult and creates a “cultural” gap between the classes to the extent that when they interact, there is a strong likelihood of misunderstanding and frustration.

Mental wellness and cultural challenges

The third day focused on mental wellness and cultural challenges, including workshops and discussions on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, food as “medicine,” brain injuries, cultural programming for inmates, parole, post custody care, and reintegration. Participants learned that the combined effects of the housing, health and cultural alienation situation in a number of Aboriginal communities, plus complications with the mainstream court system including corrections, make it almost impossible to improve unless Aboriginal People restore their own social control according to their cultures and traditions. Ed Buller from Correctional Service Canada used the example of the Hollow Water program in Manitoba where sexual offenders were dealt with under the Four Circles process, in partnership with the court, the Crown and police, to reinforce this idea.

Social justice

Social justice and maintaining the balance was the focus on the last day of the conference. The highlight was undoubtedly the presentation by Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Band (Okanagan Nation) who spoke about the economic success his community has achieved in the Southern Okanagan. Chief Louie is a very powerful advocate for self-determination based on economic development. He explained the various initiatives taken by his community to control their own future by developing a series of businesses, the best known of which is the N’Kmip winery that produces award-winning wines. Chief Louie stressed that by building their own economy, First Nations can buy back their lands instead of “waiting” for the governments to “give” them something that may never come. He also explained that he believes that Aboriginal people cannot go to the people who created the problems in Aboriginal communities and expect those very same people to help Aboriginal people solve those problems. Chief Louie’s words were very frank, challenging Aboriginal people to think differently about their own future.

Other presentations on the last day included Terry Skarbo who spoke about the new funding now available from the National Crime Prevention Centre (Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada) and Mary Anne Arcand, who spoke about the problems faced by certain Aboriginal communities in maintaining the security of food and water supplies.

Despite the challenge of having only a couple of months to prepare, program Director Morgan Jamieson and her team managed to gather a dedicated group of volunteers to organize this important conference. The attendance was outstanding with two delegates from each of the 20 B.C. Aboriginal Justice Strategy programs. Approximately 140 other delegates came from across the province, the Yukon, and Western provinces, including Ontario. A number of delegates who are courtworkers with the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC appreciated the much-needed opportunity to network with AJS program coordinators.

The Department was well represented with delegates from the BC Regional Office and the Aboriginal Justice Directorate (AJD) in Ottawa, with AJD Director General François Marcoux making the opening greetings and remarks. The Prince George conference was an excellent opportunity for people who are interested in Aboriginal justice issues to not only make new friends, but to also network and get the most up-to-date information on the status of these issues in many areas of the country, particularly in British Columbia.

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