Introduction

The purpose of this stream of engagement was to offer Indigenous people who are currently incarcerated an opportunity to participate in the discussions that are taking place to develop the Indigenous Justice Strategy. As part of the Justice-led Wave 2 phase of engagement, and alongside the regional in-person and virtual sessions, Justice Canada visited 11 federal correctional institutions and 3 community-run Section 81 Healing LodgesFootnote 1 from across Canada.

Participants in Wave 1 identified people with lived experience with the justice system as an integral group that must be included in discussions. Justice Canada recognizes this includes those who are currently incarcerated. To ensure this group’s inclusion in the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy, Justice Canada and Correctional Service Canada (CSC) worked in partnership to develop engagement sessions for Indigenous people within federal institutions.

In addition to working with CSC, Justice Canada had the opportunity to work with community-run Section 81 Healing Lodges under the supervision of the Native Counselling Services of Alberta and Waseskun Healing Centre.

The purpose of this report is to share a summary of what we heard from participants during this stream of engagement.