Engagement Process
The engagement process for people with lived experience was created to be adaptable to ensure the inclusion of as many participants as possible across the 14 locations visited. Justice Canada worked collaboratively with the Indigenous Liaison Officers (ILO) and Elders at each location to ensure engagement was delivered according to what worked best for the participants, location, and staff.
Justice Canada worked with each location to determine interest in advance of the visits. The ILOs and Elders prepared a visiting schedule based on the number of individuals who wanted to participate. Engagement sessions were arranged as large and small sharing circles, and one-on-one discussions. To ensure autonomy, participation was anonymous and voluntary. In addition to in-person discussions, opportunities for virtual follow-up conversations and written submissions were available.
Participants were provided with a background and discussion guide for easy reference. The guide included:
- brief descriptions on the intent of the Indigenous Justice Strategy and why Justice Canada engagement was happening
- examples of topics and questions centred around three themes:
- pre/first contact with the justice system
- during incarceration
- post-incarceration
Discussion with participants focused on what they thought was important. Justice Canada spoke with participants from all levels of security (minimum, medium and maximum) when available.
Locations of Engagement Sessions
| Minimum Security Level | Medium Security Level | Maximum Security Level |
|---|---|---|
| Dorchester Penitentiary | Archambault Institution | Collins Bay Institution |
| Archambault Institution | Collins Bay Institution | Edmonton Institution |
| Joyceville Institution | Joliette Institution for Women | Kent Institution |
| Grand Valley Institution for Women | Nova Institution for Women | Nova Institution for Women |
| Section 81 Buffalo Sage Wellness House | Grand Valley Institution for Women | Joliette Institution for Women |
| Section 81 Stan Daniels Healing House | Edmonton Institution for Women | Grand Valley Institution for Women |
| Section 81 Waseskun Healing Centre | Fraser Valley Institution for Women | Edmonton Institution for Women |
Table 1. Sites Visited - Text version
This is a 3x8 cell table listing the institutions visited sorted by security level. The top horizontal bar indicates the three following column categories: “Minimum Security Level”, “Medium Security Level”, “Maximum Security Level”.
Under the “Minimum Security Level” column the following eight locations are listed below each in their own cells.
“Dorchester Penitentiary”
“Archambault Institution”
“Joyceville Institution”
“Grand Valley Institution for Women”
“Section 81 Buffalo Sage Wellness House”
“Section 81 Stan Daniels Healing House”
“Section 81 Waseskun Healing Centre”
Under the “Medium Security Level” column the following eight locations are listed below each in their own cells.
“Archambault Institution”
“Collins Bay Institution”
“Joliette Institution for Women”
“Nova Institution for Women”
“Grand Valley Institution for Women”
“Edmonton Institution for Women”
“Fraser Valley Institution for Women”
Under the “Maximum Security Level” column the following eight locations are listed below each in their own cells.
“Collins Bay Institution”
“Edmonton Institution”
“Kent Institution”
“Nova Institution for Women”
“Joliette Institution for Women”
“Grand Valley Institution for Women”
“Edmonton Institution for Women”
Approximately 230 participants took part in this stream of engagement. In addition to speaking with Indigenous people who are currently incarcerated, Justice Canda had the opportunity to speak with Indigenous frontline workers including Elders, ILOs, Indigenous Programs Officers, and an Indigenous Probation Officer.
While Justice Canada was unable to meet with every interested party, written submissions were accepted to ensure an opportunity to contribute. In-person engagement took place from August to November 2023 with written submissions accepted until March 2024.
Participants concentrated on themes that were more applicable to them and their current placement. Those who were at the beginning of their sentence recalled the court process and first involvement with the justice system. Participants currently in maximum security primarily concentrated on access to programming and cultural supports inside the institutions. Residents at the Section 81 Healing Lodges focused on the transfer process, cultural supports in comparison to the previous institution, and preparation for release and reintegration.
Individuals at the institutions were generally wary of participating in the sessions; however, interest increased as initial conversations took place and participants recognized that an Indigenous Justice Canada representative was leading the engagement. Participants indicated that having Indigenous representation involved in the process made them feel more comfortable in sharing their experiences.
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