Portfolio Chief

Chief Joe Antsanen
Northlands First Nation

Staff

• Roy Smith
  First Nation Justice Strategy Program Manager
• Irene young
  First Nation Justice Strategy Administrative Assistant
• David Sanderson
  Justice Director

Justice

For 2010-2011 the FNJS did not receive additional funds but continued to operate with same amount of funding as the previous fiscal year. The total reported stats (diversions) completed this fiscal year was 1237, the stats were up by 428 from previous fiscal year 2009-2010, there was 809 reported that year.

The FNJS is a joint initiative of MKO, Manitoba Justice and the Department of Justice Canada that employs a community-based justice model that emphasizes community accountability. The FNJS began in 1997 as a pilot project and now includes a Justice Director, Program Manager, Assistant Program Manager and 16 Community Justice Workers with Justice Committee members located at Pimicikamak, Norway House, Nisichawayasihk, Gods Lake, Bunibonibee, Chemawawin, Split Lake, Pukatawagan, Shamattawa, Opaskwayak, Moose Lake, Grand Rapids, Sapotaweyak, Wasagamack, Garden Hill and Lac Brochet.

The CJW’s develop and utilize culturally and community appropriate methods of dealing with court diversions (post-charge), RCMP, Band Constables and community (pre-charge).

The FNJS signed a tripartite agreement with Justice Canada and Manitoba Justice for the period of April 01, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) a special fund set aside by Justice Canada for community justice initiatives has come to end another 5 years.

Therefore, an evaluation was requested during the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the evaluation included what are the “challenges” and interviews were conducted with program managers, community justice workers, offenders/victims, court personnel (Crowns, RCMP, and Probations).

The company that did the evaluation came to the MKO office in Thompson and conducted the interviews with MKO Justice Team and interviews were done by phone for the CJW’s, Justice Committee members, offenders/victims, rural RCMP detachments, Crowns and Probations. The evaluation was positive and we hope, Justice Canada will renew AJS funding for 5 more years.

The FNJS Justice Program Manager works with Justice Canada, Manitoba Justice to ensure the flows of funds and quarterly reports (financial, statistical and narrative) reports are always on time.

The MKO Justice Team continued to implement the MKO First Nation Justice Strategy ad work with the target community Chief and Councils to address all ongoing concerns. The Justice Director and the Assistant Program Manager work with Court Services to ensure that this service continues without disruption and to ensure that a long range plan is developed for all MKO Communities to receive appropriate service delivery.

Mr. David Sanderson, MKO Justice Director works with the Grand Chief office to address Justice Issues affecting the MKO communities. These issues included Policing, Federal and Manitoba Correctional Institutes, Courts, Band Police and Adult and Youth Corrections throughout the MKO region. The Assistant Program Manager works closely with the CJW’s and Justice Committee to ensure there is more community involvement and community culturally appropriate methods are utilized.

The CJW’s attended a 2 day summit with the Aboriginal Court-workers, Manitoba Youth and Corrections staff from The Pas and Thompson during the second week of December 6 to 10, 2010 in Wpg. The Aboriginal Justice Summit had MKO Grand Chief David Harper as one guest speakers in regards to the issues & challenges of the north. The CJW’s listen to G.C. Harper as he shared his vision for a improved & self governed programs for First Nations.

The 16 CJW’s attended training in Wpg. Mb during the last week of March 28, 29, 2011. The agenda items included case management, file development and how to write updated progress reports for the crowns office, other items were public speaking, dress code, pre/post diversions and cataloguing community resources, Gladue Report, Domestic Violence and long term justice strategy planning. The CJW’s where able to tour the Winnipeg Court rooms and were able to meet different Crowns and defence lawyers.

The CJW’s attended the Community information forum with Correctional Services of Canada. The forum had speakers from the C.S.C. and they explained their roles and how they can be contacted. The topic was on early parole release for inmates who wish to apply under section 84. Participants were Community development officers, Project Manager, Parole Supervisor, MKO staff. The Forum took place in Opaskwayak at the Kikawak Inn on February 10, 11, 2011.

The FNJS long term strategy objectives/work-plans include: Resource Centre with Court room, Court Process writing skills, Paralegal skills (legal applications), Domestic Violence Certification, Peacekeepers Program to include with equipment (vehicles, skidoos, four wheelers), training for community peacemakers, Office Space Rental. Each of the CJW where giving a deadline to submit their work-plans before September 30, 2011.

Justice Director

Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director of MKO, the Justice Director will work towards the overall improvement of the delivery of justice to the First Nation communities in the MKO Region. The Justice Director assumes responsibility for researching, analyzing, evaluating, coordinating, designing, implementing and managing the MKO Justice Program policies, protocols, procedures. Provide advisory support services to MKO Justice Program and MKO Executive Management on a broad range of complex policy issues pertaining to justice. Maintain a network of community based organizations and governments. Liaise with internal/external stakeholders; develop strong interactive links with the justice system (including crown, police, judges and government staff).

Work with MKO FNJS team to educate the community at large about community justice committees, community-based justice programs, extrajudicial sanctions, alternative measures and other MKO Justice Program initiatives.

Justice Program Manager

The Justice Program Manager oversees the administration and the operation of the justice workers and justice committees. The Justice program Manager also will assist, organize and support the training for the community justice workers and committees. In addition, the Justice Program Manager promotes other community development initiatives and foster partnerships between the FNJS and other service providers in the communities. The Justice Program Manager will ensure the financial, statistical and narrative reports are forwarded to the funding partners. The Justice Program Manager will report to the Executive Director of MKO as required.

Assistant Justice Program Manager/Trainer

The Assistant Justice Program Manager/Trainer works collaboratively with the MKO First Nation Justice Team on improving the delivery of justice to the communities in the MKO region. The Assistant Justice Program Manager/Trainer works with the Justice Program Manager maintain supervising, developing community-based justice alternatives/initiatives, developing appropriate orientation and training sessions for the justice workers, justice committees, develop sanctions and processes based on the community beliefs, values, culture and spirituality. She networks internally/externally with resources to provide training on culturally appropriate programs that includes traditional methods, based on healing for the well being of an individual, families and community. In addition, the Assistant Justice Program Manager/Trainer will ensure all CJW’s activity and diversions reports are forwarded bi-weekly and quarterly. The Assistant Justice Program Manager/Trainer will report to the Justice Program Manager, MKO Executive Director as required.

Community Justice Worker

The Community Justice is responsible for the overall management of the Pre and Post charge referrals and to ensure that referrals matters are resolved through community processes. The community Justice Worker immediate supervisor’s are the MKO Program Manager, Assistant Program Manager/Trainer and reports daily to the Community Band Manager. The CJW must provide updates to Chief & Council through the Justice Portfolio Councilor or Band Manager on all justice issues as per requested. The CJW’s are respected individuals in communities who are able to work with other in resolving disputes. Unlike the court system, the CJW’s can deal with the parties in a personnel way to resolve differences, holding the wrongdoer accountable, as well as participate in healing the wounds between the wrongdoer, victim/community.

Justice Committee/Group

The justice committee/groups are made up of a wide spectrum of community members and include elders, health care professionals, spiritual leaders, lay people and others. The members of the committee bring to the process their experience as well as their familiarity with the community, understanding of their local language and customs, knowledge of the social realities of the communities they serve. They also know what other resources are available in the community to address the needs of both the wrongdoer and victim for additional healing methods.