Corrections & Healing

File contains a presentation by Brian Espaniel. Espaniel discusses his groups views on the operation of the Justice System in Canada, and recommends a policy of "aftercare" to rehabilitate Aboriginal offenders. Following the presentation is a discussion between Espaniel and Commissioners Wilson and Blakeney on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Don Auger relating to the legal system and an Aboriginal system of justice. He provides background on the justice system Aboriginals used pre-contact and states that the present Canadian justice system "does not address problems specific to Aboriginal people." Auger leaves with the Commission a glossary of legal terms translated into Ojicree, Northwest Ojibwe and Cree. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Harriet Arcand, Elder, Aboriginal Women's Council of Saskatchewan. Arcand raises concerns about Aboriginal youth in correctional centres, the issues they face due to neglect, and the dysfunctionality of the system. Arcand also comments on funding for her women's organization. Following her statement she discusses some of these issues with Commissioner Georges Erasmus.

This file contains a presentation by Jeff Loenen, Deloras Huff and James Mackay relating to the Native Brotherhood of the Edmonton Maximum Security Institution. The Native Brotherhood is incorporated presently under the Societies Act in Alberta as a not-for-profit organization whose objectives are to promote native culture and spirituality at the Institution. The group offers sweat lodge ceremonies, drumming ceremonies, elders' meetings and family support groups. But with the recent change in status of the Institution from medium to maximum security, a number of programs have been cut.

The file contains a presentation by Jim MacLatchie and Lisa Allagaier, John Howard Society of Canada. MacLatchie and Allagaier discuss the composition, mandate, and work of the society with Canada's prison population and particularly with respect to Aboriginal prisoners. They discuss the importance of establishing Aboriginal representation amongst prison staff, and particularly the important role of Elders in the penal environment. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners thank the presenters and comment on the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Margaret Ruda, Saskatchewan Native Addictions Council Corporation. Ruda, a Metis woman and "interested individual" in the Battlefords presents on the justice system, and questions whether it actually treats offenders in any substantive way. Following the presentation is a discussion between Ruda and Commissioner Erasmus on justice issues.

File contains a presentation made by Senator Vital Morin for the Métis Society of Saskatchewan on the topic of the justice system pertaining to native communities. Also contained are comments and questions from the assembled Commissioners and those of the Commissioner-of-the-Day.

File contains a presentation by Mike Cardinal. Cardinal, who is area supervisor for Native Counselling Services in High Level, discusses what his organization is and relates its history. Cardinal then discusses the organizations programming, particularly with relation to the justice system. Following the presentation is a discussion between Cardinal, Robinson, Dussault, and Beaulieu with regard to Native Counselling Services.

The file contains a presentation by Peter Paradis. Paradis, a Staff Counselor at Newberry House (a half-way house), discusses the mandate direction of the Royal Commission, action plan suggestions and implementation, and the relationship between the Royal Commission, the Canadian State, and the political process. Following Paradis' critique, Commissioners Dussault and Sillett respond to some of the points he raises. Following this is a closing prayer to convene the day's sitting of the Commission.

File contains a presentation by Renee K. Abram, Coordinator of the Ontario Literacy Coalition. Abram discusses the history of her organization and "the healing that is taking place in the communities at this time in the form of Native literacy programs." Following the presentation is a discussion between Abram and Commissioners Dussault, Wilson, and Blakeney on literacy issues.

The file contains a presentation by Wes Whetung and Sanford Cottrelle of Newberry House (a halfway house). Whetung and Cottrelle discuss the prison system and Aboriginal offenders offering a comparative view of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal halfway houses, compensation for former residential school residents, accessible moneys to implement both cultural and non-cultural programs for children and youth, and stereotypes of Aboriginal people in text-books. Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Tony Murdoch and Con Graham of the Battlefords Adult Diversion Project. Murdoch delivers a presentation describing the project which exists to reconcile non-dangerous adult offenders with their victims under the direction of a mediator. Murdoch describes the program and its success, as well as the ethnic makeup of the participants (roughly 50% Non-Aboriginal and 50% Aboriginal). Following the presentation Murdoch discusses the program and its particulars with Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus.

States that a lack of education contributes to higher incarceration rates which in turn has a greater cost to society than adequate education programs.

Nine elders in discussion at Saddle Lake Reserve. They talk about aspects of life before contact with whites, Treaty #6, the history of amalgamations and land sales, and a traditional story of a boy raised by buffalo.

Communication, Continuing, and Vocational Education Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Saskatchewan, 1987.

Satsan (Herb George), President of the National Centre for First Nations Governance, speaks at the Symposium on Reconciliation in Toronto, Ontario, February, 2011. Duration: 5:06. Part 1 of 5.

Describes the destruction caused by the forced relocation of Aboriginal children into the residential school system.

Most statistics from the 2001 Census. Chapter from Canadian Youth: Who are They and What Do They Want?.

Discusses five themes which emerged during meetings with focus groups: barriers to implementation, facilitators of implementation, role of the community, concern for victims, and successes of the Section designed to address overrepresentation of Aboriginals in federal prisons.

Published as part of the Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform. Identifies gaps in research on the implications of FAS for the justice system.

Excerpt from author's discussion paper, Surfing the Flux: Exploring the Roots of the Aboriginal Healing Perspective (Rough Draft, March, 1994). Note: This is a sample article from the publication. Subscriptions are available from the Native Law Centre.

Sources include: government publications, journal articles, documents produced by organizations, and books.

Looks at challenges faced by programs in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Criminology Thesis (M.A.)--University of Ottawa, 2013.

Discusses the importance of contextual sentencing for Aboriginal offenders within the context of section 718.2(e) of the Canadian Criminal Code.

Law Thesis (L.L.M.)--Queen's University, 2012.

Includes general explanation of when and how to apply criteria for a sentencing circle, what the rules are that govern a circle, and sentencing options to consider. Note: This is a sample article from the publication. Subscriptions are available from the Native Law Centre.

Commentary on the decision on s. 718 of the Criminal Code, aimed at reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal peoples in the prison system by using alternate sentencing methods.

Educational Psychology Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2013.

Discussion of issues surrounding teaching Inuit and possible strategies to accommodate cultural differences in the corrections classroom.

Purpose of the article is to compare how legal regulation of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal girls overlapped and differed based on race, class, and gender oppression.

Investigation into the death of a sixteen year old youth who became ill while incarcerated at a Youth Residence and was denied entitlement to healthcare services and reasonable accommodation based on a hearing impairment.

Concluding remarks regarding six papers published in this issue and presented at a conference entitled Changing Punishment at the Turn of the Century in Saskatoon, September,1999.

Human and Social Development (M.A.)--University of Victoria, 2007.

Study examines the interview responses of 30 Indigenous Americans who have been convicted of murder to understand different factors that have contributed to their crime. Results find social disorganization, economic deprivation, a subculture of violence, cultural conflict, perceived powerlessness, substance abuse, and internalized colonialism to all be contributing factors.

Comments on initiatives to reduce prison populations especially aboriginal offenders.

Focuses on violence experienced by women and girls, over-representation of First Nations children in the child welfare system, gap in educational attainment, over-representation of Aboriginal women in the federal penitentiary system, and gender-based discrimination in legislation.

Selections from a the report, which revealed a dramatic increase of Aboriginal Peoples in the federal penitentiary system. Entire issue on one pdf. To locate article, scroll to page 7.

Fourteen Correctional Service of Canada employees participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Goal was to determine what strategies or interventions had proven effective.

Looks at the treatment a Native American received while in prison.

Politics, Judicial Administration Thesis (M.A.)--Brock University, 1994.

Law Thesis (LL.M.)--The University of British Columbia (Vancouver), 2013

Comments on strategies in wellness plans that can be used by offenders when integrating back into the community.

Report looks at engagement with Aboriginal offenders and new Aboriginal specific interventions which respect the diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

Sociology Thesis (Ph.D.)--Brigham Young University, 2000.

Reports on current legal and associated services offered in the state, government initiatives addressing family violence, and results from consultations about experiences with the legal system.

Examines the validity and clinical utility of the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) with Indigenous offenders.

Examines the American judicial system, high rates of Indian incarceration and Indian spiritual values and practices.