Volunteers sit in a circle during the demonstration of a healing circle Wednesday afternoon in Saskatoon. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Alternative Forms of Justice

Symposium learns about different methods of justice

Nov 8, 2019 | 12:00 PM

Restorative Justice was on the agenda at the Prince Albert Grand Council’s (PAGC) First Nation Policing and Indigenous Justice Symposium Wednesday in Saskatoon.

Delegates at the convention got the opportunity to see a demonstration of a healing circle. The circle brings together the offender, the victim along with a number of supports which can include social workers, police and elders working under the direction of a facilitator.

Gayle Desmeules, put together the demonstration and acted as the facilitator. Desmeules explained the healing circle has a history in Indigenous communities.

“Traditionally native people have always resolved challenges or conflicts in this way, when there’s been wrongdoing, harm done, harm caused, they would sit in a circle and have an open discussion,” she said.

Sitting in a circle symbolizes Wahkohtowin, which comes from Cree natural law and stresses the equality of all living things.

Final numbers

Local RM results finalized

6h ago

Commitment

Hildebrand commits to Bemidji State in NCAA DI, first NCAA commitment in Raiders history

8h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

9h ago

The demonstration Wednesday saw conference members take part in a circle where they worked to deal with an assault at a youth group home. During the demonstration the incident was talked about with both the offender and the victim getting the chance to be heard. This saw the offender take responsibility and a plan put in place which allowed for the offender to make amends. Preventing further problems came in also with the development of a plan to help the offender deal with their issues.

Desmeules said the circle has a much different aim when compared with a court of law, specifically in its broad approach.

“If it was dealt with in just pure disciplinary, the youth would feel more like they’re a bad person, they don’t measure up,” she said.

Restorative, or Reintegrative Justice as a concept stresses disapproval of the bad behavior but does not push the offender out of the community. The process brings forward the seven sacred teachings which are truth, love, respect, courage, wisdom, humility and honesty.

Desmeules explained putting on an actual demonstration provided those who took part along with observers a chance to see the practice in action. Wednesday was the first time she put on a demonstration for such a large group.

“What I heard them say is that, I get it now, I understand what this feels like and looks like,” she said.

Deseules added she is seeing the practice catching on across the country, especially in Alberta where there are 144 youth justice committees. She said the strategy is operating both on and off reserve and in Mètis communities. Besides Indigenous communities, Deseules said the concept is also being used in schools looking to change their situations.

“It is very much growing,” she said.

–

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn