By Bryan Eneas

Red Earth Cree Nation taking steps towards their own justice system

Nov 23, 2016 | 9:00 AM

It turns out the fourth time is the charm for the Red Earth Cree Nation.

Due to unforeseen factors, a justice forum at the Red Earth Cree Nation (RECN) had been delayed on three separate occasions. Despite freezing rain and snow, students, Elders and community members came together to learn about First Nations law and justice.

Chief Ian Mckay said the Cree Nation has the legislative foundation in place to implement their own justice system.

“For too long, our people have developed a very narrow view on that term, justice,” Mckay said. “For a lot of our members it involves policing, enforcements, charges, conviction, jail, probation, parole, and whatnot.”

Mckay said RECN leadership wants to provide a more positive view of what justice means in a First Nations sense.

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“It’s not always about conflict with the law. It’s about making sure that the systems of government that we have encourage a positive lifestyle,” Mckay said.

Sol Sanderson, Paul Chartrand and Earl Stevenson, all First Nations specialists with varying legal and political backgrounds, addressed band members.

Sanderson, a former chief and current senator of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, led the forum, speaking to people about the inherent and Treaty rights to justice.

“Inherent rights to empowering include governing all your internal affairs. All your external affairs,” Sanderson said.

Chartrand, a retired professor of law who was a commissioner for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, touched on a wide variety of legal topics.

Stevenson of Boudreau Law in Winnipeg explained a few different First Nations justice systems in Canada. He cited the Tsuu T’ina Peacemaking Court as one example.

The Peacemaking Court was the first indigenous court in Canada. It gave Tsuu T’ina Nation in Alberta jurisdiction over criminal, bylaw and youth offences committed in their territory. The court uses peacemaking traditions to deal with incidents and come to an agreement between parties.

Stevenson praised the leadership of the RECN for the steps they were taking.

“Since Red Earth is very much moving forward in its justice initiatives, I’d like to commend RECN for its work,” Stevenson said.

Mckay and a few of his councillors will be making a trip to Ottawa next week to present the initial work the community has done to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.

According to material handed out at the forum, the call to implement change came from within the community. At the first meeting Sept. 20, 2015, community members raised concerns about the prevalence of drugs and alcohol on the RECN. After this meeting, the justice committee was formed. On March 2, 2016 the community was presented with the legislative process leadership would take to develop a justice system.

Mckay said there is still much to do and he and his councillors will continue to consult with membership every step of the way.

“They’re the ones who will be building on this justice system, of our people, for our people, by our people.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas