Advancing reconciliation requires supporting culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led and community-based justice services, and building policies informed by the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples. These are key to achieving systemic change in our justice system.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, accompanied by Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary, and Isabel O'Soup, Tribal Chief of Yorkton Tribal Council (YTC) announced funding to support YTC in the administration of justice in their communities through their Tribal Justice Unit's programs and services.
Through their Tribal Justice Unit, YTC works with communities to develop and implement justice programs services that are sensitive to the cultural needs of the member First Nations on reserve and in the urban environment in Saskatchewan. Through this support, the Yorkton Tribal Council will:
- provide community based programs for youth in conflict with the law, utilizing victim-offender mediations, community justice forums and accountability meetings and/or conferences;
- support Community Justice Committees to build community capacity to respond to the needs of victims and offenders through public education about restorative justice and alternative measures programs; and
- organize and conduct workshops for community members related to crime prevention, youth programs, victims services, correctional programs and other community based justice programs.
The objective of these services is to encourage equal treatment and full participation of First Nations within the Canadian justice system. Long term, these programs aim to reduce rates of victimization, crime and incarceration among member First Nations people in Saskatchewan.
Justice Canada is providing the Council with $1,401,477 over five years (2021-2026) through the Indigenous Justice Program's Community Based Justice Fund.
