A NEED FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation has recently undertaken a strategic planning process for the future direction of the Corporation. This has resulted in a new corporate mandate, which is to further expand the Restorative Justice Program and to service the needs of all NAN First Nations. Presently, the program only services twenty (20) of the forty-nine (49) NAN First Nations.

A definite need has been identified by frontline workers for this programming - with direct community benefits such as accepting responsibility for one's own behaviour, increased community involvement and healing being identified.

If all NAN communities were involved in the Restorative Justice Program, not only would the justice system as a whole benefit in terms of reducing necessary court visits, it would also significantly reduce the costs incurred in order to administer the justice system in the North. A transfer in case load and a change in the means of administering justice would also occur, albeit in a relatively minor way with only less serious offences being dealt with under Restorative Justice. The end result would enable First Nations to participate and administer their own justice in a way that is more aptly suited to their particular spiritual and traditional needs. Growth and further local empowerment is our ultimate objective.

HOW DOES THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM BENEFIT OUR SPONSORS AND/OR FUNDERS?

Possessing the satisfaction and receiving recognition for contributing to the success of an innovative program like Restorative Justice in the North is one superb, beneficial reason. Gaining community support from organizations both in the public and private sector is inherent to the method of justice that we provide in the North. It is community driven.

Restorative Justice is a community based program operated through and by the community at large. It is always beneficial to become involved in an approach that not only improves the lives of those we reach through Restorative Justice but also an approach where one can truly make an impact and positive difference for the entire community, no matter their level of involvement.