Benoit First Nation

Youth Justice

• The Indigenous Justice Strategy

Ktaqmukuk Youth & Restorative Justice Strategy

The Flat Bay Band Inc. (Nokmaw Village) is in the early stages of a 3-year agreement with Justice Canada to develop the Restorative Justice committees in all of the Mikmaq communities on the island portion of Newfoundland, outside of the Conne River Reserve. This is an expansion of the Ktaqmukuk Youth & Restorative Justice Strategy that has existed since 2014.

Communities:
• Flat Bay,
• BSG South,
• Burgeo,
• St. Georges,
• Stephenville & Stephenville Crossing,
• Port au Port,
• Benoit First Nation,
• Benoits Cove,
• Corner Brook,
• Northern Peninsula,
• Gander,
• Grand Falls.

The focus is primarily on engaging Mikmaw youth participation in Restorative Justice. As per Minister Andrew Parsons announcement in 2018, the province is adapting a Restorative Justice model similar to Nova Scotia.

Our role is to customize the following Restorative Justices services to reflect to the Mikmaw profile in Newfoundland, so as to;

• -Establish special measures for young and Indigenous offenders,
• -Improve the system’s ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate young and Indigenous offenders, and
• -Increase the use of measures outside the court process when addressing types of less-serious offending.

Twelve (12) committees will be established on the island early in 2021. These committees will include and support culturally confident youth and community mentors.

We will train and provide funds & resources to support each committee in delivering culturally based community services.

These services will include:

• Customized Cultural Capacity Training (for Justice,
• Family & Mental Health service-providers) Community Accountability Circles
• Healing and Sentencing Circles
• Advocacy for those suffering from Mental Health & Addictions
• and a Supportive Reporting service new to Canada!

In the coming months, meetings will take place to establish four (4) representatives for each of the 12 Mikmaw communities.

In 2022, the committees should be ready to provide these services in the communities. A call for Committee Representatives will be launched early in December 2020. In the meantime, individuals from these communities who require assistance with court-related documents and navigating the criminal justice system are welcome to reach out for guidance.

For more information contact: Erica McDonnell Restorative Justice Strategy Coordinator ericamcdflatbayband@gmail.com 1-709-647-1370

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