Jean and I worked at an awesome Community Justice Symposium earlier this month in Yellowknife. People from all over the North attended to learn about community justice programs from each other and from various presenters.
The very well-organized event was held at the Chateau Nova and was put on by the Community Justice Division of the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Department of Justice. The theme of the conference was 'Building Relationships Builds Knowledge.'
One thing I like was they had everyone stand one by one according to their birthdays. Then people paired up with a person next to them and told the person about themselves. Everyone sat in a huge circle with two rows of chairs and they introduced the person they spoke to.
The whole idea of the symposium was to provide information to the attendees to give them ideas for new programs, or how to improve programs, in their communities. To that end, we heard about community justice programs, such as victim services and survivor supports; the MenSA国际影视传媒檚 Healing Fund; emergency protection orders; the Independent Legal Advice and Representation (ILAR) Program; community policing; NWT Community Safety Officer; and NWT Guns and Gangs.
There were several community program presentations, which were very informative. I heard several people say they got good ideas for things to do back home. Presentations on community programs included Community Justice and Victims Services, by Liidlii Kue First Nation; Victim Services, by Fort Providence Metis Nation; 4Y/GLOW, etc., by the Foster Family Coalition; Justice and Victims Services, by the Tlicho Government; and the Victim Assistance Fund, by Victims Assistance Committee.
Days 2 and 3
Day 2 was very different, as it was more experiential. People learned about integrated service delivery and had a walk through justice from a clientSA国际影视传媒檚 perspective. Groups were given different scenarios and went from station to station and learned about different aspects of the justice system.
For instance, one group was Fred who lost his job and had to apply for Income Assistance. Then Fred assaulted his spouse and she filed to get an emergency protection order (EPO). This was referred to the Intimate Partner Violence Treatment Option (IPVTO) with specialized courts.
Court roles and responsibilities were also gone over by court officials like the chief judge, the sheriff, court reporter and Crown prosecutor. There was a Lived Experience Panel, which is a fancy name for people who have SA国际影视传媒渓ivedSA国际影视传媒� or gone through the system and are now doing well.
People also learned about diversion. So, what is a diversion? ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 where minor criminal matters are handled by a community justice committee and the offender does not receive a criminal record. A committee can handle minor offences like theft, mischief, breaking and entering, alcohol and drug offences, and vandalism.
Very importantly, the offender must accept responsibility for the offence. The justice committee will hear from all persons involved with the offence and attempt to create a resolution that is satisfactory to all parties.
The committee may want restorative measures, such as community service work; repair a victimSA国际影视传媒檚 damages; counselling for drug, alcohol, and relationship problems; apologizing in person or in writing; curfews; or avoiding contact with the victims.
On day 3, NWT chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola provided an overview of NWT toxic drugs and the made a presentation titled 'Drugs in the NWT: A Policing Experience.' The Department of Justice presented on 'Restorative Justice in Specialized Courts' and Tlicho Elder Mary Ann JeremickSA国际影视传媒檃 informed the conference about 'Indigenous Justice: A Personal Experience.'
Honoring Bobbi Hamilton
One thing I really liked was that the symposium honoured Bobbi Hamilton, who was a big advocate for holding the annual conference. Bobbi was a community justice coordinator in Hay River for many years.
Apparently, the organizers held the conference before or after Feb. 14, because she SA国际影视传媒渉adSA国际影视传媒� to spend ValentineSA国际影视传媒檚 Day with her husband Ron, to whom she was married for 49 years. Eschia, take it easy eh! Bobbi passed away in October 2024, and this was the first conference without her.
While the 2025 conference was a huge success, one drawback was that it got cold in the main conference room. It would be nice and cozy when things began in the morning, then it began to get cold. The hotel called the maintenance coordinator and he fixed the heat.
Jean and I could not help but notice the difference in how clients are treated. What do I mean? Well, a few months ago we attended a function put on by the NWT Friendship Centres, an Indigenous organization, and it was cold from the minute we walked in.
When the organizers complained about the cold, staff came and lowered the blinds and did nothing else. We all sat there for over three hours with our winter coats on!
Quite a few people left early, so we moved the last portion of the schedule into the foyer, where it was a lot warmer. Yet, when the government had a similar problem, someone was immediately called in and they fixed the heating problem.
All in all, the Community Justice Symposium was a huge success. Hopefully, ISA国际影视传媒檒l be able to go again next year.
