Let's talk about restorative justice!
My other volunteer position at Aboriginal legal services is a member of the Community council. We sit with Indigenous community members who have been arrested and ask for a diversion. They have to take responsibility for their actions...

Then the community member comes and sits with members of the community council. We aren't judgemental, or there to make them feel bad for their past actions, we hear them out and understand what they were feeling or going through when they were arrested....

Some of these community members went through residential school, were in foster care, adopted by Non Indigenous families, lived with abuse, have addictions or other mental wellness difficulties. Poverty is also a big factor, some people steal because they need food/medicine....

Homelessness, depression..etc.
We hear them out and then ask what their personal strengths or talents are, what goal would they like to set and they to achieve?
Each situation is different, and the group works together. We have sage/sweetgrass available for smudge if they choose

The council may also suggest activities for them (peer support groups, classes, etc..) and the amazing community council caseworkers will accompany the community members to appointments if they require a support. The caseworkers are really wonderful people.

The community council also has asked us to switch out language to be less oppressive. Instead of "accused" we say "community member". We all know they were arrested, we don't want to keep making them feel bad for what they did. The idea is that they admitted their "crime"...

Now they can look at ways to help themselves and their situation. The community council members are from different facets of life. Some are social workers, teachers, some work in the field of law, some are even former community members who had gone through the program themselves

Those who had gone through the program like to give back to community and also encourage those community members who are nervous and feel at ease knowing that the council is there to support them. Personally I think restorative justice is a better option than jail..

The number of Indigenous in jail is waaay to high. Indigenous people are targeted and arrested for such minor things. There are better ways to work with people and help them than lock them away. The success stories from the community council are celebrated....

Each year there is a feast and community members who successfully completed programs or have done volunteer work are given a chance to share their experiences. They are celebrated by the council, we need to help people with their goals & celebrate their success
That's community

Originally I wanted to volunteer because I had spare time, and I wanted to learn how to assist community better.
The experience is so rewarding. I have learned better listening skills, patience, critical thinking skills as well as remaining non-judgmental.
It humbles me....

I am no better than the person sitting across the table from me.
The work helps me be more compassionate and I get to know more community members and see the beauty of Indigenous people.
I had to go on hiatus due to my MeD, but look forward to volunteering again.

This program was also modeled after Australian Aboriginal methods of restorative justice. The ALS program was developed in the early 90's on the advice of community Elders.
I have met volunteers who are on similar councils from other cities, they strongly believe in the process

They see the success of the programs and some folx (lawyers/judges) in the courts also see the value of the program. My hope is that more communities take on restorative justice. That's one way community can take care of each other.

I must mention that every community council hearing is confidential. Council members don't go telling ppl what happened in the hearing. No gossip and no pointing fingers at the community member who went through the process.

Oh.. one more thing. My volunteer work goes beyond the circles. Once a friend called me b/c she was in a store where a community member was caught shoplifting. Her & her colleague offered to pay for the item but the store wanted to call the popo. They called me for advice...

I was able to connect them to the caseworkers. That person was helped.
The caseworkers also go above and beyond.
Indigenous community members can step in and assist the ones that are struggling or are being targeted.
We should be helping each other when we are able to.