Community the key word at Indigenous justice forum - Action News
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NorthIn Depth

Community the key word at Indigenous justice forum

About a dozen people shared their stories with the justice system at a panel discussion focused on Indigenous justice and healing in Yellowknife Wednesday night, with the majority of those who spoke calling for more community involvement in sentencing.

Attendees speak of need for N.W.T. addictions treatment centre, community involvement in sentencing

Dozens of people filled Yellowknife's Northern United Place Wednesday night, discussing options to improve Indigenous justice and wellness in the North. (Pat Kane/CBC)

There were calls for more community involvement in sentencing and more resources to help communities provide support for inmates once they're released during last night'spanel discussion on Indigenous justice.

About a dozen people shared their stories aboutthe justice systemat a forumin Yellowknife Wednesday night.

"I think communities can deal with issues themselves and come up with solutions," saidWade Blake, N.W.T.'s director of community justice and community policing, during thediscussion.
'We don't kick people out because they have addictions,' said John Westergreen, who offers private transitional housing in Yellowknife. 'We want to hear them.' (Pat Kane/CBC)

"I think [community justice] has done way better for communities and individuals than the revolving criminal justice system."

Blake helps implement a community justice initiative called the Diversion Program that works with communities to implement their own restorative justice programs, such as sentencing circles.

He saidthatover the last four years, more than1,000 cases have been diverted from the court system by using community justice programs.

Wade Blake, the N.W.T.'s community justice coordinator, said Wednesday night that community justice offers more for struggling individuals 'than the revolving criminal justice system.' (Pat Kane/CBC)
In order to help communities get more involved in the justice system, audience member John Westergreen said thatmore transitional housing is needed for people post-incarceration. Westergreen spoke about the private transitional housing he offers in Yellowknife.

"I think that transitional housing is desperately needed especially for those with alcohol and drug addictions," Westergreen said."We don't kick people out because they have addictions. We want to hear them."

Many people at the forum spoke about their concerns about the high prevalence of alcohol-related crimes in the North. About 85 per cent of people sentenced for crimes in the N.W.T. say alcohol or drugs contributed to their criminal activity.

Having a treatment centre closer to home could make it easier for Northerners to get help.

Born and raised in Yellowknife, Tanya Kidston had to leave the territory for treatment, and says that a made-in-the-North facility would offer support to those struggling with addiction. (Pat Kane/CBC)

"I went to a treatment centre two years ago," said Tanya Kidston.

"I wanted to take my treatment here in Yellowknife. I'm born and raised. My whole life has been here in the North. It was really hard. I wanted some kind of support.

"I think an addictions centre, a treatment centre here at home for local people would help so much."

Parker Kennedy, the territory'sDirector of of Corrections,said thatthose who work in the justice system first-hand know that something needs to change.

"We try and do the best we can and I believe we are," said Kennedy.

"Do we need to get better? I believe we need to get better. Have we been 100 per cent successful? No, we're not.

Parker Kennedy is the territory's director of corrections. He said that those who work in the justice system are doing their best, but also know that something needs to change. (Pat Kane/CBC)

"It takes more than the programs we're offering within the facility. We have our offenders for a short period of time. It's really important that when they leave our institution,the community needs to pick up the pieces and carry on with whatever success they had in our facility."

Panellist and former CBC broadcaster Paul Andrew had the last and perhaps celebrated word of the night.

"In the community, three quarters of the community might be sober. But guess what we concentrate on? That one quarter. That one quarter that might be out of control. They're the ones who control our communities," Andrew said, as the audience broke out in applause.

"It's time for soberpeople to take back our communities."