Thunder Bay a step closer to developing an Aboriginal Peoples Court

Members of the group working to develop an Aboriginal Peoples Court in Thunder Bay are hopeful their efforts may result in apilot project in the near future.

Although part of the justice system, an Aboriginal Peoples Court is designed by Indigenous people, and is holistic in nature, said Frances Wesley, the urban judicial partnership capacity builder and trainerwith the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre.

"We definitely have to make changes in the current system right now because it's not working for us," she said.

• Aboriginal Peoples Court 'long overdue' in Thunder Bay

One difference from a standard court is that the judge comes down from the bench and joins a circle, which may include Crown and defense lawyers, Gladue writers, support workers, and others associated with the accused.

The circle allows the individual to speak directly to everyone there, said Wesley.

"It's important because I think the individual takes responsibility for what he or she has done wrong, and that's the beginning of the healing process," she said.

Members of the group working on the project have already visited similar courts in Brantford and Toronto, and will head to Vancouver in the nextfew weeks to gather more information to help them decide what might work best in Thunder Bay, said Wesley.

"The Truth and Reconciliation report outlines many recommendations that we need to follow and we need to be the change-makers in our community and make it happen because otherwise we're just spinning wheels," she said.

The friendship centre and Nishnawbe-Aski (NAN) Legal Services hosted a forum Friday for community leaders and service providers to get their perspective on establishing an Aboriginal Peoples Court in Thunder Bay.