Adequate resources needed for new justice system modernization strategy

March 9, 2018

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba

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[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” dimension_margin=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]For Immediate Release

March 9, 2018

Treaty One Territory, MB._ Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has noted that Manitoba’s new Criminal Justice System Modernization Strategy, released today, builds on strategies that have been in place since 1996 when the Aboriginal Justice Strategy was created as part of the recommendations by the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

“While it’s good to see strategies like restorative justice being given the respect it is due, it isn’t new or modern,” said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas.

“If there are adequate resources put into restorative justice, it will be one of the biggest steps since the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry. There has to be meaning and commitment behind this strategy. We’ve been putting solutions forward for 25 years,” said Dumas. In October Canada’s Correctional Investigator Ivan Zinger said the number of Indigenous people in prisons across the country is now a human rights issue. In Manitoba, the Indigenous female incarceration rate is at 38 per cent while Indigenous males are at 26 per cent.

“We want to see more resources aimed at Indigenous-led restorative justice systems like Onashowewin, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) First Nations Justice Strategy and the Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) Restorative Justice Program,” said Dumas.

Onashowewin is the biggest of the Indigenous restorative programs in Manitoba. It has been in existence for 15 years using customary and traditional approaches to repairing the harm caused by criminal offences both for the victim and the offender. In their April 2014 recidivism study, it was found that 76 per cent of people who went through their program did not re-offend.

“We need to empower our First Nations to continue this work, as we move toward a nation-to-nation relationship,” said Dumas.

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC represents 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho (Cree), Oji-Cree, Dene and Dakota people and traditions.

For more information please contact:

Kim Wheeler
Director of Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
kwheeler@manitobachiefs.com
204-391-5830 (cell)
204-987-4132 (office)[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]