The federal government is investing $1.4 million into Indigenous justice programs through the Yorkton Tribal Council.
The funding will be used to develop and implement culturally-sensitive justice programs for on and off reserve First Nations, focusing on youth, victims of crime and crime prevention.
“To lower the rates of people in our justice system. We always look at the incarceration rates, but we really never look at the victims,” said Yorkton Tribal Council Chief Isabel O’Soup.
The funding over five-years will help to support; provide community based programs for youth in conflict with the law, utilizing victim-offender mediations, community justice forums and accountability meetings and/or conferences; support Community Justice Committees to build community capacity to respond to the needs of victims and offenders through public education about restorative justice and alternative measures programs; and organize and conduct workshops for community members related to crime prevention, youth programs, victims services, correctional programs and other community based justice programs.
“Supporting Indigenous-led approaches to the administration of justice is an essential component of advancing reconciliation in Canada. That is why our government is partnering with the Yorkton Tribal Council to support their Tribal Justice Unit’s work to advance systemic change. Through this funding, we recognize the important role YTC plays in improving access to justice and fairness for their Member First Nations in Canada’s justice system,” Attorney General David Lametti said.