May 31, 2005

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) and the Province of Manitoba today signed historic agreements that will lead to the establishment of First Nations and Metis community corrections agencies.

This initiative follows recommendations put forward by the Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), flowing from Aboriginal Justice Inquiry recommendations which sought to better reconcile the needs of communities, those in conflict with the law and victims.

“With these agreements, we are recognizing there is a better way to deal with First Nations and Metis people who come into conflict with the law,” said Attorney General Gord Mackintosh.  “This important process will help ensure probation and community justice services will be provided by people who are familiar with the community and understand the background of people in conflict with the law, providing culturally appropriate supervision, intervention and assistance.”

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding between the Manitoba Metis Federation and Manitoba Justice marks a historic return of rights to the Metis Nation,” said President David Chartrand, Manitoba Metis Federation.  “This agreement will restore a holistic Metis-specific approach and is a giant step in restoring the traditional Metis integrated service model - a tradition in which our Metis community throughout the province works together with our service sectors.  This is an important addition to the Child and Family Services Memorandum of Understanding signed with MMF on February 22, 2000.”

“Fourteen years ago, Commissioners Justice A.C. Hamilton and Judge Murray Sinclair released the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba report,” said Grand Chief Chris Henderson, Southern Chiefs’ Organization.  “One of the core principles of the AJI was the recognition and establishment of traditional Aboriginal justice models and systems within all Aboriginal governments.  While we are years, perhaps generations away from realizing this goal, today’s signing is a monumental step in that direction.”

“This is a significant occasion for the First Nations in northern Manitoba,” said Grand Chief Dr. Sydney Garrioch, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.  “It is yet another step forward towards control and development of culturally appropriate services for our people and, given the historical injustices that have taken place in our communities, this process is seen as an opportunity for change.”

“We're making this important change together with our partners,” said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin.  “The goal is to provide effective services in a way that respects and accommodates First Nations and Metis cultural, geographic, linguistic and historical diversity, while maintaining and building healthy and safe communities.” 

The memoranda of understanding and a protocol agreement set out a planning process that will lead to the development of a proposal for appropriate devolution of community justice services to community corrections agencies to be established by the MMF, SCO and MKO in addition to Manitoba Justice continuing to deal with offenders not covered by the new agencies.  The goal is to make such services more efficient, effective and relevant for Aboriginal people in Manitoba.

Following the signing, the parties will work together to establish standards for supervision and intervention as well as effective accountability mechanisms for the work of the agencies.

Community justice services are wide ranging and include probation supervision, administering court orders, fine option programs, preparing pre-sentence reports and programs to change behaviour such as anger management, and intervention programs in the areas of addiction, domestic violence and sex offender programming ordered by the courts.

“Over the years, staff have worked hard to provide solid programming and services.  A concerted effort has been made to add more Aboriginal staff to Corrections, and this initiative will build on those efforts.  The agreements include provisions for the development of a comprehensive human resources strategy for existing staff,” said Mackintosh.  

Under the agreements, services provided by the agencies that will be established will still be subject to the provisions of the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other federal and provincial legislation.

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