ABOUT RFNL
ABOUT US.
Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador is a provincial restorative justice organization housed in Memorial University’s Faculty of Education. We aim to provide support, resources, research, and recommendations for the sustainability of the holistic integration of restorative justice in Newfoundland & Labrador and beyond.
We believe that restorative justice is a way of being and define it as the framework upon which communities nurture the capacity of people to engage with one another and their environment in a manner that supports and respects the inherent dignity and worth of all. We are led by the interconnection of four equally significant intentions:
-
Embodying respect, dignity, and mutual concern
-
Creating just and equitable environments
-
Nurturing healthy relationships
-
Repairing harm and transforming conflict
MISSION & HISTORY.
Values & Beliefs
All life is worthy and interconnected. Worth and interconnectedness are nurtured through the embodiment of respect, dignity, and mutual concern.
Mission
RFNL works to cultivate, nurture, and support relational culture where children, youth, and adults alike thrive.
Vision
RFNL envisions communities that live relationally by intentionally honouring the worth and interconnectedness of all.
History
In August 2012, 17 educators in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) embarked on a two-week long institute to explore the possibilities of Relationships First: Restorative Justice in Education. Beginning with an exploration of their own core beliefs and values, the educators dug deep to reflect on the many relationships that make up their school community and began their journey toward creating and sustaining healthy, inclusive relationships in schools.
Since then, many others involved in education in NL have discovered the benefits of restorative justice in schools. In 2014, the Relationships First: Restorative Justice in Education Consortium was formed and engaged a wide variety of education stakeholders within and outside of the traditional schooling systems.
Since that time we have grown into a multidisciplinary research and resource organization that is comprised of researchers and practitioners in holistic restorative justice. We share our insights and experiences on this site in hopes of learning together with others globally.
OUR ADVISORY
BOARD.
Shelby Arnold
Learning Facilitator, THRIVE
Catherine Fagan
President of the Board of Directors of First Light: St. John’s Friendship Centre
Sara Hawkins
Access to Justice Coordinator (St. John’s)
The Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (PLIAN)
Catherine Kelly
Human Rights-CJC
Crystal Leighton
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Sarah McDonald Moores
Education Coordinator, RFNL, Memorial University
Tom Mugford
Program Development Specialist for Indigenous Education
Department of Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Kevin O’Shea
Executive Director, PLIAN
Dr. Rose Ricciardelli
Research Chair, Safety, Security, and Wellness, Marine Institute
Mitch Rumbolt
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC)
SAO
Faculty of Education
Ed Wade
Independent
dr. dorothy vaandering
Director RFNL and Pofessor, Faculty of Education, Memorial University
Lisa Charlong
Grants Facilitation Officer, RFNL & Faculty of Education, Memorial University
Dr. Sulaimon Abiodun Olawale Giwa
Interim Dean, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs Associate Professor
School of Social Work, Memorial University
Elected College Member, Royal Society of Canada
Dr. Rhonda Joy
Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Research,
Faculty of Education, Memorial University
Olivia Lynch
Interim Executive Director, Violence Prevention Avalon East
Carey Majid
Q.C. Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission
Dan McGettigan
Director, Turnings
Mike Noseworthy
Assistant Deputy Minister
Courts and Corporate Services
Department of Justice and Public Safety, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Bill Ranson
Coordinator, Turnings
Dr. Sherra Robinson
Assistant Professor, L'nu Education, School of Education & Health
Cape Breton University
Gabe Ryan
Administrative Officer, Programs and Services
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association (NLTA)
Jessica Webb
Independent
OUR PARTNERS.
RFNL is an organization that has been supported throughout the years with generous funding from a variety of sources. Currently, we are working with our funders to create opportunities for members of a variety of communities to learn about and through restorative justice in project-specific contexts. Most recently, RFNL has received funding from the Kim Cole Memorial Fund, the Catherine Donnelly Foundation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Departments of Justice and Education.
