Nunatsiavut Government
Erin Broomfield, Regional Justice Services Manager
Background
The Nunatsiavut Government’s Justice Services program falls under the Mental Health and Healing Division of the Department of Health and Social Development. It currently consists of a Regional Justice Services Manager, Inuit Prison Liaison, Sexual Violence Prevention and Outreach Counsellor, Inuit Justice Liaison, and Inuit Cultural Justice Educator. All of these positions are temporary and project/funding based. The Regional Justice Services Manager continues to seek funding to continue and expand work in the area of justice for Inuit.
The NG Justice Services focuses on working towards lowering rates of crime, violence, incarceration, and recidivism, and ultimately, for healthy and safe communities. This is done by working to address the issues that contribute to crime and incarceration, which include but is not limited to, intergenerational trauma, addictions, FASD, and social determinants of health. The goal is to increase and strengthen justice-related supports and resources, strive for fair and equal access to justice services, and ensure inclusion in development of policies and decision-making that impact Inuit.
The Nunatsiavut Government does not currently have a formal restorative justice program, however, NG Justice Services root their work in the overarching goals of restorative justice, such as by focusing on healing and supporting offenders, victims, families, and communities, offering and connecting people with rehabilitative and healing types of supports, encouraging accountability and responsibility, and providing education and awareness on restorative options and processes. The hope is that this will help to build a strong foundation for a future formal restorative justice program that aligns with cultural values and community needs of Inuit.
Definition of Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice for Inuit embodies a culturally responsive, holistic approach that aims to heal, repair, and prevent the occurrence of further harm. It involves the offender, victim, family, and community. It entails of the offender taking accountability, community members and elders giving guidance and input when and where possible, such as through processes that promote open communication, mutual understanding, and inclusive decision-making. The goal is not only to address current harm, but also to prevent further harm, such as by providing awareness and understanding of the consequences of harmful behavior and actions, strengthening supports and resources in communities, and offering tools and resources to offenders that contribute to their rehabilitation and to assist them with being able to contribute positively to their community, and ultimately, promote peace and well-being in our communities.
Demographic Served
NG Justice Services primarily serve Inuit ages 18 and older, throughout the Nunatsiavut region and Upper Lake Melville area. Youth ages 16-18 may access services as well, when needed.
Services
Regional Justice Services Manager: one of the roles of this position is to provide one-on-one support to individuals (Inuit) involved in the criminal justice system to help them navigate the system, communicate with legal counsel, advocate regarding federal and provincial aspects of the justice system, assist with anything really that an individual requests an interest in to best meet their needs. The RJSM has assisted with coordinating a sentencing circle, completing a Gladue Report and assisting a Gladue Report Writer with gathering necessary information, collaborating with parole officers, probation officers, correctional staff, etc.
Sexual Violence Prevention and Outreach Counsellor: provides counselling and group programming to primarily adults ages 18 and older, and ages 16-18 when needed who have been charged, convicted, or at risk of committing offences of harm of a sexual nature. Also provides education and awareness to public about various topics related to sexual health and safety, such as healthy relationships, boundaries, communication, ages of sexual consent, and sexual wellness.
Inuit Cultural Justice Educator: develops and delivers education and awareness about Inuit culture, history, and trauma, primarily to criminal justice professionals, as well as service providers of other organizations that work with Inuit, such as Child and Youth Advocate, Office of the Citizen’s Representative, John Howard Society NL to name a few.
Inuit Justice Liaison: working on developing an Indigenous Justice Strategy specific for Nunatsiavut Inuit to present to Justice Canada. Also part of a justice working group with ITK (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami) in co-developing a chapter in the Indigenous Justice Strategy for Inuit Nunangat.
Inuit Prison Liaison: works in the Labrador Correctional Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, primarily with Inuit. All individuals in the LCC are adults and all are male. However, the LCC is currently undergoing construction to expand to be able to accommodate females, so in the near future, the Inuit Prison Liaison will also work with female adults in the LCC.
Information provided
June 2, 2024