The Teslin Tlingit Council (TTC) is taking further steps into its role administering justice after the signing of an agreement on funding corrections and community service programs with the territorial and federal governments
A signing ceremony for the agreement was held on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Teslin. On hand for the signing were TTC Naa Shaáde Háni (Chief) Eric Morris, Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, federal government minister Gary Anandasangaree, Premier Ranj Pillai and Deputy Premier Jeanie McLean
The result of the agreement will be a $5 million contribution this fiscal year with an additional $2.1 million coming annually from the federal government.
The core project it will support is the establishment of a land-based healing camp. Morris said TTC will also work towards opportunities for mediation and finding remedies for crime. He thinks the result is going to be amazing but recognizes there is lots of work still to be done.
He said next steps for the healing camp include looking at resources that are required and bringing in necessary councillors and therapists as well as identifying a site for it.
Morris also discussed the role the healing camp could play in court.
“I think with with our work with the judges and understanding remedies for situations, I think this definitely will will allow them to have some some latitude as to how they their decisions come about with regards to where they see a person might be able to go to get the help that's needed to change the behaviour or change some of the things that they're involved in,” he said
Also speaking at the signing ceremony Anandasangaree says the justice system has failed First Nations people. He observed a “very colonial” process in an Iqualiuit courtroom recently.
“Cultural competency is not something that either the crown or the defence counsel, despite the best of intentions, have. What this does is really take away from that system and ensures that within the context of this community, this nation, you know, the form of justice that is appropriate is addressed through the system that is now being created.”
He said that people having to face their own communities can do a lot for meeting the justice system’s objective of deterring future crimes while the land-based healing can work towards rehabilitation.
“Today's commitment, you can implement your own community services model rooted in restorative justice and Tlingit ways of knowing and doing, simply put, you can do it your way. I was fascinated to learn about the high coup state Tlingit culture, values and way of life, which underscores health and wellness as a shared responsibility,” the minister said.
Anandasangaree added that he sees Yukon’s progress in this sort of work as unique hopes to see it done in other parts of Canada.
“It's my hope that this achievement lays the groundwork for other self governing First Nations, not just in Yukon but across Canada or interested in working on their own administration of justice agreements.”
Those at the signing agreement heard that the agreement signed on Feb. 8 builds on the First Nation’s administration of justice agreement signed in 2011 and the creation of its peacemaker court later that year. According to an overview on the Teslin Tlingit council’s website, the court does not deal in criminal matters but oversees areas including: adoption, inheritance, wills, solemnization of marriage, settlement land, natural resources, gathering, hunting, trapping, fishing and the protection of fish, wildlife and habitat.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
