SCO’s First Nations Justice Programs and Services provide restorative justice and mediation services with professionalism, respect, and dedication to the well-being of our Nations and our citizens, as well as support and assistance to those navigating the criminal court system. Our mandate is to reduce the overrepresentation of First Nation citizens within the Canadian criminal justice system.
Our First Nation Court Worker program supported more than 4000 citizens in its first year, and the Community Justice Workers provided direct services to more than 550 citizens from 20 Nations.
Community Justice Workers
The Community Justice Program focuses on delivering restorative justice diversions to southern First Nations through Community Justice Workers. The goal of this program is to ensure that the justice needs of our member Nations are met by enlisting restorative justice programming with referrals received from both Crown prosecutions and police services.
The program can include many different approaches such as anger management and healthy relationship classes, mental health and wellness counselling, community service, as well as cultural activities such as sweats, peacemaking circles, and land-based healing. Clients work with Community Justice Workers on this programming to address the harm caused and create a healthier environment.
The program is available at the request of SCO member Nations.
Ginger Abraham – Community Justice Manager
Kendall Chartrand
Serves: Skownan First Nation, Ebb and Flow First Nation, O-chi-Chak First Nation, Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve
Attends: Dauphin Court
Chante Speidel
Serves: Brandon, Rolling River First Nation, Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation
Attends: Brandon Court and Minnedosa Court
Bert Keeper
Serves: Bloodvein and Little Grand Rapids
Attends: Bloodvein court and Little Grand Rapids court
Arnold Spence
Serves: Sandy Bay First Nation, Long Plain First Nation
Attends: Amaranth Court and Portage La Prairie Court
Adrienne Spence
Serves: Pinaymootang First Nation, Lake Manitoba First Nation, Lake St. Martin First Nation, Little Saskatchewan First Nation, Dauphin River First Nation
Attends: Ashern Court, St. Martin Court and Lundar Court
Andrea Swampy
Serves: Sagkeeng First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
Attends: Pine Falls Court and Selkirk Court
First Nation Court Workers
In 2023, SCO announced our First Nation Court Workers Program.
SCO has three First Nation Court Workers located across southern Manitoba. They work in Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, and Dauphin and attend circuit court locations, including those in Bloodvein, Berens River, and other court locations within SCO member Nations.
The workers are responsible for liaising between the court and SCO citizens and their families. They provide timely connections to legal as well as First Nation resources, located both on and off reserve.
SCO’s First Nation Court Workers also play a critical role ensuring victims and their families are connected with Victims Services, including those for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning) peoples.
They work alongside SCO’s well-established Community Justice Workers, strengthening SCO’s First Nation Justice Program and overall access to justice supports in a culturally sensitive manner. While Community Justice Workers focus on diversion, reintegration, and prevention, First Nation Court Workers focus on the criminal justice processes, sentencing, appearances, and translation.
VACANT, Dauphin – Circuit Locations: Camperville, Swan River, Roblin
Brenda Fontaine, Winnipeg – Circuit Locations: Selkirk, Pine Falls, Bloodvein, Little Grand Rapids, Peguis
Jeannette McIvor, Portage la Prairie – Circuit Locations: Amaranth, Manitoba Youth Centre, Waywayseecappo
Youth Justice Project
Our Youth Justice Project supports urban First Nation youth in and transitioning out of the Manitoba Youth Centre (MYC). Launched in 2023, the project lead has engaged with youth and community stakeholders, beginning with a Youth Justice Forum and hosting Cultural Days at MYC to positive feedback.
Dylan Peyachew, Youth Project Coordinator
Gladue Report Pilot Project
Amanda Chapman, Gladue Report Program Manager – Brandon Region
Shayle Catagas, Gladue Report Writer – Dauphin Region
VACANT, Gladue Report Writer – Sagkeeng Region
Bonnie Woodhouse, Gladue Report Writer – Pinaymootang Region
Restorative Justice Digital Wellness Program
Guided by the SCO Community Justice Workers, the Restorative Justice Digital Wellness Program consists of five videos and a workbook for First Nation clients.
The videos feature Elder William Campbell (Ebb and Flow First Nation), Elder Gertrude Ballantyne (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation), mental health therapist Anita Prince (Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation), and traditional Knowledge Keeper Cecil Sveinson (Poplar River First Nation) as they discuss the importance of healing through culture and ceremony, as well as how to move forward by making healthier decisions. Topics include abandonment, trauma and healing, coping strategies, as well as cultural teachings and language.