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.
Read our latest report, Anishinaabe and Dakota Experiences of Protecting Their Nations: A Report on SCO’s Justice and Community Safety Gathering. The report is based on the Justice and Community Safety Gathering hosted by SCO in Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory. You will hear directly from SCO citizens, Elders, Chiefs, Youth Chiefs, and justice workers on their experiences, challenges, and priorities for protecting their 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.
Kendall Chartrand
Serves: Skownan First Nation, Ebb and Flow First Nation, O-chi-Chak First Nation, Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve
Attends: Dauphin Court
Colin Partridge
Serves: Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, Brandon, Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, Rolling River First Nation
Attends: Brandon and Minnedosa Court
Arnold Spence
Serves: Sandy Bay First Nation, Long Plain First Nation
Attends: Amaranth Court and Portage La Prairie Court
Russell Spence
Serves: Long Plain First Nation, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, and Bloodvein First Nation
Attends: Portage La Prairie Court, Bloodvein Court and Little Grand Rapids Court
Andrea Swampy
Serves: Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
Attends: Pine Falls Court and Selkirk Court
Bonnie Woodhouse
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
Manager, Community Justice Team
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. They 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.
Joanne Catcheway, Dauphin-Circuit Court Locations: Camperville, Swan River, Roblin
Brenda Fontaine, Winnipeg – Circuit Locations: Selkirk, Pine Falls, Bloodvein, Little Grand Rapids, Peguis
Jeannette McIvor, Portage la Prairie-Circuit Court Locations: Amaranth, Emerson, Selkirk, Manitoba Youth Centre
Empowering Victims and Overcoming Harm Program
Restorative Healing Advocates
The Restorative Healing Advocates serve as dedicated support workers to empower victims and assist them in overcoming the harms they have experienced though violence and crime. This may include those who have been impacted by intimate partner violence and/or family violence. The Restorative Healing Advocates will also work alongside Community Justice Workers, who work with those who have caused harm, and provide a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach for those who have been harmed. Wrap-around support services may include culturally appropriate holistic programming such as circle proceses and mediation. The Restorative Healing Advocates may also provide support and advocacy outside the diversion process by assisting and supporting victims throughout the criminal justice system such as attending court, parole board hearings and/or any other support service navigation.
The Restorative Healing Advocates are located in Winnipeg and Dauphin and serve surrounding SCO member nations.
Joseph Daniels – Winnipeg
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.
Manager, Court & Justice Services
Impact of Colonization (Gladue) Report Writers
Indigenous people continue to be overrepresented in the criminal justice system and in correctional facilities. In response, Parliament amended the Criminal Code through Bill C‑41, introducing important changes to sentencing. A key component of these changes is Section 718.2(e), commonly known as the Gladue provision. This provision requires judges to consider all reasonable alternatives to incarceration, with particular attention to the circumstances of Indigenous people. The Supreme Court of Canada has affirmed that Gladue is intended to address the systemic impacts of colonialism that contribute to Indigenous peoples’ involvement in the justice system.
In July 2023, development of the Gladue Pilot Project began, and the framework was implemented in early 2024. Gladue Reports provide judges with an Indigenous person’s life story, outlining the intergenerational and systemic effects of colonization and offering culturally appropriate alternatives to incarceration. These reports present each person’s circumstances in a balanced and neutral way.
SCO is moving forward with renaming “Gladue Reports” to better reflect their purpose: Impact of Colonization Reports. These reports will include a Healing Plan grounded in the individual’s lived experiences and unique circumstances.
Impact of Colonization Reports are an important tool during the sentencing phase of the justice process, offering meaningful options for Indigenous offenders. At sentencing, a judge may order an Impact of Colonization Report for any citizen of our 33 Nations.
For more information, click here.
Post-Sentence Transition Support Program
After an individual receives an Impact of Colonization (Gladue) Report from one of SCO’s writers, the Post‑Sentence Transition Worker supports them in carrying out their Healing Plan and navigating their justice journey. The worker helps bridge the gap between colonial systems and culturally grounded approaches, offering support both before and after sentencing. They connect clients with community‑based services, provide advocacy, and build relationships with community and judicial partners to ensure holistic, culturally informed support.
Meghan Scammell, Post-Sentence Transition Worker
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.
Contact us:
Resources
SCO Anishinaabe and Dakota Experiences of Protecting Their Nations Report 2025