Restorative Justice
FHQTC Restorative Justice provides member First Nations with technical and advisory justice services. The nature of our programming is restorative, which puts the emphasis on repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring a person’s balance spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
The Restorative Justice Unit is made up of a variety of services that have developed over time. We are organized under four pillars: Technical Services, Community Development, Training, and Governance.
Pillar #1: Technical Services
This includes the services we provide, such as mediation, circle facilitation, conflict resolution, and other services as requested by our 11 member First Nations. It also includes the administration of the affiliated programs: court worker, probation, adult and youth reintegration, and community justice.
Pillar #2: Community Development
This pillar encompasses the needs of the member First Nations’ justice committees, the File Hills Alliance, and justice portfolio holders.
Pillar #3: Training
The Restorative Justice unit has always maintained a strong component of justice training. Our program is well equipped to provide basic mediation and circle facilitation training. The First Nation Mediation Training is an initiative done in collaboration with the Yorkton Tribal Council and the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council. Learn more about our trainings here.
Pillar #4: Governance
The Restorative Justice unit recognizes the need for laws, wills and estates workshops, natural law workshops, legal life skills, and updates when new laws are coming into effect. FHQTC has developed a senior policy analysis position that is assisting member First Nations with the development of laws. This pillar is closely related to our new justice alliance as it will influence any new initiatives in governance.
Restorative Justice Operational Policy
The Director of Justice reports directly to the Executive Director of Administration and Finance for direction, approval, and evaluation.
The operation of the Restorative Justice unit takes its operational policy from the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council Financial and Personnel Policies as directed by the Board of Directors.
The Restorative Justice unit works as a liaison between the First Nation and the Traditional Canadian Justice System. They will respectfully maintain the role as interpreters, facilitators, and change agents for both.
The Restorative Justice unit works as a justice secretariat for the Justice Alliance, a united group from each member First Nation’s Councilors and Justice Committee members, File Hills Police Management Board, and interested justice representatives.
The Restorative Justice unit will take its overall goal and objectives from the respective Chief and Councils of the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council and immediate direction from the Chiefs Justice Committee or the Justice Alliance.
