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Webequie First Nation

Restorative Justice Research Trip

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Researching Innovative Restorative Justice Programs

On August 28, 2006, three members of Web-Equay Mamow-No-Kii-Win – Evelyn Spence, Harriet Mekanak and Isabel Neshinapaise – travelled to Winnipeg to visit two Manitoba First Nations with innovative restorative justice programs. 

Before this trip was planned, Web-Equay Mamow-No-Kii-Win had conducted extensive focus groups with community women, many of whom reported the need for a community curfew to address pressing youth concerns.  More broadly, there was also recognized a need for a comprehensive youth program. 

Research on community curfews led us to the community of St. Theresa Point, Manitoba.  Its community-wide curfew has been in place for many years and has been successful.  Its innovative Aboriginal Youth Court has also been in place for a long time and looked to be a good model to learn about. 

The Manitoba First Nation of Hollow Water is the subject of a film by the same name that explores that community’s women’s courageous journey identifying and confronting sexual abuse and its steps toward healing and reconciliation. Its Community Holistic Circle Healing organization agreed to spend a day demonstrating its program to the members of Web-Equay Mamow-No-Kii-Win. 

A research trip was planned to St. Theresa Point and Hollow Water.  On Monday, August 28th, Evelyn, Isabel and Harriet flew to Sioux Lookout from Webequie. There they met Florence Woolner and Jenny Morrow. The five women drove to Dryden in two cars, picked up a mini-van, and continued on to Winnipeg.

On Tuesday, August 29th, we flew to St. Theresa Point First Nation on Island Lake in Northern Manitoba.  St. Theresa Point is a large Oji-Cree community with an on-reserve population of about 3,000.  It is built on a long, narrow point in Island Lake in a beautiful, park-like setting visible from the air.  There is a central main road that runs the length of the point and along this road are located the Band Office, Northern Store, community arena, nursing station, teacherages, hotel, schools, and other community buildings.  Most of the housing is off the main road closer to the water. The airport is located on an island. On this island are also a few houses and the Island Lake Trading Post.  

After spending the day with Justice Director Sam Constant, the three women participated in the community patrol that night, before flying back to Winnipeg on the Wednesday August 30th. 

On Thursday August 31st, we drove from Winnipeg to Hollow Water, which is on a point in Lake Winnipeg. 

On Friday, September 1st, we returned to Sioux Lookout, and the women returned to Webequie on Saturday, September 2nd.

 

Pictures From the Trip

View St. Theresa Point Photo Gallery
View Hollow Water Photo Gallery

 

Financial assistance was provided by Women's Program,
Status of Women Canada and Canadian Heritage

 

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