THUNDER BAY -- The Ontario Court of Justice has approved an Indigenous People's Court in Thunder Bay.
The Indigenous People’s Court will assist in the healing of Indigenous clients in conflict with the law by using a restorative justice approach to sentencing aligned with Indigenous culture and traditions.
Local advocates began working towards its establishment in July of 2015.
“We are excited to get to the final stages of establishing the Indigenous Peoples Court in Thunder Bay,” said Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre executive director Charlene Baglien in a release.
“This court will be a powerful process to promote healing and reconciliation in our community and to use the teachings of Indigenous people to provide a wholistic approach to justice.”
The court's basis relies on a healing process that begins with individuals taking responsibility for their actions.
Indigenous people's court coordinator Frances Wesley said the goal is to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody.
"To do that, we must take the time to consider the life experiences of Indigenous peoples and how they’ve been impacted by those experiences,” Wesley said in the release.
"The court will draw on the wisdom and experience of local elders during the court process to ensure a wholistic approach that is consistent with the medicine wheel teachings of Indigenous people in this region."
