Background & Themes

Virtual Justice Speaker Series 2023

The Assembly of First Nations hosted the first National Forum on Justice in April 2022, discussing the following themes:

• Revitalization of Indigenous Legal Traditions
• Reclamation of First Nations Jurisdiction over Justice Systems
• First Nations Legal Traditions and the Canadian Criminal Justice System

One of the key objectives of the April 2022 forum was to redirect the conversation away from conventional notions of restorative justice towards the reclamation of First Nations legal traditions and laws. Traditionally, restorative justice encompasses programs that are used to address overrepresentation in a piecemeal way, often only coming into play once a First Nations person has already been involved in the justice system.

This Virtual Justice Speaker Series builds off the discussions from the National Forum on Justice to explore four key themes with panels that represent a range of perspectives.

These sessions will be recorded, and a report of the discussions will be available following the Virtual Justice Speaker Series.

Session 1: Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Panel: 2-3 speakers who represent women, 2SLGBTQQIA+, and youth perspectives.

Panel Theme: There are many challenges to consider in reclaiming First Nations legal traditions and laws. Reclaiming traditional laws will have to consider the effects of intergenerational trauma, women’s rights, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples’ rights. Women, youth, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples must be actively engaged in the process of reclamation.

Session 2: Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Panel: 2-3 speakers who represent Knowledge Keepers’ perspectives

Panel Theme: Transformational change is required, not simply process or systemic change. First Nations need their own justice systems that are representative of their traditional worldviews.

Session 3: Thursday, October 19, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Panel: 2-3 speakers who represent leadership/Chiefs

Panel Theme: Develop First Nations’ Justice Systems incrementally, starting with a community justice program, then a small justice committee which can transform into a tribunal, and then into an administrative body with a clearly defined mandate.

Session 4: Thursday, October 26, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Panel: 2-3 speaker who represent practitioners working in restorative justice initiatives

Panel Theme: Find ways to work effectively with non-Indigenous justice systems, including advocating for mandated cultural training for non-Indigenous personnel, translating Indigenous justice concepts into terms non-Indigenous people can relate to, developing protocol agreements, and emphasizing the return on investment of restorative justice initiatives.

Call for Speakers

Simultaneous French and English Interpretation will be made available for each session.

The submission for speakers has now been closed. Thank you.

The Assembly of First Nations is pleased to host a National Virtual Justice Speaker Series. There will be four virtual sessions with a panel of subject matter experts. The Virtual Justice Speaker Series builds off the discussions from the National Forum on Justice to explore four key themes with panels who represent a range of perspectives. All sessions will be hosted online via Zoom.

The Virtual Justice Speaker Series builds off the discussions from the National Forum on Justice to explore four key themes with panels that represent a range of perspectives.

These sessions will be recorded, and a report of the discussions will be available following the Virtual Justice Speaker Series.

Dates & Pannels:

• Session 1: Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Teddy Manywounds, Director – Justice, Stoney Nakoda Tsuut’ina Tribal Council

• Session 2: Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Professor John Borrows, Professor and Loveland Chair in Indigenous Law, University of Toronto, Faculty of Law

• Session 3: Thursday, October 19, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Travis Boissoneau, Lake Huron – Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief, Anishinabek Nation

• Session 4: Thursday, October 26, 2023 | 3pm-5pm EDT

Patti Bova, Indigenous Court Worker, Akwesasne Community Justice Program

Amanda Chapman, A/Community Justice Manager, Southern Chiefs’ Organization

To submit a proposal please send your name, presentation topic, and brief description of presentation to the Stephanie Bean at [email protected]. The deadline for proposals is September 27, 2023.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the AFN National Virtual Justice Speaker Series, please contact the Assembly of First Nations by email at [email protected]