Aboriginal Justice Program Receives Accolades in Manitoba

JustInfo, Volume VII, No. 12 Week of June 13 to 17, 2005

Onashowewin, a court diversion program for Aboriginal people in the City of Winnipeg was one of six recipients to receive a Safer Communities Award from the Province of Manitoba. The awards were presented to the program representatives by Manitoba’s Justice Minister Gordon MacKintosh at a ceremony on May 26. The recipients were recognized for making significant contributions to developing, implementing, promoting, and enhancing community crime prevention programs and initiatives throughout the province.

The name “Onashowewin” is an Ojibway term that loosely translates to a process by which the program sees justice. The Onashowewin program is one that works with victims and offenders as well as community members and elders. It accepts referrals from the Crown Attorney’s office for both youth and adults. Onashowewin utilizes a number of processes to resolve conflict where charges have been laid and these include victim/offender mediation, Community Justice Forums, and conciliation, as well as specific programs for offenders.

Onashowewin is cost-shared between the Aboriginal Justice Strategy and the Province of Manitoba. Onashowewin was selected from a nomination list of 15 entries, to receive its award in the community-based initiative category.

At the awards ceremony, from left to right: Odette Johnson, Manitoba Regional Coordinator Aboriginal Justice Strategy; Kim Cramer, Onashowewin Board Representative; Joane Kakewash; Lionel Chartrand, Board Representative; Lynn Hupe; Mike Alexander; and Gordon MacKintosh, Manitoba Justice Minister. Missing: Darrin Davis, Regional Director Department of Justice, who was also present at the ceremony.

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