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Purpose:
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Biidaaban is a community-based, holistic healing model and restorative justice program, developed by the Mnjikaning First Nation, for adults and youths who have committed wrongdoing or been hurt by wrongdoing. The Program addresses cases concerning such matters as assault, domestic violence, breaking and entering, sexual abuse, armed robbery and impaired driving, most of which involve the court system.
The goal of Biidaaban is for individuals who have harmed to take responsibility for their behaviour and the harm they have caused, be accountable to the community and to people they have hurt, publicly apologize and make amends and restitution. Working with people who have been harmed involves trying to help them through the process, validating their experience and having them become part of the process of coming together with the person who has caused the harm.
When the time is right, the healing process includes a healing circle, called the Community Gathering which is made up of team counsellors, family, offender, victim, supporters and community members striving to repair relationships and create a safe and happy community.
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