A group of 21 non-Aboriginals participated in the Returning to spirit workshop last January and look forward to meeting the group of Aboriginal participants for the Reconciliation workshop.

This year, the National Restorative Justice Symposium will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 21-22. The Symposium raises awareness of a restorative approach to addressing crime and conflict. This year’s Symposium is being hosted by the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice and Dalhousie University: http://novascotia.ca/just/Restorative-Justice-Symposium-2016/

To take a look at the Symposium Agenda:

http://novascotia.ca/just/Restorative-Justice-Symposium-2016/NRJS_Agenda_E_2016-11-14.pdf

Past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 to 25: Prevalence and associated characteristics.
On October 13, 2016, Statistics Canada released the article:
‘Past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 to 25: Prevalence and associated characteristics’.

The Restorative justice center of Quebec participated in the World Social Forum which took place in Montreal this year. Here are some photos from the closing activity on Mount Royal organized by a community of people working together for a better world.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0SGlxzuqGkX1OO

A special thanks to Louis Lafleur, our photographer.

November 15-22, 2015. The theme for the week is Inspiring Innovation.

Restorative Justice Week will be held in Canada, and throughout the world, from November 15-22, 2015. The theme for the week is Inspiring Innovation.

 “Returning to spirit” workshops: creating meaningful relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people
[French only]
Authors:
Mrs Lucie Painchaud, Centre de justice réparatrice de Québec [Quebec City restorative justice centre] (CJRQ)
Mrs Rose-Anne Gosselin, member of the Timiskaming Algonquin First Nation

Summary of presentation :

Developed in 2001 in western Canada by Marc Pizandawatc, an Anishnabe of Kitigan Zibi, and Sister Ann Thompson of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, the “Returning to spirit” workshops build peace in the wake of the legacy of the residential schools where many First Nations and Inuit children were sent. What is original about the program is that it brings together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people on a journey of personal growth and reconciliation during which the issue of residential schools is touched upon without being the exclusive point of focus. Participants in these workshops may have lived in residential schools themselves; they may be descendants of persons who lived in residential schools; they may work with or stand in solidarity with Aboriginal people; they may be affected by the stories told by former residential school residents; and they may have served time in prison. They share one common thread: a real desire for reconciliation with themselves, with others and with life in general. People who have taken these workshops find their relationships strengthened, experience better social inclusion and have a greater appreciation for the value of each human interaction. The Returning to spirit organization was founded in 2008 and has been working in partnership with CJRQ since 2013.

Florida mother shares story of grief, forgiveness over daughter lost to drunk driving.

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Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children
From Employment and Social Development Canada

The Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children (PMMC) is an income support grant available to eligible parents who have suffered a loss of income as a result of taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of their child (or children) under the age of 18 as a result of a probable Criminal Code offence. Service Canada’s delivery of PMMC grant involves answering program queries, collecting and processing applications, and issuing payments.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/federal-income-support-parents-murdered-missing-children.html