Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy (revitalized in 2022)
Introduction
One of Correctional Service of Canada’s (CSC) corporate priorities is the provision of effective and culturally appropriate interventions and reintegration support for Indigenous offenders, including First Nations, InuitFootnote 1 and Métis. CSC acknowledges that Indigenous offenders have specific cultural and spiritual needs that must be considered to support their rehabilitation. Further to this, CSC also recognizes that Inuit offenders have specific cultural and spiritual needs – based on a unique social history, geography, ceremony, and language – and in 2013, in consultation with Inuit stakeholders and CSC Inuit workers, the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy was created.
In Inuktitut, “Anijaarniq” refers to a traditional morning practice where Inuit would take time for the observation of weather, wind, and stars to plan for the coming dayFootnote 2 of this word and its meaning are integral to the vision and principles of this Strategy, which seek to support the reintegration and rehabilitation of Inuit offenders in their home communities in the North, also known as Inuit Nunangat.
Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy – Story and Intention of the Images:
Overview: The graphic image for the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy represents and honours the vision of the Strategy, that federally-sentenced Inuit have the support and resources they need to return and remain in their communities as contributing members of their families and society. This image was designed in consultation with Indigenous members of CSC’s Indigenous Initiatives Directorate, and aligns with the Northern Affairs Organization “Branding for the North and the Arctic” guide for design, as well as Indigenous Service Canada’s “Words Matter” guide for language. Each element contained within the central image of the Inuit drum, as well as the drum itself, was carefully selected with intentionality and purpose, relating to the four principles of the Strategy.
The drum: The Inuit drum was selected as the overarching image of the Anijaarniq Strategy. Traditionally, Inuit men engaged in the drum dance with the Inuit drum for the purpose of celebration and ceremony; however, today, Inuit men and women are known to play this instrument and engage in the dance. You can see the dominant features of the Inuit drum, such as the round wooden frame, the hide (or modern cotton fabric) stretched over and extended outside the frame, and the wooden handle. This image was chosen as the main symbol for this Strategy because of its history and current value in Inuit culture, and also because it is a circle that demonstrates a continuum. Growth, change, and healing are not often linear, but rather take shape on a continuum. Therefore, this image was fitting to symbolize this Strategy as CSC seeks to support federally-sentenced Inuit on a healing journey, to return and remain in their communities as contributing members of their families and society.
The polar bear and her cub: Chosen to be the image of Principle 1, “Inuit offenders, who wish to and are able to, should be housed and supervised in their home communities”, the polar bear and her cub represent family, resiliency, and mastery of survival in one of the most inhospitable climates. From time immemorial, Inuit have relied on strong family bonds to form a healthy society, a society that strengthened the fight for survival and built resiliency throughout Inuit Nunangat (Inuit homeland). As the principle holds that Inuit should be housed and supervised in their home communities, communities that rely on family and have built resiliency in the face of many challenges, the polar bear and her cub are a fitting symbol.
The three hands: Chosen to be the image of Principle 2, “Northern communities must be partners in shaping the Inuit strategy”, the three hands image represents self-determination, reconciliation, and mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, which encompasses the partnership of Northern communities and CSC.
The qulliq: Chosen to be the image of Principle 3, “The Continuum of Care for Inuit needs to address the risks and needs of the offender to ensure successful reintegration”, the qulliq is a traditional oil lamp created and used by Inuit. It was a tool essential for the survival of Inuit, serving as a source of heat, light, and cooking food. Today, a qulliq may be lit by an Elder in ceremony or other significant event, whereas traditionally, the qulliq was used mainly by women in the home and by men while hunting and fishing on the land. This image was chosen for the third principle because the qulliq served the unique needs of Inuit in the past, and the Continuum of Care is designed to meet the unique needs of federally-sentenced Inuit today.
The shaking hands: Chosen to be the image of Principle 4, “Meaningful partnerships across all spectrums are essential to the success of the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy”, the shaking hands made sense to demonstrate the importance of meaningful partnerships across all spectrums. However, the consultation process produced an idea of inclusivity and representation of Inuit culture, through the addition of traditional Inuit hand tattoos and a sealskin cuffing on one of the hands. A subtle but powerful change, these embellishments powerfully demonstrate that meaningful partnerships with Inuit and other stakeholders are essential to the success of this Strategy.
The northern lights: Chosen to centre the graphic image are northern lights. Originally a creative choice suggested by the Branding for the North and Arctic guide to represent connection to ancestors, it was later decided that this image held a deeper significance to this Strategy by way of its name, “Anijaarniq”. Anijaarniq is the traditional Inuit practice of observing weather, wind, sky and stars to plan for the coming day. In the same way that this traditional practice observed and planned ahead, this Strategy has scoped the way forward for Inuit corrections and CSC will continue course and walk in that direction.
Vision
The foundational vision of this Strategy is as follows: Inuit have the support and resources they need to return and remain in their communities as contributing members of their families and society. Each of the four founding principles below highlight the importance of working together with Inuit for the reintegration of federally incarcerated Inuit.
Key principles, deliverables and issues
Principle 1: Inuit offenders, who wish to and are able to, should be housed and supervised in their home communities.
CSC continues to work to support Inuit offender reintegration and assist in their return to Inuit Nunangat. This has been facilitated through releases to Indigenous communities, a process enshrined in Section 84 (S.84) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Specifically, S.84 releases ensure that Indigenous communities can be meaningfully involved in the release planning of an offender who is a member of that community. This process is supported by Inuit and Indigenous workers, including Elders, Indigenous Liaison Officers, Indigenous Community Liaison Officers, and Indigenous Community Development Officers, throughout the Indigenous Continuum of Care. Additionally, through partnerships and exchange of services agreements (ESA), CSC has worked to expand capacity in Inuit Nunangat to house Inuit offenders. For example, CSC has partnered with a provincial correctional centreFootnote 3 in Labrador to allow Inuit to finish their sentences closer to their home communities.
Although the Canadian Government has entered into agreements with respect to the sentencing of federally incarcerated Inuit, there are some gaps. As per the James Bay and Northern Quebec AgreementFootnote 4 (JBNQA), Inuit from this region are to be incarcerated within their Inuit Nunangat; however, the majority of Inuit offenders serve their federal sentences in the South. Additionally, although S.84 supports the returning of Inuit to their home communities and there are more incarcerated Inuit interested in S.84 releases compared to other Indigenous people in custody (74% compared to 43% respectively)Footnote 5 , Inuit secure S.84 and discretionary releases at lower rates than non-Inuit. As of March 31, 2020, 20% of Inuit offenders utilized the S.84 release process during their first release, whereas in the same year, 73% of Indigenous offenders with a S.84 release plan acquired a discretionary release at the time of their first releaseFootnote 6 . In light of these results and by way of agreements such as the JBNQA, the government commits to building capacity within Inuit Nunangat, and CSC’s work will continue to be guided by those agreements. To this end, CSC will consider establishing a correctional site for Inuit within Inuit Nunangat, and increases to existing capacity in Inuit Nunangat to house offenders on conditional release.
Principle 2: Northern communities must be partners in shaping the Inuit strategy.
CSC has engaged in partnerships with various Inuit partners, including National Inuit Organizations (NIO) and the governments of various Inuit Land Claims Agreements, for the provision of culturally appropriate and restorative interventions for Inuit offenders in its care and custody. For example, CSC has an ESA with Makivik Corporation (located in Nunavik, Quebec) for the provision of correctional programs, Elder services, and release support for incarcerated Inuit from Nunavik. Additionally, CSC has worked with NIOs for the purposes of consultation on the Inuit Integrated Correctional Program (IICP), which was created and implemented for federally incarcerated Inuit in 2017.
However, on its own, CSC cannot fulfill the goals and objectives of the Strategy, and must seek support and guidance from Inuit. Inuit are best positioned to determine the best course of action to address the incarceration, repatriation, and rehabilitation of Inuit individuals serving a federal sentence. This Strategy acknowledges that Inuit must be partners in this Strategy – not only in its creation, but also in its implementation.
Principle 3: The Continuum of Care for Inuit needs to address the risks and needs of the offender to ensure successful reintegration.
As a result of the creation of the Strategy in 2013, Inuit Centres of Excellence (ICE) were established at four medium and minimum-security level institutions in the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, and Prairie regions. These centres provide federally incarcerated Inuit with access to Inuit workers, including Elders, as well as to correctional programs that are culturally appropriate and relevant to Inuit, namely the IICP. IICP is a comprehensive correctional program model that was designed – through consultation with Inuit stakeholders – to meet the specific needs of Inuit men in federal custody. Also available at these ICEs are the means to facilitate videoconferencing with family in isolated Arctic communities, which is an integral part of an Inuk offender’s reintegration.
Although the above-noted efforts and initiatives support the reintegration and rehabilitation of Inuit in federal custody, some Inuit face barriers in accessing culturally appropriate services and interventions. As of March 31, 2020, 76 Inuit (54%) were located at an ICE, out of 141 total Inuit in custodyFootnote 7 . Offenders serving their sentences at institutions other than an ICE may not receive the support of an Inuit worker, and do not have access to Inuit specific correctional programming. Additionally, as of March 31, 2022, 15% of incarcerated Inuit had a maximum-security designation (n=21 out of 139 Inuit)Footnote 8 . Maximum-security Inuit offenders are ineligible to transfer to, and participate in, the culturally appropriate interventions of an ICE, as these centres are located at medium and minimum-security level institutions. Therefore, CSC is exploring means to provide culturally appropriate services and interventions similar to the ICE model for maximum-security Inuit offenders.
Principle 4: Meaningful partnerships across all spectrums are essential to the success of the Anijaarniq Holistic Inuit Strategy.
CSC values the traditional knowledge and cultural expertise of Inuit Elders and CSC employees. In effect, CSC has facilitated Inuit Workers Gatherings on an annual basis since 2003, in efforts to allow frontline workers in institutions to share with respect to the challenges, successes, and best practices of Inuit corrections. The Inuit
workers of CSC have also played an integral role in the Strategy, and have been key partners throughout the consultation, creation, and implementation of the Strategy. In addition to Inuit workers of CSC, National Inuit Organizations (NIO) such as Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, and Makivik Corporation
have also partnered with the government to address needs of Inuit in custody. Building on the success of meaningful partnerships with Inuit workers, Inuit community leaders, and NIOs, CSC will seek willing and available Inuit for membership on a working group that will consult on the Anijaarniq Strategy in the 2023-2024
fiscal year.
It is important to acknowledge these partnerships and the immense value they bring to Inuit Corrections. CSC cannot underestimate the importance of accountability and guidance from key stakeholders across all spectrums to support the Strategy. The support of regional and national corrections leaders, senior management, heads of corrections, as well as the above-mentioned external horizontal collaborations with NIOs and Inuit communities are required to address the needs of Inuit and see them return to their home communities as contributing members of their families and society.
A way forward:
The founding principles of this Strategy were derived in consultation with Inuit, who are best positioned to determine the best course of action to address the incarceration, repatriation, and rehabilitation of Inuit individuals serving a federal sentence. As such, housing federally incarcerated Inuit within their home communities, working with Northern communities, providing culturally appropriate interventions throughout the Indigenous Continuum of Care, and engaging in meaningful partnerships across all spectrums are the guiding steps to the rehabilitation of CSC’s Inuit population. Anijaarniq – the observation of weather, wind, and stars to plan for the coming day – has scoped the way forward for Inuit corrections, and CSC will continue course and walk in that direction.