Pathways to healing
CSC is advancing the calls for justice concerning Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people
Correctional Service Canada (CSC) contributes to public safety in Canada. We support the safety and well-being of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people inside and outside of the Canadian justice system.
To do this, we have been advancing the calls for justice relating to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which can be found in the Government of Canada's 2022-2023 Federal Pathway Annual Progress Report. We have been developing culturally appropriate solutions that better support the challenges Indigenous peoples face within the federal correctional system.
Here's how we've been taking action towards real, progressive and systemic change. We've:
- Appointed our first-ever Deputy Commissioner for Indigenous Corrections, Kathy Neil, a Metis woman, on May 1, 2023
- Renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Native Women's Association of Canada to support Indigenous women and gender diverse people in the Correctional Officer Training Program and increase representation within our workforce
- Added beds in Healing Lodges
- Worked with Elders and Indigenous Liaison Officers in order to take an Indigenous team approach to corrections
- Supported Indigenous cultural programs and vocational training such as "Walls to Bridges" and other Pathways programs
- Worked with Indigenous partners, Indigenous communities and academic partners such as the University of Regina
Read more about each Call for Justice relating to the federal correctional system and what we're doing to advance them, below.
Videos
Call for Justice 14.1
Establish facilities to ensure that Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people have options for decarceration
CSC provides culturally appropriate interventions, treatments and facilities focused on transition to the community. CSC is also:
- enhancing capacity within Healing Lodges
- completing the draft five-year Section 81 Strategy for Healing Lodges
- consulting Indigenous organizations on the implementation of An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- consulting Indigenous organizations such as the National Indigenous Advisory Committee (NIAC)
Call for Justice 14.4
Evaluate security classification scales and tools to consider the nuances of Indigenous backgrounds and realities
CSC works with academics to include Indigenous voices and Indigenous Research Methodologies when developing security assessment tools. This includes:
- working with independent researchers at the University of Regina
- welcoming arm's length support from the Elders Council at the University of Regina
Call for Justice 14.6
Provide mental health, addictions, and trauma services for incarcerated Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
CSC works with National Indigenous organizations and advisory bodies to help ensure the successful rehabilitation and community reintegration for Indigenous women. This includes:
- making policy changes to Healing Lodges that emphasize relationship-building and renewed partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations
- securing additional community beds at Healing Lodges such as the new Thunder Women Healing Lodge in Toronto, Ontario
- removing barriers and increasing supportive releases for Indigenous women in home communities
Call for Justice 14.8
Ensure correctional facilities recognize the needs of Indigenous women when designing and implementing programming
Providing culturally appropriate programming and traditional healing practices by Elders and Spiritual Advisors is important to successful rehabilitation and intervention needs of Indigenous women. CSC:
- reviews available operational, mental health and personnel resources
- works with Nekaneet First Nation in Saskatchewan to support the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge for women
- improves mental health, trauma and gender responsive interventions
Call for Justice 14.9
Increase opportunities for meaningful vocational training, secondary school graduation, and post-secondary education
CSC works with Indigenous organizations to provide them with funding for needs-based and culturally safe reintegration support for Indigenous offenders. CSC is:
- providing over 4.8 million in funding for programs such as CSC's Indigenous Offender Reintegration Contribution Program
- providing Indigenous women with employment and employability skills training through the Indigenous Offender Employment Initiative (IOEI)
- welcoming the help and support of Indigenous communities, in regards to reintegration, through our partners
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