CAC in the News

Citizen Advisory Committees Engage With Aboriginal Community

[ Jun 05,2009 ]

by Nell Hales, Project Officer, Community Engagement, RHQ Prairies

From March 13 to 15, 2009, 55 individuals – including representatives from the Prairie Region's 23 Citizen Advisory Committees (CACs), First Nations representatives, RCMP staff and local politicians – joined CSC staff from NHQ, RHQ and Pê Sâkâstêw Centre for a CAC Conference in Leduc, Alberta.

Dancers (Left to right): Lyman Smallboy (Community member)
and Tyler Mackinaw (Correctional Officer)

The weekend provided regional CAC members with an opportunity to network, share ideas and strengthen their collective goals and strategies. CACs play an invaluable role in corrections through their mandate to observe, liaise and advise on a variety of correctional issues.

Participants traveled to Pê Sâkâstêw Centre, an Aboriginal Healing Lodge located in Hobbema , Alberta . For many individuals, this was their first experience with Aboriginal culture, as well as their first exposure to the culturally appropriate programs and initiatives Pê Sâkâstêw Centre provides. These programs and initiatives ultimately prepare offenders for release and successful reintegration into the community.

After an opening prayer by Elder John Crier, all staff and visitors voluntarily participated in a smudging ceremony to set the stage for a day of cultural discovery and partnership. The group was welcomed by a number of individuals, including:

• Gary MacDonald, Regional CAC Chairperson;
• Paul Urmson, then the Acting Regional Deputy Commissioner for the Prairies;
• Cecil Crier, representative from the Samson Cree Nation Band;
• Bert Bull, representative from the Louis Bull Band; and
• Rob Davies, Executive Director of Pê Sâkâstêw.

The delegation was then split into small groups for informative tours of the facility, including the administration offices, visiting area, Owîcîyîsîwak (offender) living areas, Sacred Grounds, and Spotted Eagle Community Hall – which is named after former CSC Commissioner Ole Ingstrup, who had a signficant role in the creation and development of the Pe Saskastew Healing Lodge and was given the name "Chief Spotted Eagle" by the Samson Cree Nation.

Wrapping up the afternoon, Elder John Crier and program manager Cheryl Threefingers discussed the Aboriginal programs offered at the healing lodge. The presentation focused on the challenges and successes of incorporating Aboriginal ceremonies, traditions, teachings, sweat and beliefs into conventional correctional interventions. Elders are a critical component of this process, and work very closely with an offender's entire case-management team to find that offender's own Healing Path.

After dinner on Saturday night, participants and their guests heard from Ursula Morris, National CAC Executive Committee (NEC) Chairperson, and Lori MacDonald, Assistant Commissioner, Parliamentary Affairs and Public Relations.

Morris challenged members to examine their local committee activities to ensure they are remaining consistent with CAC roles and responsibilities. She focused on the importance of credibility and impartiality in presenting an unbiased perspective on behalf of the community.

MacDonald expressed gratitude on behalf of the Service for the CAC members' contributions to the federal correctional process. She reviewed how the committees will continue to play an instrumental role in the Transformation Agenda by fostering strong collaborative relationships between CSC , communities, stakeholders and partners.

At the end of the evening, Rob Davies presented a CSC Certificate of Appreciation Award to Gawney Hinkley, Chairperson of the Pê Sâkâstêw Citizen Advisory Committee. Hinkley has been a member of the committee since 1998. His service and commitment to the healing lodge has played a key role in the successful engagement of the surrounding community.

Pê Sâkâstêw Executive Director Robert Davies presents
a CSC Certificate of Appreciation to long-serving Citizen Advisory Committee Chair Gawney Hinkley.

Early Sunday morning, participants had a unique opportunity to participate in a traditional Pipe Ceremony with Elder John Crier. The sacred pipe is one of the most powerful objects for First Nations people. In the past, this ceremony was used to open negotiations between different nations as a way to foster truthful and respectful dialogue. On this occasion, it served as an excellent way to signify the conclusion of the conference and the progress made by the CACs and CSC.