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Chantal Chartrand

Working in her own environment

"As a Montagnais, I find it a privilege to work on community development," says Chantal Chartrand, an Aboriginal Community Development Officer. Following in the footsteps of her mother, from Mani-Utenam, who chose to work for the federal government helping provide good care for community members, Chantal also wants to provide support to those who need it.

"My mother often took me along with her to work, and I know now that her humanity and respect for others inspired me," she says. Very committed to her job, she facilitates offenders' reintegration into communities by developing resources in those communities. "A community is more apt to welcome a delinquent if people are fully informed about his or her efforts towards reintegration, even more so if they have helped this person to work at returning to the community," says a very optimistic Chantal.

Up to now, reintegration plans that include methods from Aboriginal culture (therapies, support groups, talking circles, pairing the delinquent with a group elder, including family members in the decision-making process, etc.) have had very encouraging results. Chantal appreciates the openness of the Canadian government, which she says acts with respect for differences. She also likes the teamwork with the communities, whose way of operating and perspectives she understands very well. She has always worked in the area around Montreal, but still remained very close to her Aboriginal heritage. She has always had a great love of nature, trips, animals, kayaking, camping, and fishing, and believes that family and sharing are bedrock values. "Forming valuable links with other Aboriginals is natural for me. And it is an especially gratifying to help the First Nations recover their balance, their independence, their dignity, and their right to happiness and respect," she adds.