National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Federal Solicitor General Honours Aboriginal Pioneers in Corrections

OTTAWA, JUNE 21, 2001 — Federal Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay paid tribute today to three individuals who have been pioneers in the provision of correctional services to Aboriginal offenders. A special ceremony, which coincided with National Aboriginal Day, was held on Parliament Hill to honour the recipients.

The Solicitor General presented citations to Al Chartrand of the Native Clan of Winnipeg and to Chester Cunningham of the Native Counselling Services of Alberta. A member of the family of the late Andy Anderson of the Allied Indian and Metis Society of Vancouver will be presented with his citation at a later date.

The Native Clan of Winnipeg, the Native Counselling Services of Alberta, and the Allied Indian and Metis Society of Vancouver were the first agencies to provide services to Aboriginal people in conflict with the law in their respective provinces. Prior to their involvement in corrections, there were no organizations to which Aboriginal offenders could look for culturally-sensitive assistance.

"These individuals and organizations were pioneers in offering Aboriginal offenders access to Elders and Native liaison services," said Solicitor General MacAulay. "Today, Elders and Native liaison workers are firmly established as core services in federal corrections."

In addition to the direct services they provided to offenders, the heads of the three organizations helped shape the development of Aboriginal corrections, in general, as advisors to successive Commissioners of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). The provision of Aboriginal offender programs by CSC is now mandated in federal legislation. The Corrections and Conditional Release Act requires that culturally-appropriate programs be provided to Aboriginal offenders.

"In the past quarter century we have moved from a situation in which there was little involvement of Aboriginal communities in correctional matters to one in which these communities are becoming increasingly active," the Solicitor General added. "Several are currently involved in the operation of Healing Lodges and in the community supervision of offenders, for example."

Increasingly, the Correctional Service of Canada looks to Aboriginal people to assist in developing and delivering programs and services to Aboriginal offenders. In addition, CSC is actively recruiting Aboriginal staff as a means of making the correctional process even more sensitive and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal offenders.

For further information or third-party contacts in the community, please contact the following:

Dan Brien
Communications Assistant to the Solicitor General
613) 991-2874

Michèle Pilon-Santilli
Correctional Service of Canada, Ottawa
(613) 943-2573

 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Albert (Al) J.G. Chartrand

Al Chartrand, a Metis born at the Pas, Manitoba, spent his early years in hunting, fishing, and trapping pursuits prior to his service with the Canadian army from 1948 to 1972.

In 1972, he became the Director of Education for the Manitoba Metis Federation and was a driving force behind planning, developing, and establishing the Native Education Branch of the provincial Department of Education. He served as the Chief Court Communicator (Manitoba Attorney General's Department) from 1973 to 1990, and assisted Native people in conflict with the law and their families.

From 1973 to 1990, he was also the President of the Native Clan Organization of Winnipeg. He and his organization planned and implemented a number of programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal offenders. The numerous accomplishments of the NCO range from the establishment of halfway houses and job training programs for Aboriginal inmates, to the introduction of Native Liaison Counsellors in federal institutions and a program for juveniles in trouble with the law. The NCO was also instrumental in the establishment of the Elder program within penitentiaries, and in the introduction of sexual offender and electronic surveillance programs.

In 1990, he became a member of the National Parole Board of Canada, a position which he held until 1994. He now serves as a consultant.

Mr. Chartrand is also a carver of loons and other birds and animals.

Chester R. Cunningham, C.M., A.O.E., LLD

Chester Cunningham, of Indian and Irish (Metis) ancestry, was born in Slave Lake, Alberta.

As the founder and former CEO of Native Counselling Services of Alberta, he provided the insight, vision and drive which guided Native Counselling through 26 years of development.

He has been a labourer, a miner, a semi-professional ball player, a Native courtworker, Executive Director of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre, and Executive Director of Native Counselling Services. He has also been a consultant, a lecturer, and a social, legal and prison reformer. Many of the innovative and landmark Aboriginal justice programs in Canada have evolved as a direct result of his industry and involvement in the area.

Dr. Cunningham has been the recipient of numerous awards including: The Queen's Medal for Achievement in the Field of Corrections and Child Welfare; the Alberta Achievement Award for outstanding service to the community; the Alberta Order of Excellence; and a national Aboriginal Achievement Award. He is an Honorary Chief of the Peigan Nation and, in 1989, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 1993, he became a Member of the Order of Canada.

Mr. Cunningham is recognized internationally for his expertise and insight. He has been consulted by governments and private agencies in countries all over the world.

The Late Andy Anderson

Andy Anderson left provincial corrections to become the founding Executive Director of the Allied Indian and Metis Society (AIMS) of Vancouver in 1970. He remained in the post for 10 productive years.

Because of his experience in provincial corrections, he brought a strong sense of the needs of Aboriginal offenders to his new role. While at AIMS, he supported other agencies that were established to provide services to Aboriginal people. For example, he was a strong supporter of the Native Education Centre, which included Aboriginal offenders in its clientele.

Mr. Anderson coordinated the establishment of spiritual and Native liaison services to offenders in the Pacific region. Even though the provision of culturally-specific services for offenders was a very new concept, he was able to maintain the respect of both offenders and correctional management throughout the process.

He was a founding member of the National Aboriginal Advisory Committee and was thus able to share his vision and idea in the shaping of Aboriginal offender programs and services on a national basis.

Three years ago, the Allied Indian and Metis Society named one of its buildings, Anderson House, in his memory.