Who are We? Southern Chiefs’ Organization, representing 34 southern First Nation communities in Manitoba, was established March 1999. Mission Statement We, the Chiefs of the Southern First Nations of Manitoba, hereby agree to establish an independent political forum to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

I know where I come from, I know who I am, I know where I am going!

Vision There are no indigenous people incarcerated.

“In order to get to a world we want to live in, we have to have a major paradigm shift, one that is a million years old.” - Russel Means

Why Restorative justice? The Western Punishment System does not work for Indigenous people. First Nation people knew that harmony was essential for Mino-Pimatisiwin (the good life).

Traditional Justice Systems For Indigenous People of Turtle Island, Restorative Justice is our traditional justice model. Indigenous models of Justice had more emphasis on “Healing” and not punishment. The community members were empowered to run their own Justice systems and all community members were included. Indigenous Communities had several methods to restore harmony such as healing circles (emotional), sharing circles (mental), sentencing circles (physical), and ceremonial (Spiritual).

Restorative Justice: Holistic Healing

restorative justice Our Restorative Justice views criminal conflict as an injury to personal relationships and wellness and the disruption of harmony. Healing focused for all involved. SCO Restorative Justice believes that most unhealthy behaviours is the result of colonization, in particular the Residential School effects, unresolved trauma, and/or addictions. SCO Restorative Justice focus on Culture as an important part of healing and is the foundation of the program.

A Holistic Approach SCO Restorative Justice focuses on healing the root causes of the behavior, address current issues, allow them to learn from their mistakes, and make amends for their behavior. The program provides the client the opportunity take responsibility and make amends to the victim, family, and community. The community members are empowered to be part of the process and have input regarding the healing plan. It provides an opportunity for the impacted person, family, and community members to identify the harms caused. Clients have the opportunity to repair the harm and the relationships.

SCO Restorative justice program Strong Restorative Justice programs which includes local community control. Community Justice Workers who work directly in the community. The Community Justice Workers Coordinate the Justice Committee meetings, attend regular community networking meetings, provide workshops, programs, and cultural activities. SCO works closely with Chief and Council, the Elders Council, and the Community Justice Committee to ensure the program meets the communities’ vision.

Networking and Partnerships Partnerships with Manitoba First Nation Police Services SCO Communities, Canada, Manitoba, MKO and MMF Ongoing meetings with Crown Attorneys and Justice Officials Updates to Chief and Councils Annual Updates to the Chiefs in Summit Annual Reports Community Networking Meetings

Holistic Healing

We are all connected community FAMILY mental physical emotional SELF spiritual emotional physical SELF FAMILY community We are all connected

The Medicine Wheel north mental AIR winter west east physical spring winter summer fall north mental AIR east emotional FIRE south spiritual EARTH west physical WATER

Case management Holistic Social Needs Assessment Medicine Wheel Case Plans Community Justice Committees Healing Based Programming Elder Involvement Follow ups

mental spiritual emotional physical Elder teachings, oral traditions, learning, storytelling, observation, teaching, adapting to the environment, mediation, learning, mastery, self-determining, experience, trial and error mental spiritual emotional physical natural herbs, berries, clean water, hard work, hunting, fishing, farming, gathering, contributing to community, fasting, eating healthy, living off the land, dancing values, honour, respect, humility, giving life, vision quests, giveaways, fasting, ceremonies, giving thanks, rites of passage expressing feelings, dealing with anger, consulting with Elders, giveaways, humour, crying, laughing, honesty, singing, helping one another, gift exchange, internalizing equality, support

Coming together as one

Miigwech