The St. Paul Healing to Wellness Court (Nêhiyaw Wiyasiwêwin) celebrated it’s official opening at a ceremony on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The Court will provide a culturally relevant, restorative, and holistic system of justice for Indigenous individuals and communities in the area.
It will sit on the second and fourth Friday of every month at the St. Paul Courthouse. During pre-court and court sitting, an eagle feather will be present for participants to use during administration of oaths. Smudging may also take place when requested.
The Court will deal with offences approved by the Crown or refereed to the court.
Offences involving sexual violence, homicide, aggravated assault and robbery will not be heard in the Healing to Wellness Court. Individuals will be accepted to the court at the pre-plea or post-plea stage of their criminal matter.
“Indigenous Healing to Wellness Courts were developed through consultation with the Elders and are based on a spiritual core of ancient Indigenous knowledge. The development of the Healing to Wellness Court focuses on identifying key elements of how we can use our traditional ceremonies and culture to reduce an Indigenous offender’s criminogenic behaviours.”
Ivan Ladouceur, Justice, Alberta Court of Justice
