MMF applauds increased role in Indigenous Court Workers Program

Press Release

June 29, 2021

Winnipeg, MB, in the Métis Nation Homeland – The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is appreciative of today’s announcement by the Government of Manitoba that Indigenous rights holder organizations will take over operations of the majority of the Indigenous Court Workers Program in key regional and circuit court locations.

MMF Justice Minister Julyda Lagimodiere said the move is integral to ensuring that Métis people receive the proper supports through the best possible channels. A significant part of this will be through culturally appropriate support, including restorative justice and considerations of family and community impacts.

“With the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s criminal justice system, there remains a strong need for Métis-led, culturally appropriate support and assistance,” Minister Lagimodiere said. “Restorative justice and consideration for the impacts to the family and the community are important parts of our Nation’s identity. We look forward to providing support to those who need it.”

Referencing the Indigenous saying “nothing about us, without us”, Minister Lagimodiere said the MMF is grateful for the provincial government’s continued commitment to improving services for Métis people who need to interact with the criminal justice system.

“The transfer of responsibility for the Indigenous Court Workers Program, is another step towards the Métis Nation focusing efforts to provide Métis-specific programming for our Citizens,” Minister Lagimodiere said.

Three other Indigenous rights holder organizations are also included in the transition: Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Southern Chiefs Organization, and the Island Lake Tribal Council. As part of the announcement, provincial Justice Minister Cameron Friesen said the Manitoba Government will support the transition through annual grants totaling more than $1 million per year for two years.

“Our government understands that Indigenous Manitobans need access to justice resources such as restorative justice and diversion options at the community level, and we are pleased to take another step towards reconciliation by investing in meaningful, Indigenous-led supports in our province,” Friesen said. “Shifting these resources to rights holder organizations working directly with communities will ensure Indigenous people who come in contact with the criminal justice system will have greater access to this valuable resource at the earliest point possible.”

The MMF hopes that today’s announcement is only the first step in addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. Specifically, Minister Lagimodiere is eager to see an expanded Indigenous Investigations Unit, as well as Métis Nation consultation regarding the Police Services Act and the Métis-specific Gladue Report.

“It is only through consultation and partnership in a nation-to-nation, government-to-government framework that reconciliation can be achieved for the Métis Nation of Manitoba,” Minister Lagimodiere said.

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is the democratic self-governing political representative for the Métis Nation’s Manitoba Métis Community. The Manitoba Métis Community is Canada’s Partner in Confederation and the Founder of the Province of Manitoba.

For more information, media may contact:

Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Metis Federation
204-801-7710Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

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