ONFC Annual Report

INDIGENOUS CRIMINAL COURTWORK
PROGRAM
Report Contributor: Jennifer Valiquette
Program Description:
The Indigenous Courtwork Program assists Indigenous youth and adults involved in the criminal justice system to obtain fair,
just, equitable, and culturally relevant supports. The program ensures that Gladue Rights are understood and applied, and
assists in navigating the systems and phases of the criminal process, as well as community supports.
The Indigenous Criminal Courtwork Program works supports community members in acquiring legal information; support
in remand, bail, pre-sentence, and sentencing phases; as well as some probation supports. The Courtworker program is also
actively involved in the Indigenous People’s Court, and works in collaboration with the Odawa justice-related programs:
Bail Supervision, Community Reintegration, Community Justice (diversion), Traditional Helper, Healing & Wellness, Kizhaay
Anishinaabe Niin, 510 Drop-in, and Cultural Resource Program.
How we adjusted our Program to deal with COVID-19:
• Sadly we lost many clients/community members and loved ones this year. We are keeping them all in our hearts and
minds.
• While all in-person remand and sentencing courts have been moved to virtual operations this year, we continue to
support individuals as possible - periodically outreaching safely to the community with posters and information on the
court changes.
• We maintain regular contact with clients, defense counsel and Crown Attorneys for client advocacy and supports, attend
virtual courts, keep up-to-date on community program changes for referral purposes and court updates, daily review of
criminal court dockets, communications with the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre Native Inmate Liaison and many
other Indigenous and community supports as needed.
• Staff participated in various workshops, presentations and conferences, on various topics virtually, rather than inperson.
Key Highlights of Program:
• In partnership with the Ottawa Public Library, we provided devices and hotspots (wifi) for client access to court and
other urgent virtual meetings (bail, probation) to 510 Drop-in, and to a staff outreach capacity.
• Periodic socially-distanced outreach with bail supervisor, providing court-related updates and information to reduce
instances of unnecessary bench warrants.
• Launch of Odawa partnership with Pro-Bono Students Canada (PBSC) and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship
Centres (OFIFC) program: Indigenous Human Rights Clinic (available virtually).
Statistics:
• 151 individuals with new and outstanding criminal matters.
• Victim, witness, family member supports: 23 individuals.
• Non-criminal matters supported and referred concerning:
• Civil / small claims matter
• Family matters
• Human Rights (eg. police excessive force)
• Ontario Review Board.
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