The month of March has been very exciting as we had a joint media announcement with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Honourable Arif Virani. As busy as it is the end of the year, the Community Council and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper program held events recognizing their clients and volunteers. We are also very excited to announce we have received funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General of Ontario to create the “Sharing Our Stories to Help Each Other” program.
On March 12, 2024, Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS) and Justice Canada held a media announcement regarding the funding for the Community Council Program in the amount of $1,290,394 over 6 fiscal years (Dec. 2021 to Mar. 2027). Justice Canada is providing $598,309 over 6 fiscal years (Dec. 2021 to Mar. 2027) for the Gladue Program. Justice Canada is providing $249,120 over 3 fiscal years (2022 to 2025) to prepare a needs assessment for the Toronto Courthouse and Bail Centre Project. This is the current funding that we have already received. This will ensure we have the funding in place to support these programs until 2027. The media announcement was an excellent opportunity for ALS to have a national platform to showcase the amazing programs and services ALS provides to the Indigenous community.
At ALS, we recognize the valuable contributions of our volunteers and Elders. This past month, the Community Council held an honouring ceremony for their clients who successfully completed their diversion and programming. In addition, the Community Council held an appreciation dinner with the volunteers. The volunteers were provided with lunch and gifts of appreciation. The Indigenous Knowledge Keepers were also honoured and were provided dinner and gifts for all the knowledge they share and the support they provide to their clients.
Finally, we received funding to create a new program called “Sharing Our Stories to Help Each Other” for men on probation and parole. This funding will allow us to provide activities and wraparound services. The program will begin in the new year with a go date to go live at the end of April or Early May. We look forward to working with Community Corrections in providing culturally appropriate services for men in need of healing.
Chantell Barker
Executive Director