December 19, 2024- Toronto – This past year has been very busy as well as exciting for Aboriginal Legal Services. This year would not be possible without the support of our ALS Board, the ALS team, and our community support. ALS is pleased to highlight this past year’s successes.
This past February, ALS hosted a Restorative Justice Conference for Gladue Caseworkers as well as Community Justice Workers from across Manitoba. We were able to provide training on healing plans, workshops on breaking intergenerational impacts, sentencing circles, and information on the Giiwedin Anang Council (Indigenous Family Dispute Resolution). We had nearly 200 people in attendance. The positive evaluations that were handed demonstrated that the conference was a huge success.
In March, Aboriginal Legal Services had national news coverage as we had a joint media announcement with Arif Virani, the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada. The Justice Minister announced $2.1 million in funding to address the over-incarceration of Indigenous people. This funding will support the Community Council Program, Giiwedin Anang Council, and Gladue Aftercare. This media announcement provided a platform to showcase the work that the ALS team is providing to the address the mass incarceration of Indigenous people.
In March, we also signed our agreement to create a men’s healing program. ALS held a naming ceremony, and we were provided the name, “Sharing our Stories”. Sharing Our Stories is a healing program that focuses on restoring identity and providing access to ceremonies. The Sharing our Stories program partnered with Anishinabek Thunderbird Sundance of Ontario to ensure we have ongoing ceremonies including a Sundance ceremony
In April, we opened a cultural site on Bloor Street west where the Sharing Our Stories program is housed. This space will also be the cultural site for future cultural programs. It is a great location as it is near TTC and the participants can smudge, drum, and have weekly sharing circles.
Aboriginal Legal Services had a grand opening of the Indigenous Learning Centre that is located at the new Toronto Court House. We had a naming ceremony prior to the opening and were given the name Grandmother Buffalo Lodge. We had over 50 people attend the grand opening. We had guest speakers, had a drum and dance demonstration, feasted, and revealed the name of the Centre.
Just prior to the summer season, the Board of Directors finalized the Strategic plan. The managers met for a few days to review the strategic plan and provide feedback on the implementation plan. The leadership team was able to do some teambuilding exercises and identify the strengths and areas for improvement. We look forward to the exciting changes that ALS will implement in the next five years such as the creation of the cultural department, more collaboration with community organizations, fundraising initiatives, and the creation of an Elder’s Advisory Committee.
In July, the Sharing our Stories program participated in the Sundance Ceremony in partnership with the Anishinabek Thunderbird Sundance of Ontario. We had 5 men complete their Sundance Ceremony. It was beautiful to see the men’s spirit light up after they completed their Sundance. In addition, the men were seen how beautiful it is when people come together to pray and support each other.
September was a busy month as we held our grand opening of the SOS Bloor site office, partnered with TMU to host a powwow, participated in Toronto Council Fire’s Legacy event, and held TRC week at the Indigenous Knowledge Centre. The SOS grand opening had a tour of the space, guest speakers, and had a dance and drumming presentation. In addition, we partnered with TMU for the second time to have a powwow for the community.
In December, we held a staff appreciation day to honour all the staff for their dedication and services they provide to the Indigenous community. We had more than 40 staff attend and that was a great way to end the year.
As we look forward to 2025, we anticipate some exciting changes such as the hiring or a new program director, implementation of our strategic plan, and the creation of a cultural department.
As the board has finalized the strategic plan and they are currently working on the implementation plan. The strategic plan has four priorities that include culture, collaboration and capacity, community, client outcomes, and fundraising. The implementation plan will begin in early 2025. The strategic plan includes the creation of a Cultural Department with a focus on healing, identity, and access to ceremonies. ALS’s Bloor office will be the ALS cultural site and will host cultural activities and some indoor ceremonies. ALS will also be creating an Elder Advisory Circle that will provide guidance on the creation of the new cultural department.
The new program director will be hired in early 2025 and will assist in the development of the cultural department as well lead in the strategic plan’s implementation plan.
On behalf of the Aboriginal Legal Services, we want to wish everyone a great holiday season and happy new year!
