The past few weeks have been busy as I attended the Gladue team training in Ottawa, collaborated with the ALS Board to create our Strategic Plan, and prepared for our AGM in December. As an organization, ALS understands the importance of receiving feedback from our front-line workers, being client-focused, and reporting back to the community.
This month I went to Ottawa to participate in the Gladue training and meeting. It was my first time meeting the Gladue writers and Case Workers in person. It was great to meet them and express my gratitude for all the work they have done in writing the reports and assisting our clients.
Gladue reports outline the mitigating factors for judges to take into consideration when sentencing. Gladue factors include their personal experiences with colonization, loss of language, loss of culture, impacts of residential schools and/or day schools, systemic discrimination, and/or foster care. For many of the people having reports done, it may be the first time they are revealing the harm and trauma they have experienced.
Opening these wounds can cause unresolved trauma to resurface. Our Gladue writers are trauma-informed and ensure their clients are supported during and after the interviews. The Caseworkers assist the clients with aftercare to ensure they have resources to address the trauma they have revealed. As a previous Gladue writer, I can appreciate the hard work they do as this can sometimes trigger our own personal experiences. At the Gladue training, I acknowledged their hard work and encouraged the team to do their own self-care before and after working with clients.
Listening to the Gladue Writers and Caseworkers at the meeting reminds me of the work that still needs to be done. During our Strategic Plan sessions, I recalled the Gladue Writers and Caseworker’s feedback. They reminded me that we need to focus on healing and ending intergenerational impacts. We see with rising incarceration rates that punishment is not working and, if anything, is doing more harm. Without giving too much away regarding the Strategic Plan, the need for cultural responsiveness is key in addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people.
In addition, we have been busy planning our Annual General Meeting (AGM). As this is my first AGM and Executive Director’s Report, I am excited to be able to speak to the members about the progress we have made this year.
As I have grown into my position as Executive Director, I am honoured and humbled to work with an amazing team who are so passionate about helping people involved in the justice and child welfare systems. As we move into the new year, I am optimistic that we will continue to evolve and expand our services to address the gaps we see in the justice system and provide more services that focus on healing, balance, and culture.
Chantell Barker
Getchi Nodin Ikwe
Executive Director