Akwesasne Community Justice Program

The Indigenous Court Worker (ICW) Program supports Mohawks of Akwesasne and other Indigenous peoples as they navigate the justice system. Rooted in a Kanien’kehá:ka approach to justice, the program ensures that individuals understand their rights, responsibilities, and options — while promoting fair and culturally respectful treatment in both local and provincial courts.

Our Mission

To promote a Kanien’kehá:ka approach to justice that respects the rights of all Akwesasronon while building understanding between the community and justice systems.

What We Do

The Indigenous Court Worker provides guidance and support for community members involved in the justice system, including those appearing in:

• Akwesasne Court
• Criminal, Youth, Family, and Bail Courts in Cornwall, Ontario and Valleyfield, Québec

Services include:

Legal Support & Navigation

• Explaining charges, legal options, and court procedures.
• Providing information on rights and responsibilities.
• Clarifying the roles of the Akwesasne Court and Akwesasne Community Justice Program.
• Speaking on behalf of the accused in court when needed.

Referrals & Advocacy

• Referrals to Legal Aid, legal resources, and social services.
• Support with education, employment, health, and counseling resources to address root causes of justice involvement.
• Bail supervision and assistance navigating court orders.

Cultural Advocacy

• Helping court officials understand Mohawk values, traditions, and community perspectives.
• Supporting Indigenous victims and witnesses by explaining justice procedures and reducing barriers to communication.

Community Education

• Public legal education and outreach.
• Supporting families and community members in understanding the justice system and alternative justice options.

ICW Contact:

Patti Bova, Indigenous Court Worker
Phone: 613-575-5007 ext. 1332
Email: patti.bova@akwesasne.ca 

The Youth Justice Worker (YJW) Program provides culturally grounded, community-based services for Indigenous youth aged 12 to 17 who have come into conflict with the justice system. Whether on probation, conditional supervision, or community supervision, this program aims to support rehabilitation, reintegration, and positive growth for Akwesasronon youth and their families.

Who Is Eligible?

• First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit, or Métis youth.
• Between the ages of 12–17 at the time of offence.
• Found guilty and currently under probation or community supervision.

Services Offered

• Collaborative Supervision
  Work alongside Youth Probation Officers and youth to ensure court conditions and case recommendations are followed.
• Workshops & Intervention Support
  Provide trainings and educational sessions for youth, parents, and caregivers that promote accountability, cultural values, and life skills.
• Resource Navigation
  Maintain a robust inventory of services and supports available to youth and their families within the community.
• Advocacy & Legal Education
  Help youth and families understand their rights and responsibilities within the justice system.
• Case Management & Coordination
  Collaborate with agencies and facilities to offer coordinated support through case planning, consultation, and case conferences.
• Custody Support Services
  Assist youth in custody by offering counseling, referrals, and continued advocacy during their sentence.
• Ongoing Support for Youth & Families
  Offer consistent guidance and supervision for youth and their families, helping build stronger foundations for success and well-being.

YJW Contact:

Mike Benedict, Youth Reintegration Worker
Phone: 613-575-5007 ext. 1336
Mobile: 613-662-6983
Email: mike.benedict@akwesasne.ca 

The Alternative Measures Program offers culturally appropriate alternatives to the traditional court process for Aboriginal youth and adults involved in minor offences. The program focuses on healing, responsibility, and community-based solutions.

What are Alternative Measures?

Also known as pre-charge diversion, Alternative Measures allow offences to be addressed without formal court charges. Referrals usually come from policing agencies.

Process:

• Referral by Police with explanation of the program.
• Brief Occurrence Report requested.
• Intake meeting scheduled with the Akwesasne Community Justice Program.
• ACJP explains the program and obtains consent.
• Conference held with Community Neh Kanikonri:io Council members, facilitator, accused, victim, supporters, and resource people.
• CNC makes recommendations; a formal agreement is signed.
• Compliance means no formal charges; matter resolved through ACJP.

Who is Eligible?

• Aboriginal youth and adults (status, non-status, Métis, Inuit)
• Charged with Class I offences and some Class II offences under the Criminal Code
• Individuals with a criminal record may participate in Old Ways Conferences

What is an Old Ways Conference?

An Old Ways Conference deals with an offence after the accused has agreed to plead guilty.

Process:

• Aboriginal Court Worker refers eligible clients to ACJP.
• Accused agrees to plead guilty.
• Crown synopsis requested.
• Intake meeting with ACJP for program explanation and consent.
• Conference held with CNC members, accused, victim, and supporters.
• CNC makes sentencing recommendations; formal agreement signed.
• Accused completes recommendations and attends court for sentencing.

What is Expected of You?

• Accept responsibility for the charge.
• Cooperate respectfully with the process.
• Participate fully and be punctual.
• Complete all recommendations within the agreed timeframe.
• Follow up with ACJP as required.

Failure to Comply

• Missing intake meetings, conferences, or appointments will result in your file being returned to the referring agency.
• Failure to complete recommendations will result in the matter being returned to mainstream court for further action. 

The Community Neh Kanikonri:io Council is a culturally grounded, community-led justice initiative committed to restoring harmony and accountability in Akwesasne. Rooted in traditional Kanien’kehá:ka values, the Council provides meaningful alternatives to court-based sentencing by supporting healing, responsibility, and reconciliation. 

What Is the Neh Kanikonri:io Council?

The Council is composed of trained Akwesasronon who are recognized by the courts and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne to facilitate restorative justice processes. They serve the community by offering compassionate, culturally respectful responses to conflict and harm.

Mandate:
To address criminal and community offenses through alternative measures and sentencing, guided by restorative justice principles.

Authority:
Established through a Crown Protocol Agreement with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Canada, Ontario, and Québec.
(MCR #1996/97-332)

Restorative Justice Through Circle Process

The Council hosts healing and accountability circles that include the offender, council members, and relevant participants. Each circle begins with the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen (Words Before All Else) and is facilitated in a respectful, safe environment.

Participants explore questions such as:

• What happened?
• What were you thinking at the time?
• What have you thought about since?
• Who has been affected? How?
• What can you do to make things right?

From these conversations, fair and culturally meaningful agreements are made to repair harm and promote healing. Agreements are signed by both the offender and the Council.

Membership & Structure

• Composition: Open to Akwesasronon community members
• Tenure: Lifetime appointment
• Honorarium: As per MCA Honorarium Policy
• Charter: Currently in early development stages

Interested in Joining?

The Council welcomes applications from community members committed to restorative justice and healing.

To apply, contact the Akwesasne Community Justice Program at 613-575-5007.

The Akwesasne Community Justice Program provides specialized Gladue Unit Services to support Indigenous individuals navigating the criminal justice system. Through culturally grounded and trauma-informed approaches, the Gladue team helps courts better understand the life circumstances of Aboriginal offenders and provides pathways toward meaningful, alternative sentencing.

What Is Gladue?

In the 1999 R. v. Gladue decision, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed that judges must consider the unique circumstances of Indigenous offenders during sentencing and bail decisions. This is based on Section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code of Canada, which encourages courts to consider all available sanctions other than imprisonment, particularly for Aboriginal people.

Judges must also apply Gladue principles during bail hearings, as confirmed in the 2012 R. v. Ipeelee decision.

What Is a Gladue Report?

A Gladue report is a pre-sentence or bail report written specifically for Indigenous offenders. It provides the court with:

• The individual’s life history and cultural background
• Community and family information
• Factors contributing to involvement in the justice system (e.g., intergenerational trauma, residential schools, 60s Scoop)
• Personalized, culturally appropriate sentencing recommendations

These recommendations often include restorative justice, healing circles, or treatment programs in place of incarceration.

When Can a Gladue Report Be Used?

• Bail Hearings
• Sentencing
• Parole Hearings

Who Qualifies?

Gladue reports are available to:

• First Nations, Inuit, or Métis individuals involved in the justice system.
• Aboriginal individuals within the jurisdiction of Akwesasne or members of the Mohawks of Akwesasne.

How to Request a Gladue Report

• At Bail Stage: Inform your lawyer, duty counsel, or the Judge that you wish to exercise your Gladue right and request a report.
• At Sentencing Stage: Let your lawyer or Judge know you'd like a Gladue report before sentencing.

Note: A report can take between 2 weeks and 3 months depending on the stage and complexity of the case. It is the individual’s choice whether to exercise or waive this right.

Gladue Unit Team & Roles

• Gladue Writer
  Conducts in-depth interviews, researches the client’s background, and prepares the Gladue report. Recommends alternatives to incarceration rooted in community healing and cultural practices.
• Gladue Aftercare Worker
  Supports implementation of the Gladue recommendations. Offers one-on-one guidance, referrals to services, and ongoing support to help the individual fulfill the report’s healing and rehabilitation goals.

Gladue Unit Contacts:

Darilee Wythe-Swamp, Gladue Writer
Phone: 613-575-5007 ext. 1338
Mobile: 613-551-3717
Email: darilee.swamp@akwesasne.ca 

Brittney Skidders, Gladue Aftercare Worker
Phone: 613-575-5007 ext. 1333
Mobile: 613-361-2904
Email: brittney.skidders@akwesasne.ca 

The Ronathahi:io Program is a community-based early release initiative offered through the Akwesasne Justice Department under Section 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA). The program allows eligible Onkwehon:we (Indigenous) offenders to serve a portion of their sentence within their home community, with support and supervision, provided the community agrees.

Purpose

Ronathahi:io is rooted in restorative principles and aims to provide culturally appropriate reintegration for offenders by:

• Honouring traditional values and community responsibility.
• Creating individualized, community-informed release plans.
• Supporting reintegration through supervision, family involvement, and healing-based programming.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for early release under Ronathahi:io, an individual must:

• Be a member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne.
• Be a first-time offender or qualify through case-by-case review.
• Be assessed as low to moderate risk to re-offend.
• Have a medium to high reintegration potential.
• Have served at least one-sixth of their sentence (for day parole) or be eligible for Accelerated Parole Review.

The Application Process

1. Letter of Request: The offender writes to the Akwesasne Justice Designee to request CRP involvement.
2. Document Submission: Required paperwork and a signed disclosure form are submitted by the applicant.
3. File Review: Records (criminal history, pre-sentence report, court transcripts, etc.) are reviewed.
4. Community Engagement: The Justice Designee may contact families, employers, and others involved in the reintegration plan.
5. Special Conditions: If the offence involves drugs, it must be addressed through the Akwesasne Mohawk Court in accordance with the Drug and Banishment Law (MCR 1999/2000–098) before early release can be considered.
6. Parole Hearing: If approved, the plan is presented at the National Parole Board hearing.

Post-Release

Once released:

• The Ronathahi:io participant reports to their assigned Parole Officer and the local police service.
• Participants are expected to follow customized release conditions and engage in culturally appropriate healing programs.
• Ongoing support helps the individual walk the good path back to community wellness and accountability.

Note: Eligible offenders may apply only once to the Ronathahi:io Program. 

If you or someone you know has experienced harm as a result of a crime, you are not alone. Ietsiiatahónhsatat Victim Services offers confidential support, information, and guidance to Indigenous victims and their families. Our role is to help you understand your rights, navigate the justice system, and access the resources available to you. 

Who We Help

The program is open to Indigenous victims and their families who have experienced harm due to crime or other traumatic events, including:

• Abduction
• Assault
• Criminal Harassment
• Domestic Violence
• Elder Abuse
• Homicide
• Human Trafficking
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Natural Disasters
• Robbery
• Sexual Assault
• Or any other tragic circumstance

Victims may suffer in many different ways — physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, or socially. Whether the crime occurred recently or in the past, you have the right to support and justice.

How We Help

Court Support & Navigation
We help you understand what to expect during legal proceedings, attend court with you, and explain updates or outcomes related to your case.

Confidential Consultations
Unsure if you’re considered a victim? We’ll listen to your story without judgment and help determine whether a crime or victimization occurred — including in cases like scams, identity theft, or elder abuse.

Connection to Victim Compensation Funds
We assist eligible individuals in applying for financial support available through the provincial Victim Fine Surcharge Fund, including:

• One-time financial assistance
• No time limit for serious crimes such as child or sexual abuse
• Two-year application window for many other offences

Referrals & Community Support
We work with you to access counseling, medical services, safety planning, emergency shelters, and more — ensuring your needs are met holistically.

Safe and Accessible Support
We are based out of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service station, providing a convenient and secure location for victims to receive assistance.

Contact Victim Services:

Devin De Grey, Victim Support Worker
Phone: 613-575-5007
Phone: 613-575-1257
Email: devin.degray@akwesasne.ca 

Carol Jacobs, Victim Support Worker
Phone: 613-575-5007
Phone: 613-575-1257
Email: carol.jacobs@akwesasne.ca 

The Native Inmate Liaison Officer (NILO) Program supports Indigenous inmates at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) through culturally grounded services that promote healing, reintegration, and wellness. Rooted in traditional teachings and guided by a Kanien’kehá:ka approach to justice, the program aims to help inmates reconnect with their culture and prepare for successful re-entry into the community.

Our Purpose

The program blends traditional Indigenous healing methods with contemporary approaches to support inmates through:

• Traditional ceremonies (thanksgiving prayers, smudging, sweat lodge, and medicine ceremonies)
• Individual and group talking circles
• Referrals to substance abuse treatment and culturally appropriate support services
• Life skills development and healthy living guidance

Who We Serve

The NILO program is available to any First Nations, Inuit, or Métis inmate at OCDC.

What We Provide

• Cultural & Spiritual Support
  One-on-one and group-based sessions focused on traditional teachings, identity, and healing.
• Release Planning & Reintegration Support
  Help accessing resources for housing, transportation, and services that support reintegration into community life.
• Advocacy & Referrals
  Liaison with police services, legal professionals, parole boards, social service agencies, and community organizations to ensure inmate rights and supports are upheld.
• Family & Community Connections
  Coordination with family members and local service providers to assist with return-to-community planning and cultural continuity upon release.

NILO Contact:

Native Inmate Liaison Officer
Phone: 613-824-6080 ext. 446
Email: ocdc-nilo@ontario.ca