Content note: this article includes mention of intergenerational trauma and abuse in the justice system, which may be upsetting for some readers. If you are a CNC student or employee in need of mental health support, please contact our counsellors. Visit First Nation Health Authorities for an overview of culturally safe and trauma-informed support services to Indigenous Peoples in B.C.
Hi Stacey! Can you share more about your learning journey here at CNC?
I guess I am what they call a mature student! I’m a mom of four and recently decided to go back to school with the goal to eventually obtain a master’s degree in psychology. Fun fact: I had to take my grade 11 math as part of the entry requirements, at the same time as one of my kids in high school.
Prior to school, I used to work a lot with Indigenous communities, in particular incarcerated individuals, people that were ready to go on trial, or clients that have come into conflict with the justice system in other ways.
As an intergenerational trauma survivor of the residential school system and as a traditional healer, I wanted to get the right education to help both the offenders and victims when dealing with justice cases. First Nations health is in my heart and soul; that’s why I wanted to go back to school.
One of the courses you took was Inside-Out, an initiative that brings campus students and incarcerated individuals together in (online) classrooms. What got you interested in restorative justice?
Unfortunately, and sometimes rightfully so, there is a mistrust in the justice system. Through my work, I’ve heard so many stories about racial and violent incidents against Indigenous Peoples. Our communities are interconnected with large family dynamics and comradery; it’s not uncommon to know people from different communities. When one community is hurt by the justice system, oftentimes other communities will be too. And those negative issues tend to overshadow the positive work that law enforcers do.
During my criminology classes with instructor Marc Sinclair, we touched upon
restorative justice as a way to Indigenize and heal the justice system. There’s generally very little (mental health) support for incarcerated individuals. Many of them have experienced trauma from childhood on with repeated interference of child and family services. I believe we need to get to a solution that understands why people are in this position and offer support on a case-by-case basis.
What’s one thing you learned from the Inside-Out course that changed your thinking around the justice system?
My mom works as an Indigenous Liaison Officer in corrections, so from a young age I knew a little bit about those institutions. What surprised me was the general lack of resources for inmates to improve their lives and heal themselves. Whether its access to addition programs, mental health counselling or educational opportunities, there is very little support for them inside those walls.
What I loved about the course is that some inside students really developed a passion for education and were eager to go back to school when they served their sentence. Access to education is a key component in reducing recidivism (relapses into criminal behaviour). Their successes will have a ripple effect on other incarcerated individuals.
How are you looking back on the course?
There was a strong sense of humanity and humility throughout the course with lots of art forms (painting, poetry, etc.) to express ourselves and our life experiences. As someone who has been a victim of crime, the course was definitely triggering at times. Journaling helped a lot in those moments.
The course made me an even stronger and vocal advocate for the change that is needed in our justice system. It also made me re-assess my education and career goals; maybe I could go into law or become a policy maker. If I continue in psychology, I could work with the victims of crime, people who committed a crime, or first responders dealing with PTSD. I’m still juggling which direction to take because they’re all fascinating career paths.
What I learned is that we all have different life trajectories and histories; we’re all humans trying to make it work. I know people that made poor choices in life, have gone through the system, got educated, and are really successful now.
The Inside-Out program is life changing for both the inside and outside students as it gives a whole new perspective on humanity and the possibilities we have to heal and move on from our past. The more education we receive on restorative justice, the more it will change our collective minds about how to deal with crime, and hopefully rebuild trust in the justice system again.
The
Inside-Out program has been offered at more than 150 post-secondary institutions around the world and closer to home. CNC received support through Vancouver Island University to prepare for and offer the first section of the program in Spring 2024.
A second cohort of inside students will be participating remotely in Spring 2025 from the
Kwìkwèxwelhp (pronounced Kwee-Kwep)
Healing Village. It is among a few Indigenous healing spaces and the only longhouse within Canada’s correctional facilities at this time.
CNC is looking for partners to help us cover the program costs for incarcerated students to participate and be eligible to earn full college credits for a second-year level course on Restorative Justice. Your financial support helps us in offering an impactful educational program that will change the lives of individuals involved in justice and corrections by opening access and pathways to education and gainful employment.
The aspiration is to partner in the future with the Prince George Regional Correction Centre (PGRCC) to create local connections for CNC students and individuals that are currently incarcerated.
Connect with CNC’s
Donor Relations team to learn more about how you can support this initiative.