Tansi Nîtôtemtik,
Last week, the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law hosted a panel discussion with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton. The Elizabeth Fry Society is a non-profit organization that “advances the dignity and worth of all women and girls who are or may be at risk of becoming criminalized”[1]. The organization gave law students a unique opportunity by having three Indigenous women share their stories of incarceration and reintegration.
These women bravely shared their stories with us, letting us in not only on their interactions with the justice system, but also on their lives before entering the criminal justice system. We heard stories of residential schools, addiction, anger, abuse, and lateral violence. These stories give reality to what we have been discussing all week—the people caught in the web of the criminal system did not just end up there by chance. The legacy of residential schools, the effects of intergenerational trauma, and systemic racism keep the pillars of the criminal justice system strong. Only one of the three women on the panel had received a Gladue report. One woman had never heard of Gladue reports at all. Each woman found that programming while in custody was ineffective and lacking in Indigenous awareness.
Though this reality is bleak, we also heard stories of hope; hope, as each woman accepted responsibilities for her actions despite a challenging past. Hope, because organizations like the Elizabeth Fry Society look past the crimes of a woman and remember that she too is a human deserving of love and support, regardless of what she has done. The Elizabeth Fry Society does remarkable work by supporting people through the court process, while incarcerated, and after incarceration. By offering programs in financial literacy, employment, community resources, and assisting with record suspensions, the agency puts a stopper in the revolving door of the criminal justice system.
Toni Sinclair, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society, reminded us that the women are the backbone of the agency. This is a message that we should take with us and never forget as we continue on our journey of reconciliation. The people for whom we advocate humans with a story. Their souls should never be overshadowed by their crimes, and if we want to participate in healing this nation, then we must walk forward with that message.
Until next time,
Team ReconciliAction YEG
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[1] The Elizabeth Fry Society of Edmonton, online <http://www.efryedmonton.ab.ca/>.
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