Mushkegowuk Council 19th Annual Assembly

Resolution No. 2004-09-25

First Nation

Chief Mike Metatawabin

Fort Albany First Nation

First Nation

Fort Albany

First Nation

Chief Mike Carpenter

Attawapiskat First Nation

Moose Cree

First Nation

New Post

First Nation

Adopted by Consensus

Chapleau Cree

First Nation

Certified copy of a Resolution

passed on Sept. 16, 2004

Missanabie Cree

First Nation

Mushkegowuk Aboriginal Restorative Justice System

WHEREAS the existing operation of the non-native justice is completely unsatisfactory and unacceptable, and does not in fact deliver justice to Mushkegowuk communities; and

WHEREAS the problems of the existing non-native justice system in Mushkegowuk Territories include the long delays in cases (often taking several years), the separation of family members, difficulties with existing legal aid, the dehumanizing and depersonalized methods of the "system", the enormous language and customs barriers, the criminalization of what are really social problems in the form of resort to alcohol and drugs, and the difficulty of having our community leaders and service providers link into the externally-imposed system; and

WHEREAS a justice system based on our own Aboriginal concepts and customs and language and operated by the Mushkegowuk People would better serve the cause of justice in Mushkegowuk Territory;

September 16, 2004

Cochrane, Ontario

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mushkegowuk Council move forward to establish our own

Mushkegowuk Aboriginal Restorative Justice System.