Métis Justice Institute

Minister of Justice: Julyda Lagimodiere

The Métis Justice Institute (MJI) of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) was established in July 2003. The MJI is assigned the task of focusing responsibility and authority for justice issues within the Manitoba Métis Federation.

The mandate of the Métis Justice Institute is to develop and maintain a full range of justice services and programs that meet the expectations of the Red River Métis Community in Manitoba. The MJI is guided by our Minister to establish working relationships and partnerships to provide support and advocacy to Red River Métis Citizens in need of justice support by focusing on the following objectives:

1. Reduce the number of Red River Métis Adults and Youth in the Criminal Justice System,
2. Prevent and reduce crime, as well as enhance the safety and well-being of Red River Metis individuals and the Red River Métis Community,
3. Strengthen Red River Métis Families and the Red River Métis Community to promote a strong Nation,
4. Support the grassroots level where justice measures are developed and delivered by individuals who have direct interest in the Red River Métis Community; and,
5. Ensure that justice measures are culturally specific and incorporate Red River Métis values, traditions and culture.

Community Inquiries

The MJI may be contacted by Red River Métis Citizens to assist with support, advocacy and information regarding resources to help with specific justice issues.

The Métis Justice Institute welcomes Red River Métis Community Inquiries that seek out assistance with information regarding resources to help with justice issues and concerns. The Métis Justice Institute does not provide legal services or provide money to pay for these services but will assist with resource information and paperwork completion to help deal with legal issues.

The MJI has a resource listing available for each Region that can assist in the areas of legal advice, legal aid referrals, record suspension (formerly known as Pardons) information, policing issues, advocacy, addictions, housing, transportation, employment and training, Manitoba Public Insurance, identification, individual support with probation orders, food and individual support.

Should Red River Métis Citizens you be seeking information on these supports and services they may send inquiries to:

Email: mjireception@mmf.mb.ca

Phone: 204-949-9557

Initiatives of the Métis Justice Institute

Since the establishment of the Métis Justice Institute in 2003, the MJI has continued to lobby the Province of Manitoba and Canada to work towards the development of Red River Métis specific justice programs and services. The MJI has utilized information obtained through Red River Métis Community Consultations to focus efforts to develop Red River Métis Community Justice Programming that will support Red River Métis Citizens involved in the Criminal Justice System.

Current Initiatives for the Métis Justice Institute:

• The Red River Métis Community Justice Centre Justice Navigation Program
• The Red River Métis Court Work Program
• The Red River Métis Justice Support Program
• The Red River Métis Family Support Project
• The Métis Community Justice Program

Future Development for the Métis Justice Institute:

• Red River Métis Mediation Program
• Resources for Red River Métis Citizens Outside of Manitoba
• Red River Métis Victim Support Program
• Red River Métis Life Skills Program
• Education Resources
  • Red River Métis educational resources for youth
  • Red River Métis within the Justice System Program

Red River Métis Community Justice Centre Justice Navigation Program

The Red River Métis Justice Navigation Program (CJC) was developed by the Manitoba Métis Federation and seeks to connect Red River Métis Citizens that are involved in the Justice System with culturally appropriate information, resources, and support through our Knowledge Mobilization Model. This model provides Citizens with access to navigation services that focuses on education and awareness.

There are various areas that the Community Justice Centre can assist Red River Métis Citizens with, including:

• Building connections with Red River Métis Citizens, including youth that are justice involved with the goal of educating, providing wrap around support, and reducing recidivism.
• Connecting Red River Métis Citizens with relevant information on available resources, services, and programming.
• Raising awareness of programs and services provided through the Métis Justice Institute, and through other Manitoba Métis Federation Departments.

Inquiries:

Email: mjireception@mmf.mb.ca

Phone: 204-949-9557

Office: 204-586-8474 ext. 2014

Additional Resources:

Red River Métis Court Work Program

The Red River Métis Court Work Program facilitates and enhances access to justice for Red River Métis Citizens involved in the court system.

The Red River Métis Court Work Program provides two areas of service:

• In court services - Assisting Red River Métis Citizens with legal process navigation, court liaison and advocacy, Youth advocacy and client support;
• Out of court services - Assisting Red River Métis Citizens with education and outreach, cultural sensitivity, collaboration and partnership as well as information and referral.

The program currently offers services in the Southwest Region, Interlake Region, and Winnipeg Region.

The program supports individuals through:

• Assisting clients with understanding court processes, outcomes and procedures
• Assisting clients with understanding restorative justice
• Assisting clients with legal translation
• Promoting legal understanding through education
• Referrals to resources and supports

Email: metiscourtworkprogram@mmf.mb.ca

Phone: 204-949-9557

Red River Métis Justice Support Program

The Red River Métis Justice Support Program (JSP) was developed by the Manitoba Métis Federation to focus on the delivery of an efficient and effective reintegration process for Red River Métis Citizens (including youth) in conflict with the justice system.

The support that this program offers:

• Assists men, women, and youth in conflict with the justice system to reintegrate into the community
• Services Red River Métis Community members that have been remanded, are currently incarcerated, have been released from provincial or federal correctional facilities or have received community dispositions
• Assists individuals to identify and access resources to overcome barriers and address basic needs
• Assists in gaining access to Red River Métis Government departments including justice support, education, employment and training, housing supports, family supports, programming and resources

The Red River Métis Justice Support Program currently provides service in the following correctional facilities:

• Stony Mountain Institution
• Headingly Correctional Center
• Milner Ridge Correctional Center
• Women's Correctional Center
• Winnipeg Remand Center
• Brandon Correctional Center
• The Pas Correctional Center
• Manitoba Youth Center
• The Red River Métis Justice Support program also provides services to those that are incarcerated outside of Manitoba

Email: mjireception@mmf.mb.ca

Phone: 204-949-9557

Red River Métis Family Support Project

The Red River Métis Government has developed a Missing and Murdered Métis Citizens Family Support Project to help families of missing, at risk, and/or murdered loved ones with access to Red River Métis distinctions-based supports and resources. The Red River Métis Family Support Project provides support to Métis families with a trauma-informed approach for access to or identification of services. The main goal is to support victimized families, whilst enhancing the resources already available in order to bring justice and closure to Métis families.

The Red River Métis Family Support Project program objectives include:

• Raise awareness toward the general issue of missing and murdered Red River Métis Citizens.
• Provide education and preventative measures for Red River Métis families.
• Highlight specific cases through a targeted communication strategy.
• Provide information and intake for families request for support through the Pey-Key-Way-Ta-Hin - Bring Me Home Reward Project

Métis Community Justice Program

The Métis Community Justice Program (MCJP) is a Court Diversion Program that delivers culturally appropriate justice alternatives. These alternatives support the diversion of Red River Métis people from the mainstream justice system to a community-based alternative.

The Métis Community Justice Program focuses on providing culturally appropriate supports, alternatives, advocacy and resources to individuals that are referred to us. The MCJP client referrals come from the Crown or the RCMP through the Restorative Justice Center process. Our process focuses on building relationships within the community to repair the harm done by individuals diverted to the program at a community-based level.

The MCJP currently operates out of the following regions:

• Interlake Region
  • Manitoba Métis Federation - Métis Justice Institute
  • 200 Main Street
  • Winnipeg, MB, R3C 1A8
  • Office Phone: 204-949-9557
• Southeast/Southwest Region
  • Manitoba Métis Federation - Métis Justice Institute
  • 200 Main Street
  • Winnipeg, MB, R3C 1A8
  • Office Phone: 204-949-9557
• The Pas Region
  • 456 Fischer Avenue
  • The Pas, MB, R9A 1M2
  • Office Phone: 204-623-5701
• Northwest Region
  • 422 Main Street South
  • Dauphin, MB, R7N 1K9
  • Office Phone: 204-638-9485
• Thompson Region
  • 171 Cree Road
  • Thompson, MB, R8N 0C2
  • Office Phone: 204-677-1430