AWASIS FIRST NATIONS FAMILY JUSTICE PROJECT
RECEIVES FUNDING

WINNIPEG - February 7, 2000 - The governments of Canada and Manitoba are sharing the cost of the $703,088 Awasis First Nations Family Justice Project to provide culturally appropriate, community-based justice programs for Aboriginal families.

The announcement of the pilot project, Mee-Noo-Stah-Tan Mi-Ni-Si-Win, was made today by Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, on behalf of Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Anne McLellan, and Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Eric Robinson.

Under the agreement, the federal Aboriginal Justice Strategy (Department of Justice Canada) is providing $350,088 and Manitoba Family Services and Housing is providing $353,000.

The 24-month project will be administered by the Thompson office of the Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba, a child and family services organization serving 14 communities north of the 51^st parallel. Three full time and four half time positions have been created under the project. The Awasis Agency is part of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) organization, which represents approximately 34,000 people in 25 Cree, Ojibway Cree and Denesuline First Nations communities.

"Giving community members a meaningful and positive role to play in the justice process is the path to healthier and more viable communities," said Minister Axworthy. "The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Government of Manitoba in the Mee-Noo-Stah-Tan Mi-Ni-Si-Win pilot project which will empower Awasis First Nations in Manitoba to provide unprecedented family justice programs."

"This innovative justice program recognizes the cultural and community needs of Manitoba’s Aboriginal people in addressing family issues," said Minister Robinson. "It will be a valuable asset in restoring the traditional support systems that promote the well-being and best interests of Aboriginal children within the context of family and community."

Mee-Noo-Stah-Tan Mi-Ni-Si-Win will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will be a community-based conflict resolution program designed to assist healing and restore relationships among the people affected. The second phase will determine the most effective way for child and family matters in these communities to be dealt with by the court, including the use of community magistrates.

The six First Nations communities participating in the project are Norway House (Kinosao Sipi), Nelson House (Nisichawayasihk), God’s Lake Narrows (Manito Sahkahikan), God’s River (Manto Sipi), War Lake (Mooseocoot) and York Factory (Kawechwasik).

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Ref.: Government of Canada

Dave Hickey
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Line Chabot-Racine
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Richard Turcotte
Regional Coordinator
Aboriginal Justice Directorate
Department of Justice
(613) 941-4103

Internet: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/index.html

Government of Manitoba

Harlan M. Mushumanski
Communications Coordinator
Aboriginal and Northern Affairs
(204) 945-0787

Internet: http://www.gov.mb.ca/cgi-bin/press/release.pl