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Ontario Aboriginal Courtworker Programme |
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The Ontario Aboriginal Courtworker Programme A Programme of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres
Introduction: When a person is accused of a crime or they are dealing with family issues in court, the system can be complicated, confusing and even a frightening experience. The criminal and family justice systems can be particularly difficult to understand due to language and cultural differences between Aboriginal people and the mainstream system. In Ontario, the Aboriginal Courtworker Programme is available to provide assistance to all Aboriginal people who are in contact with legal system, whether they are Status, Non-Status, Métis or Inuit. Aboriginal Courtworker help their clients receive fair and equitable treatment from the legal system and assist clients in gaining a better understanding of their rights and obligations in the legal system.
Aboriginal Courtworker Services a Courtworker will: ¨ Provide a variety of services to Aboriginal people who require support in family and criminal court ¨ Deliver services to all Aboriginal people in strict confidence ¨ Explain the procedures of criminal and family court ¨ Assist Aboriginal individuals by acting as a liaison between the individual and the court ¨ Explain to the individual the reasons for their arrest, their legal rights and responsibilities and information regarding the charges they face ¨ Provide information about Legal Aid if the accused/family cannot afford a lawyer ¨ Obtain the services of Aboriginal language interpreters when needed, and Aboriginal cultural interpreters if it has bearing on the case ¨ Explain to client the decision that the court makes at various stages of their case ¨ May participate in preparation of a Pre-Sentence Report to ensure that the background of a convicted Aboriginal person is properly presented ¨ Explain to a person placed on bail and probation what this means and what is expected of them ¨ Work with community agencies to help the client/family meet their immediate and long-term needs and goals in relation to a court process
Courtworkers will not: ¨ Provide legal advice ¨ Act as language interpreters for the court or ¨ Supervise bail, probation or parole
The Courtworker Programs will: ¨ Conduct public education workshops for the Aboriginal community ¨ Participate in the community development of prevention programmes, with an emphasis on youth to reduce the incidences of crime; and assist in the development and delivery of Aboriginal Community Justice programmes ¨ Provide education to the judiciary to help them better understand the culture, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal people
THE OFIFC AND THE COURTWORKER PROGRAMME The Aboriginal Courtworker Programme is available through Friendship Centres across the province. This Programme is administered by the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) with funds provided jointly by the federal Department of Justice and the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. The OFIFC role in the administration of the Programme includes; the smooth operation and development of the overall Programme by: ¨ Identifying needs in the Programme ¨ Providing support and training
Aboriginal Courtworkers began to attend courts in the 1960’s the programme has developed to a point where it has now earned the respect of the police, the courts, other related agencies and the federal and provincial governments. As well, the Courtworker Programme has been a fundamental stepping stone to the development of Aboriginal Community Justice Programmes within a number of Friendship Centre communities across the province. |
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122 East Street Sault Ste. Marie, ON Canada P6A 3C6 Phone: 705-256-5634 Fax: 705-942-3227 E-mail: info@ssmifc.ca |
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