Dehsahsodre

(Day-sah-sown-dreht)

Meaning: You will join things together in Unity.

The traditional justice systems of our First Peoples communities involved more holistic processes that focused on looking to resolve the root of the offences instead of direct punishments. In their healing journey, individuals are asked to give back to the communities and/or any parties they have offended, participate in circle processes to help understand the context of the offense, share feelings and thoughts, create a plan of action to start their healing journey, develop a sense of belonging in their community, and participate in addictions or other necessary counselling. This process is not an easy way out. The individual must take full responsibility for their actions, and in some cases, even have to reckon with those they have wronged face-to-face. This process can allow the victim to have closure, ask the questions they need to get a fuller understanding of their situation, receive a real, heart-felt apology and, in many cases, the assurances they need to see that the person has truly changed and has started on a new path.

Restorative justice, like that described above, has proven time and again to be more effective than punitive justice**(the belief that severe punishment is deserved for crime)** at lowering recidivism rates, which are the rates at which individuals reoffend after release. Restorative justice is effective because it seeks to lessen the forces that drive individuals to crime, such as poverty, homelessness, unresolved trauma, mental illness, gang involvement, addictions, or learned abusive behaviours; and increase the protective factors, such as sense of belonging, community involvement, access to supports, education, and skills development to keep individuals on track. We have just started implementing these ideals to help some of most at-risk community members in the justice system, and are working to develop a full Diversion program in the future.

We believe in bridging gaps and systemic differences within the Justice System, Child Protection and other systems in order to reduces the intergenerational trauma within FNMI communities and bring about holistic approaches that support healing and reconciliation.

Criminal / Drug / Youth Court Support Worker/ Family Court Support Worker/ Systems Navigation :

Dehsahsodre Program Coordinator/Bail Supervisor:

Serena Wesley – swesley@h7g.ca

Dehsahsodre Court Support Worker:

Skyla Poll- spoll@h7g.ca

Our Dehsahsodre Legal Services works closely with the other services that are provided within The Healing of The Seven Generations to provide a holistic and wrap-around set of services for our First People’s (FNMI) and continues to grow with the changing needs for programs.

Our team prides themselves on working closely with the mainstream organizations that are vital to our First Peoples in their journey through the Justice system. We believe in providing a full circle wrap-around approach within our community. This approach allows our team to work with our community members from the beginning of their journey and along their path. We utilize a trauma informed and restorative justice approach within our services.

Court Supports

Our Court Support Program – helps individuals involved in all five courts (Criminal, Mental Health, Drug, Youth, and Family) of the justice system. We offer advocacy and mediation to ensure First Peoples can better access the justice system and have a range of other supports to assist those wanting to start their healing journey.

Services provided by Dehsahsodre:

Healing Lodge Intakes/Referrals
Assistance with Legal Aid
Filling out Filing Legal Documents
Referrals to Legal Representation
Walkthrough of Court Processes
Understanding Your Charges and What Happens Next
Knowing Your Rights
Gladue Letters & Statements
Traditional Counseling
Private Gladue Reports (public funder coming soon)
Status Cards Applications
Name Change Forms
Family Custody Issues
Family Court
Child Protection
Family and Children Services Support
Family and Children Services Visitation Location
Drop Off Location for Visitations
Healing Circles
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Eagle Feather Available for Court Hearings
Information and Training on First people’s (FNMI) issues and Legislation for Lawyers, Justices, Crown, and Court Workers.
Advocacy
Mental Health supports and referrals
Addictions support and referrals
Bail Program
Diversion Program (coming soon)
IPC (Indigenous Peoples Court)

Our team

We currently have 1 Court Support Worker who work in all types of courts including: Criminal Courts which consist of; Domestic Violence Court, Youth Court, Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Indigenous Peoples Court, Bail Court, Trial Court, and Video Court in both the Waterloo region as well as the Guelph-Wellington region.

Family Courts which consist of the Provincial level, federal level, child protection and dual family court. They are available to help in all forms and levels of Family court including: provincial, superior, unified, child protection, F&CS, ADR. Our FCS is available to meet and attend any appointment with Family and Children Service, and can assist in requesting an ADR or Healing Circle as well as hosting them. Our staff work with these supports in both the Waterloo region and the Guelph-Wellington region

Traditional Counselors are a key part in our program, and we have a male and female elder available for these sessions. These individuals can help with guidance, understanding and traditional methods to help guide you along your journey.

Systems Navigation is an important area in which our team provides clarity, advocacy and support to our community members within the large catchment area that we support. Some of these systems include and are not limited to the Justice system, education, health, Government, etc.

Our staff are very active in advocacy and support within the Child Protection system and Family and Children Services. Our staff work very closely with the client, their family, children, lawyers, courts and FACS workers in making sure that the rights of our FNMI families and children are being acknowledged and adhered to. We partake in ODR/ADR healing circles, first response interventions, plan of cares, and referrals. H7G has a parenting program that is offered to our FNMI families and those who are raising FNMI children that is recognized by FACS Waterloo as an alternative to the main stream parenting program.

Bail Program

All of our staff are trained in trauma-informed practices and restorative justice practices. They are all available to help guide you through the court process, as well as guide you in filling out court papers and how to file them. Our staff has worked tirelessly to build relationships with the lawyers within the region to assist you with your journey and providing you with the best support possible.

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