Contact
Email referrals to restorative.justice@metis.org
Gayle Desmeules
gdesmeules@metis.org
Otipemisiwak Métis Government
Office: 780 623-3039
Cell: 780-646-2183
Current/Actively taking Referrals from the Justice System
Yes, from any cultural-ethnic background.
Length of Service
One year
Geographic Area Served
Lac La Biche Court Service Area
Prosecutions Office Region
Fort Saskatchewan Prosecutor’s Office
Age Restrictions
None (youth and adult)
Service Provision Restrictions
Summary or hybrid offences: theft, harassment, bullying, conflict, mischief, simple assaults, vandalism, etc.
Take Referrals for Serious Offences
Will consider indictable offences on a case-by-case basis, except for impaired driving, drug trafficking, murder, and manslaughter.
General administrative process for handling referrals
Intake referral meetings and develop a customized consent form, prepare involved parties, engage family and community supports, facilitate a restorative process, and convene follow-up meetings—progress updates provided to justice representatives until file closure. Crown Prosecutor and Defense Attorney attend pre-sentencing events and may participate in other referred matters at their discretion.
Case closure reporting
A summary report about the process, outcome, and participant evaluative feedback is provided to the referral authority and involved parties. Referrers can contact the agency if they have any questions or updates.
What forms are required?
Referral and consent form.
General info re: time to adjudicate RJ process
On average, four months after the initial intake referral meeting. Lesser offences within three months; serious offences involving many people within four to six months.
Capacity for referrals
Can accept 3-4 referrals at any one time.
Staffing/volunteers
Program Coordinator, volunteer community facilitators, and Elders.
Facilitator Training Requirements
Introduction to Restorative Justice and Facilitating Restorative Justice Processes.
Victim Involvement
Yes. If the victim does not want to participate, offender-only processes may be considered