The Council of Yukon First Nations is now officially administering the Gladue Report Writing Pilot Project. The project helps to create pre-sentencing reports for judges to see whether proportional sentences are appropriate for Indigenous offenders who've faced cultural adversity.
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) has officially took over administration of the Gladue Report Writing Pilot Project from the Yukon Legal Services Society.
Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Minister of Justice Tracy Anne-McPhee made the announcement of the program transfer today, which helps judges weigh the severity and scope of a sentencing for an Indigenous person in courts based on personal experiences they've had leading up to their offence.
Mcphee says the transfer of control will help to make the reports more relative for each Indigenous offender.
"CYFN's plan is to begin outreach and educational activities in the communities regarding Gladue writing reports that come before the courts this fall. (CYFN) will also provide support and education around impact and community impact statements.They are permitted under the criminal code and are used throughout the territory — however they're not being used to the extent they can be. This work will be facilitated by the CYFN."
Grand Chief Peter Johnston says the transfer will help give Yukon First Nation offenders more knowledge on their rights in court.
"Justice is definitely one of those systems that we would like to alleviate. That includes not only the high number of Indigenous people involved in the system, but to ensure they have the opportunity to understand their rights in situations they may find themselves in. I think the biggest part of understanding and educating our people is to have that full time support for them that is offered not only in Whitehorse, but in the community's across the territory."
Two new report writers are also hoping to be added to the project, which helps to support the preparation of up to 35 Gladue Reports annually for Indigenous offenders in the Yukon justice system.
$530,000 has been spent to formalize the program since February of 2018.
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