‘Reframing Our Relationships with Indigenous Communities’ conference on now at Grey Eagle

An event to broaden understanding of First Nations in the justice system is taking place in our area.

Reframing Our Relationships with Indigenous Communities examines the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system and how to divert them, when possible, to alternative justice.

Police also want Indigenous people to feel safe and represented while accessing the justice system.

Police, government officials, not-for-profits and community members are sharing ideas at the event.

Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service Chief Keith Blake says people can become lost when dealing with police, lawyers and courts.

“Maybe the colonial court system and the colonial policing system isn’t what the communities want. There’s ways to adapt to bring it to a more traditional model of policing and justice,” Blake said.

“With the help of these speakers, we’re hoping to achieve a common understanding,” said Brittany Ouellette, the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service’s executive director of community impact and innovation.

“It’s not about systems change … it’s really about perspective change for the individual, to create that village amongst all of us as justice professionals.”

The conference is taking place over two days at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino.

It started Tuesday.

It also runs Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This conference is directly in line with Call to Action #57 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where governments and public institutions are urged to provide education to public servants on Indigenous Peoples’ history, such as residential schools, treaties, Indigenous law and intercultural competency,” Tsuut’ina police said in a release.

“These sessions are designed to help attendees to develop their knowledge of Indigenous rights, increase cultural awareness and implement reconciliation principles into their daily work and decision-making.”