Ø Justice: was handled by the Chief and the Elders of the community, with both victim and perpetrator involved (restorative justice model existed) The elders did not want to let anything fester for long periods of time, they wanted to find a common solution or find a common ground to build on. There was no judgment, only solution. The elders believed that if you let the situation fester that it would create more problems in the long run, and that when one person said that the issue/problem was a result of their temper, than there was hope for a resolution. In todays Justice System model (if the person says they are guilty, they go to jail, with no help or counseling or healing to take place) and the person who lies and omits to admitting a wrong, then he is safe from the justice system, and continues to make more and more mistakes without taking ownership or responsibility of the problem or issue, and the issue never gets solved. Only creates more anger and frustration. Ø Why are there Justice Buildings in the Cree Nation, and not enough Healing or Helping methods for our people, we have become a punishing and judging nation now. There’s no Healing or Helping methods, for the victims, or the Perpetrator. Just jail cells that clearly do not aid the situation. Its clear to see that our people are hurting and we are not doing anything about it, just send them away, so we don’t see them. Its like hiding a problem and not dealing with it, it festers, creates anger, resentment, hate and more discord within the home and the family and the community Ø The victim talked about how the actions hurt him/her and explained why, and the injustice they felt Ø The perpetrator would either apologize for the wrong he/she did, or conveyed or explained his behavior or actions to everyone, if not then the person needed more counseling to see that his/her actions were not conducive to the well being of the individuals involved, and the philosophy of the Nishiiyuu was then taught, that we are not here on earth to hurt or disrespect each other, because everyone was an important part of the community and well being and survival of the Nishiiyuu. Ø If the perpertrator apologized for his actions, and if he/she was sorry, then the Elders said that there was hope and the situation could be rectified. Ø Harmony, Guidance, Respect and a solution and learning was key to the success of the healing that needed to take place after the incident Ø The victim got counseling to continue his/her healing and was guided to find and learn about forgiveness Ø The healing journey is never ending, it continues, because we all live and learn Ø Healing therapy: We live and learn, our Best teachers are our mistakes, and the best teachers are the ones that have gone through trials themselves, which is why the Elders were key to the well being of the community and the family. They did not rely on foreign laws or policies to determine what steps to take. Today we are binded with so many foreign laws, policies that infringes on the rights of the Nishiiyuu well being and healing Ø Nishiiyuu Way: The 1st voice has always been the creator. Ø Modern Cree Way: The Voice is the government that is ruled by the foreign policies and laws that govern our everyday lives Ø Most important lesson was that every single person was important to the community and discord was not tolerated, it was dealt with accordingly by the Chief and the Elders of the community Ø Chief Seattle: “What you do to the earth is what you do to yourself……..You are not separate, you are part of this world, we are interconnected to the Stars, the Earth, the Sky, the Water, and the Air, We are One, regardless of skin, color, race, religion, or place, or statue” Ø Its modern society that teaches us we are different, and segregates and separated us. Creating conflict, disturbance with that harmony and unity
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