We begin working with the offenders while they are still incarcerated. This way, we get to know individuals and can assist them with their needs and issues while they can still avail themselves to the resources of Corrections Canada.

The process begins when an offender contacts our institutional worker, or one of our our Elders, to begin the process of reintegrating themselves with free society and their Métis heritage. Offenders are encouraged to write a letter explaining who they are and how they expect to make the necessary changes they need to make in their lives to re-join free society.

From this point we begin to contact with the affected Corrections Canada employees, Internal Parole Officers, Community Parole Officers, Native Liaisons, as well as the offender’s spiritual advisor should he or she have one. At this point we will also begin the process of working with the offender’s family.

From this point forward we begin working with all concerned parties. This work entitles a lot of one to one discussions around the offender’s life, and more precisely the lives of the people they have negatively affected. Our goal at this point is to create, or augment an understanding in the mind of the Offender that they have offended, and hurt other members of the community, their family, and the larger society.

We now begin the process of attempting to change the world view of the offender and bring it in line with accepted behaviours, norms, and laws around family, community and society. Our end goal is to support the positive changes in the offender's life which in turn will change their outlook on life.

With this change in outlook achieved we then look at the next steps in the offender's life. The most drastic step is the transition from the institutions to the community. Offenders have spent years, if not the majority of their lives living in a highly structured environment. Though this type of structure is necessary for an offender's punishment, our program focuses more on the offender's rehabilitation.

For more information on the Section 84 Process for Vancouver/Area & Fraser Valley, click HERE

Volunteer?

We do have unique opportunities to volunteer for Walk Bravely Forward. But there are some things that you should understand before you call:

1. All volunteers must first be security cleared through Corrections Services Canada, we can put you in touch with the Corrections Canada Volunteer Coordinator Cindy Allen
   
2. Once cleared, on your volunteer days you can count on spending the entire day at the institution .
   
3. The offenders you will be working with are at different phases of acceptance of guilt. For this reason you need to be prepared for what you are going to hear.
   
4. So long as you abide by the rules as laid out by Corrections Services Canada your safety will not be at risk.
   
5. This is not a political initiative. We are not interested in volunteers with an agenda. Out goal is not to discuss or debate the rules and regulations of Corrections Services Canada, the Attorney General of Canada or any other affiliated law enforcement agency. Our goal is family reconciliation and offender rehabilitation. At no time are you to discuss with the offender the protocol of their trial, or their sentencing, or what you may perceive as the historical wrongs done to Aboriginal People by the Justice System.
   
6. We do not work with all offenders; we do work with those who are ready to work with us.

If you are interested in volunteering for the program, or would like some more information please refer to the contact page.