Aboriginal justice pioneer honored

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He didn't do it to receive recognition. But on June 12, at a reception to honor the Indigenous Law Program's first graduating class, Ray Yellowknee was presented with the Aboriginal Justice Award.

The award, established by the Indigenous law program as well as the law faculty, was created in honor of the graduating class. Yellowknee was awarded it for all the effort he has put in at working for change at the grass roots level.

Yellowknee is an area supervisor in the Wabasca area. His achievements include establishing community justice committees and organizing Elder counselling services.

"Less than four years ago, I was approached by two Elders in Wabasca," said Yellowknee. "They wanted to do something for the youth." From this, he said, came the idea of a youth justice committee."

The committee was established with the aid of a circuit court judge. Respected Elders in the community are involved in assisting in the sentencing procedure of young offenders. The Elders focus on healing the youth, as well as helping the family as a whole. Determining a meaningful punishment to fit the crime is also an integral part of the committee.

The success of the justice committee has been overwhelming. Numerous other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities have begun their own justice committees based on Wabasca's success.

Another program to spring from the justice committee has been elders counselling. Respected Elders work with youth and families who are in distress. The families either come from the justice committee as referrals or have sought out counselling on their own. The counselling offered, said Yellowknee, is based on traditional Aboriginal values.

Yellowknee has also given his time to a charitable organization out of Toronto. This youth program called the Frontier Foundation, offers a place for youth to gather in a club environment. The purpose of this foundation is to motivate youth and keep them alcohol and drug free.

Yellowknee was presented with an eagle stone sculpture carved by Fine Arts student Clayton Kootenay. This award will be something to shared with his children and grandchildren, he said.