ALBERTA
RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE
ASSOCIATION
ALBERTA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CONFERENCE 2025
WORKSHOPS
Workshops at the
Alberta Restorative Justice Conference
Below is a list of the workshops and their descriptions that will be offered during our upcoming Alberta Restorative Justice Conference. Each session is designed to support learning, connection, and practical skill-building for those engaged in restorative practices across various settings.
Palash Sanyal
Building Allyship in Restorative Practice:
From Bystanding to Belonging
Workshop Description
Restorative justice calls us not only to repair harm but to share responsibility. Yet in many spaces, those with privilege or positional power struggle with how to support others meaningfully without overstepping. This interactive workshop explores what it means to build allyship in restorative practice beyond words, policies, or formal acknowledgments. Through stories, reflection, and a hands-on framework, participants will explore how to become trustworthy allies in schools, justice systems, boardrooms, and community spaces. We will examine questions such as: What gets in the way of true allyship? How can we show up when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable? And how do we build shared responsibility without making ourselves the centre of attention? Participants will leave with a grounded understanding of how to utilize voice and presence to create space, support power-sharing, and foster trust. Whether you are a youth worker, board member, educator, or restorative justice practitioner, this session offers an invitation to build allyship by walking beside others, not ahead of them to create connection, not perform it.
Shay Sharma
Leveraging Hapi – An AI-Driven Support for Community Reintegration
Founder of Duologue Systems. Shay Sharma is a technology innovator with 8+ years of experience in product development and digital transformation. As the founder of Duologue Systems and CEO of Bluejarvis Technologies, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to turn concepts into functional, sustainable digital products and programs. Shay's educational background includes a Bachelor's in Engineering from the University of Alberta. Throughout her career, Shay has honed her skills in product development and management, AI model implementation, and digital transformation for non-profits and government entities. She excels in user-centric design, stakeholder management, and partnership development, with a particular focus on social impact initiatives and community engagement. Shay's expertise is evident in her notable projects. She developed Ally, a platform that streamlines mentorship processes for internationally trained physicians by integrating career and licensure advisor insights with LinkedIn data. Another significant achievement is COLLAB., a tool for collaborative community issue-solving that was adopted by the City of Edmonton. Her work extends to creating AI models for the Government of Alberta and BC Ferries, showcasing her versatility in applying technology to diverse sectors. Beyond her professional endeavors, Shay is actively involved in community initiatives. She contributes to the Indo Canadian Women's Association (ICWA) as a fundraiser for programs that assist women with domestic violence and serves as the secretary of Technology Alberta's board, playing a vital role in supporting and developing Alberta's tech ecosystem.
Workshop Description
This workshop will introduce Hapi, an innovative AI companion designed to support the entire ecosystem of workers (corrections, staff, and clients) navigating mental health crises and justice system reintegration for vulnerable, justice involved populations. Hapi AI provides trauma-informed, accessible guidance 24/7 via SMS and web interfaces, reducing barriers to support and complementing traditional emergency response systems.
Tiffany Efird
Igniting Change: Developing Restorative Practices to Address
GBV in Rural and Remote Alberta
The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC) is a non-profit education charitable organization working to advance dignity, freedom, justice, and security through collaborative relationships and transformative education rooted in human rights and peacebuilding. Since its founding in 1999, JHC has worked nationally to address systemic inequalities, empower marginalized communities, and foster inclusive, rights-based solutions to complex social challenges. Since 2022, JHC has been at the forefront of efforts to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across Canada through a comprehensive, intersectional human rights lens. Leading a national human rights assessment of the GBV sector, JHC has engaged survivors, frontline workers, and community organizations to identify systemic gaps in prevention, protection, and support services. This work leverages the voices of those most marginalized; women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals facing compounded barriers due to race, socio-economic status, disability, and geographic isolation.
For the survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), accessing justice in rural and remote communities is often an impossible task. Resources tend to be limited to urban centres, and non-existent in rural areas. In a research project to be published in September 2025, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC) explores the challenges survivors of GBV face and depend on a navigator to maneuver the existing justice options. Traditional justice systems may not necessarily be effective in addressing the complex and unique challenges faced in small communities where close relationships tend to extend the impact beyond what the survivors and those who perpetrate GBV. GBV fractures reserves, and remote and rural areas. The only option for many is to leave. We will explore best practices and campaigns that are promoting restorative justice as a necessary option to address GBV/intra-partner violence/family violence and how educators, service providers, and community members in Alberta can come together to hold people impacted by GBV through restorative practices. The goal is to create an exploratory community of practice among practitioners to debrief, learn collectively, and support healing in rural communities This session will guide participants through what it means to have community-based, healing-centered programming that is accessible and refrains from leaving people out or forcing them to navigate fractured service spaces. Addressing GBV in rural and remote communities is not as straightforward as scaling up service provision and requires fully reimagining them to transform the sector and reflect the realities of the people that live there.
Workshop Description
Tyler Oka
Understanding Indigenous Gangs:
Pathways to Positive Change
Tyler Oka is a respected leader in Indigenous justice and community safety, proudly rooted in the Kainai First Nation, Blood Reserve 148. With over 15 years of experience in policing governance and corrections, Tyler brings a deep understanding of both frontline service and strategic program development. He began his career in 2009 with Kainai Corrections and the Blood Tribe Police, and holds a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Justice Studies from Athabasca University. Tyler currently serves as a Senior Probation Officer/Manager, where he has led the creation of innovative programming in federal and provincial reintegration, gang prevention, human trafficking response, and Indigenous court services. He is also a member of the Blood Tribe Police Commission and was appointed to the Canadian Association of Police Governance for a two-year term. In addition to his public service, Tyler is the founder of OKA & Sons Consulting, working with First Nations and Métis communities to advance self-determination in corrections and policing. He also serves as the Gang Prevention Coordinator with Native Counseling Services of Alberta, supporting Indigenous communities in developing culturally grounded gang prevention strategies. Tyler’s work is driven by a commitment to community-led solutions, cultural integrity, and justice innovation. He speaks on topics including Indigenous justice systems, reintegration strategies, gang prevention, and the path to self-governance in public safety.
Workshop Description
This community session explores the roots and realities of Indigenous gang involvement, tracing connections to colonization, systemic barriers, and the search for identity and belonging. It highlights the personal and societal impacts of gang life, then shifts to proven prevention and intervention strategies—from culturally grounded programs to education, employment, and mentorship initiatives. The presentation wraps up with a call to action, empowering the community to support youth and foster resilience through cultural pride, connection, and opportunity.
Victoria Cowtun
Still in the Relationship, Still Deserving of Justice
Victoria Cowtun is a Director of The Hestia Project, a start-up non-profit dedicated to providing restorative justice for families impacted by domestic violence. They are a member of the Calgary Domestic Crisis Response Team, where they specialize in offender reintegration and community-based interventions. Victoria holds a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies and has led innovative research on the links between trauma, behavioural science, and criminalized behaviour. With over 10 years of experience in trauma-informed care, Victoria brings a practical and systems-level approach to healing and accountability. Their work challenges punitive models and champions survivor-centered alternatives. Victoria is committed to transforming how families experience justice — building responses that prioritize safety, healing, and long- term community resilience over short-term punishment.
Workshop Description
The traditional criminal justice system often fails domestic violence survivors—offering punishment instead of healing, and control instead of agency. Traditional justice systems often operate like a blunt instrument — heavy on punishment, light on healing. For families navigating domestic violence, court involvement means disempowerment, surveillance, and trauma stacked on trauma. It rarely asks: What do you need to be safe and heard? It never asks: What kind of justice works for you? This workshop flips that script. We’ll explore how restorative justice offers a radically different path: where victims drive the process—not courts, cops, or lawyers. We’ll challenge the persistent myth that all survivors want to leave the relationship, and dig into why assuming separation is the only goal often misses the mark, especially in communities where family, culture, and connection are core to survival. When survivors define justice for themselves, the outcome is more honest, sustainable, and healing. Instead of relying on institutions that retraumatize and disempower families, restorative justice brings accountability and control into the hands of the family and their community. Survivors choose the terms. Perpetrators face not just consequences, but the opportunity and expectation to do deep, uncomfortable work aligning their actions with their values. We’re not talking about forgiveness, we’re talking about meaningful change rooted in safety, responsibility, and truth. We’ll look at how communities can step up when the system lets people down, and how those who cause harm can be engaged in processes that don’t just check boxes—but actually create change. If we want to stop the cycle, we need to rethink what justice really means. This isn’t soft. It’s rigorous. It’s intentional. And it puts healing at the center.
Linda Wilson
Creating Productive Conflict Within Your Organization:
is there really such a thing?
Linda Wilson is the owner of CorQuest Inc., a corporate training company which has been developing leaders and strengthening teams, throughout Western Canada, since 1993.
Her talents range from being a dynamic business woman and speaker to corporate facilitator. She has a Masters Degree in Continuing Education: Specializing in Workplace Learning from the University of Calgary. Linda is an authorized facilitator and distributor for Everything DiSC and The Five Behaviors training products.
Linda has taught post-secondary courses in leadership and was contracted as the Executive Director for the Leadership Centre of Central Alberta from 2010 to 2018 and coordinated The Leadership Conference for 6 years.
Linda has served and continues to volunteer on several Boards and committees for non-profit agencies and is co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Sylvan Lake & Area. She leads a team of volunteers who have been coordinating a Sunday morning church service at Bethany CollegeSide for the residents and community members for the past 13 years. She was recognized as one of the top 45 alumni of Red Deer College when the College celebrated its 45th anniversary, nominated as Community Builder for Women of Excellence of Central Alberta and received the Dalton Skinner Award from United Way of Central Alberta for outstanding community volunteerism. In her spare time Linda enjoys quilting, knitting, reading, pottery, wood turning and gardening. Linda, her husband and Romeo their cat, live near Sylvan Lake, AB.
Fun Fact: She has flown an airplane ~ had full control for ½ hour ~ but has never taken a flying lesson in her life!
Workshop Description
Who hasn’t experienced a differing of opinions involving strong emotions that can range from a brief explosive interaction or long-lingering, festering issues? Conflict is inevitable so let’s take what is typically a negative experience and transform it into something constructive and productive.
Let’s explore:
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What are the pros and cons of conflict
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Factors that may be driving our own responses during conflict
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Phases we experience before we actually respond during a conflict
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Strategies to navigate conflict which can reduce the fear of confrontation and build
confidence in handling disagreements
Marijayne Deschambeault &
Sgt. Erica Weber
A Restorative Vision: Strengthening Community & Policing in Saskatoon
Marijayne Deschambeault is a proud member of the Whitecap Dakota Nation and has dedicated the past 13 years to Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC). As the Urban Justice Manager, she leads a dynamic justice department that encompasses various programs and oversees a large justice department that includes: Alternative Measures/Extrajudicial Sanctions, Indigenous Court Worker, youth & adult reintegration programs: opikinawâsowin and sîtoskatôwin. Marijayne has been instrumental in advancing the use of restorative justice practices within Indigenous communities (urban and rural), aiming to provide culturally relevant alternatives to the traditional legal processes. Marijayne is the chair of the Saskatchewan Restorative Justice Network and works collaboratively with various stakeholders to promote restorative justice values, principles; processes across the province of Saskatchewan. Marijayne’ s work exemplifies a commitment to justice, cultural preservation and community empowerment in Saskatoon and beyond.
A driving force within the Saskatoon Police Service, 20-year veteran Sergeant Erica Weber, currently champions community-based justice processes as the Restorative Justice Sergeant. Collaborating with the Saskatoon Tribal Council, Public Prosecutions, and the Ministry of Justice, she plays a vital role in these partnerships. Under her guidance, the Saskatoon Police Service mandated pre-charge diversion consideration for minor criminal code offences, emphasizing community justice as an effective alternative to the full criminal process in many cases. Sgt. Weber's influence extends to the training of future officers. Working with the Saskatchewan Police College, she revised their Restorative Justice curriculum for municipal police across the province, shaping police culture from the outset of their careers. Further demonstrating her dedication, Sgt. Weber co-chairs the Saskatchewan Restorative Justice Network alongside Marijayne Deschambeault. Together, they advocate for restorative justice values, principles, and processes throughout Saskatchewan and Canada.
Workshop Description
Policing often presents a significant barrier for offenders seeking access to alternative justice measures, with Restorative Justice (RJ) programs frequently perceived as soft on crime. This workshop features Marijayne Deschambeault from the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Sgt. Erica Weber from the Saskatoon Police Service, who collaborated with justice stakeholders, community leaders, and police leadership to establish mandatory pre-charge diversion for crown-approved summary conviction offenses. Under this new policy, eligible offenders must be diverted to alternative measures or extrajudicial sanctions. These transformative changes have been integrated into police procedures and are being adopted as standard practice by frontline officers. As chair and co-chair of the Saskatchewan Restorative Justice Network, Marijayne and Sgt. Weber actively teach restorative justice principles at the Saskatchewan Police College, lecture at various university campuses, and promote RJ initiatives to community members, government bodies, and Indigenous groups. In 2024, they participated in a keynote plenary panel at the National Restorative Justice Symposium in Ottawa and were recently invited to Labrador to collaborate with justice stakeholders and Indigenous leadership in the RCMP to develop a restorative justice framework for the province.
Lindsey Zucchi & Adjoa Chintoh-Silva
Strengthening Youth and Communities ... Youth Justice Committees the Alberta Approach
Workshop Description
Calgary Youth Justice Society has been supporting youth in Calgary and area for 29 years. The organization’s vision is that “all young people contribute to and flourish in safe caring communities”. The organization works towards this vision by providing programs from a strength-based and restorative approach to help young people reach their full potential while building meaningful relationships and developing positive community connections. In 2024, Calgary Youth Justice Society expanded their reach, in collaboration with Alberta Justice, Public Safety and Emergency Services Ministry and Alberta Law Foundation, to build the capacity of the Youth Justice Committee Program across the province to enhance their restorative justice practices by addressing harm and repairing relationships in communities in a way that is equitable, trauma-informed, and impactful for all parties. This workshop will share highlights of a provincial Youth Justice Committee Needs Assessment including a three-year plan to increase resources, support, collaboration, best practices and referrals for this program. The Youth Justice Committee program, as a Restorative Practice, is most successful when justice stakeholders, law enforcement, Crown, victim's services, community organizations and citizens work together towards a common goal. Learn about how this program is expanding across the province and how you can be a part of its collective impact.
Adjoa Chintoh-Silva
Strengthening Youth and Communities ...
Youth Justice Committees the Alberta Approach
Adjoa (AJ) Chintoh-Silva is a passionate social advocate and community builder, with over 20 years of experience working in leadership in the not-for-profit sector. Her employment portfolio includes roles in community justice, victim advocacy, and programs for barriered and disenfranchised young people. She is an innovative problem solver whose passion is to reduce system barriers for youth and their families. AJ maintains and strives for collaborative relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and community partners on issues of mutual concern.
When not fiercely advocating for youth; AJ can be found immersed in nature, taking in a theatrical performance/ concert or boisterously yelling at a sporting event. Family, Culture and Adventure are her guiding life principles, ultimately supporting her to live out her life motto “Love without limits, live without regrets”.
Lindsey Zucchi
Strengthening Youth and Communities ...
Youth Justice Committees the Alberta Approach
Lindsey Zucchi is the Community Justice Program Manager with the Community Safety Initiatives Unit, part of the Justice Supports Branch at Alberta Justice. She supports programs such as youth justice committees, restorative justice, and community-based access to justice. With over ten years of experience working in the justice system, Lindsey is dedicated to promoting positive outcomes through culturally grounded, community-led approaches.
Workshop Description
Calgary Youth Justice Society has been supporting youth in Calgary and area for 29 years. The organization’s vision is that “all young people contribute to and flourish in safe caring communities”. The organization works towards this vision by providing programs from a strength-based and restorative approach to help young people reach their full potential while building meaningful relationships and developing positive community connections. In 2024, Calgary Youth Justice Society expanded their reach, in collaboration with Alberta Justice, Public Safety and Emergency Services Ministry and Alberta Law Foundation, to build the capacity of the Youth Justice Committee Program across the province to enhance their restorative justice practices by addressing harm and repairing relationships in communities in a way that is equitable, trauma-informed, and impactful for all parties. This workshop will share highlights of a provincial Youth Justice Committee Needs Assessment including a three-year plan to increase resources, support, collaboration, best practices and referrals for this program. The Youth Justice Committee program, as a Restorative Practice, is most successful when justice stakeholders, law enforcement, Crown, victim's services, community organizations and citizens work together towards a common goal. Learn about how this program is expanding across the province and how you can be a part of its collective impact.
Diana McGlinchey
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Canadian Restorative Justice Practitioners:
Strategies to support service providers
and foster vicarious resilience
Principal Investigator, Victimology Research Centre at Algonquin College: Diana has experience designing and conducting trauma-informed applied research with and for survivors of trauma and violence, including those who experience occupational exposure to trauma. In addition to her research, she teaches in the Victimology graduate certificate program and the Police Foundations diploma program at Algonquin College. She is also on the Board of Directors of Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) Ottawa. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/diana-mcglinchey-026312181
Aaron Eyjolfson
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Canadian Restorative Justice Practitioners:
Strategies to support service providers
and foster vicarious resilience
Education Coordinator, Alberta Restorative Justice Association (ARJA) & Criminology Instructor, North Island College: Aaron coordinates the ARJA Community of Practice and is assisting in the development of a RJ mentorship program. Aaron prepares students for careers in the helping professions, primarily in the corrections, policing, and not-for-profit industries. He was a Parole Officer for 18 years and developed PTSD because of prolonged secondary exposure to trauma. He encourages his students to approach their careers from a victim-centred and trauma-informed perspective. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-eyjolfson-61957431/
As instructors and researchers in the fields of criminal justice and victimology, we are aware that service providers often find their work fulfilling but are also at an increased risk of developing negative outcomes due to their exposure to others’ trauma. We are passionate about the value of completing regular self-assessments to monitor changes in Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), implementing early intervention strategies to mitigate its effects, and encouraging organizations to take an active role in recognizing and supporting service providers. We are advocates of trauma-informed supervision, which recognizes that service providers often have their own lived experiences, in addition to experiencing secondary trauma through their work. We understand the critical value of self-care and the importance of organizations taking an active role in facilitating it.
This knowledge sharing session will discuss recent research on secondary traumatic stress in Canadian victim service providers with a focus on the experiences of 75 restorative justice practitioners who participated in the national study Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience. Diana and Aaron will discuss trauma-informed approaches and strategies used to foster vicarious resilience and mitigate the negative outcomes of the very important work of working with victims and survivors.
Workshop Description
Amber Jensen
Implementing a Peacemaking Circle for Youth
Amber Jensen is the Executive Director of Sweetgrass Youth Alliance and serves as President of the Alberta Restorative Justice Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and brings extensive leadership experience to her work in youth and community justice. Previously, she was the Chair of the Lethbridge Youth Justice Committee, where she championed restorative approaches to supporting young people.
Les Vonkeman
Implementing a Peacemaking Circle for Youth
Les Vonkeman is a retired police officer and the owner of Bridging Worlds Consulting. A Sixties Scoop Survivor, he draws on his lived experience to guide his work with communities. He specializes in land-based teachings for youth, fostering connection, healing, and resilience through traditional practices.
Workshop Description
This session will discuss the steps to develop a youth peacemaking circle in your community. You will learn how to integrate the circle into the justice system, work with the Crown, the police and community partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for youth.
Heather Thompson
From Harm to Healing:
A Survivor’s Journey Through Restorative Justice
Heather is a restorative justice facilitator, trainer, and survivor of violent crime. Her personal experience with victim-offender dialogue after her brother’s murder has shaped her commitment to justice rooted in healing. With a background in legal studies, advocacy, and community-based training, Heather works to elevate survivor voices, dismantle the punitive paradigm, and create space for compassionate accountability.
Workshop Description
What happens when the person most harmed sits face-to-face with the person who caused that harm? In this powerful session, Heather Thompson—an advocate, survivor, and restorative justice facilitator—shares her deeply personal journey from grief to healing after the murder of her brother. Through this lived experience, participants will explore what it means to hold space for accountability, compassion, and transformation—even in the aftermath of violent crime. This interactive workshop invites participants to consider the impact of restorative justice beyond schools and minor offenses. We’ll explore the emotional and practical preparation required for a victim-offender dialogue, how family members of victims navigate the process, and what healing can look like on the other side. Grounded in truth-telling and community wisdom, this session challenges traditional notions of justice and encourages a deeper understanding of what it means to restore—not just repair—relationships and communities. Whether you’re new to restorative justice or seeking to deepen your practice, this session offers both inspiration and practical insight.
Gayle Desmeules
Alberta Indigenous Restorative Justice in Action (AIRJA)
Gayle Desmeules, M.A., Q.Med., brings extensive experience and knowledge to her role as a Métis facilitator and trainer. With a passion for culturally relevant restorative justice services, she has dedicated her career to helping practitioners and working with families to address the disproportionate representation of Indigenous peoples in the social justice system. As the founder and President/CEO of True Dialogue Restorative Justice Centre (www.truedialogue.ca), she has established a Stakeholder Advisory Committee in partnership with Alberta Justice, concentrating on the development of sustainable, culturally relevant restorative justice services. Her approach is deeply rooted in understanding and addressing the unique needs of diverse communities, promoting healing and reconciliation.
Workshop Description
This session will introduce you to the Alberta Indigenous Restorative Justice in Action (AIRJA) initiative. AIRJA aims to foster connections among Indigenous and allied Restorative Justice practitioners across Alberta, encouraging safe, respectful, and truth-based dialogue with an openness to diverse perspectives. Our goal is to establish sustainable, culturally relevant restorative justice services that support Alberta Justice’s comprehensive provincial RJ strategy. This initiative emphasizes the necessity of developing restorative justice services that not only accommodate Indigenous perspectives but are also fundamentally shaped by them. Defining restorative justice through an Indigenous lens provides a framework for guiding culturally relevant standards of practice and training. While core facilitation skills are universal, the effectiveness of a restorative process in achieving desired outcomes is rooted in a cultural framework. Therefore, a call to action involves working collaboratively and modeling reconciliation.
Ame-Lia Tamburrini
Restoring Wholeness: Shadow Work for Courageous RJ Facilitation
Ame-Lia Tamburrini, BSc, MSc (she/her) is an embodiment guide and master facilitator specializing in restorative conflict resolution, trauma-informed leadership, and spiritually grounded spaces for transformation. With a BSc in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo and an MSc in Epidemiology (Governor General’s Award recipient), her journey has spanned health, justice, and community engagement across Turtle Island and internationally. For over 18 years, she has helped bridge Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews in high-stakes land-use and leadership processes. Ame-Lia is certified in circle facilitation, executive and spiritual coaching, restorative justice, and public deliberation. She has been a case facilitator for Restorative Justice Victoria since 2018. Known for her calm presence and ability to hold both compassion and accountability, she has worked with government, nonprofits, Indigenous communities, schools, and business leaders to help them navigate complexity, build trust, and lead with greater integrity and presence.
Workshop Description
In every restorative process, there are visible harms—and then there are the hidden forces beneath them: the stories we carry, the patterns we repeat, and the parts of ourselves we pretend are't there. These are what Jung called the shadow—aspects of our identity and desire we’ve disowned. When left unexamined, these shadows don’t disappear. They show up as projections, resistance, control… and even unconscious attraction to conflict or chaos. This workshop offers an accessible introduction to shadow work for restorative justice facilitators and educators. It’s designed to spark awareness and curiosity about the inner dynamics that shape how we show up in conflict, dialogue, and repair. Together, we’ll gently explore how facilitators can unconsciously cling to roles—like fixer, saviour, or moral authority—and how naming and integrating these patterns can lead to more grounded, courageous facilitation. You’ll also be invited to consider how discomfort and emotional intensity, when welcomed rather than avoided, can be powerful allies in healing. Through reflection, storytelling, and experiential practice, participants will: Gain language and frameworks for understanding shadow in themselves and others Try on simple tools for self- inquiry and emotional presence Leave with a basic shadow-aware circle format, reflection prompts, and a group debrief tool This is a starting place, not a deep dive—a chance to explore the edges of your own role as a practitioner, and to consider how embracing your full humanity.
Amber Jensen & Les Vonkeman
Implementing a Peacemaking Circle for Youth
Workshop Description
This session will discuss the steps to develop a youth peacemaking circle in your community. You will learn how to integrate the circle into the justice system, work with the Crown, the police and community partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for youth.
Alan Edwards
RJ in Cases of Sexualized Violence:
A survivor and a Facilitator Share their Experiences
Alan Edwards has been working in the field of restorative justice for over 25 years, and is based inEdmonton, Alberta. Since 2004, he has worked exclusively on cases of serious and violent crime, in theRestorative Opportunities Program of Correctional Service Canada. Alan has assisted many, many people harmed by serious, violent crime to have helpful, productive and valuable communication with those federally incarcerated persons who have harmed them.
In recent years, Alan has developed a focus on the complex practice issues associated with working restoratively in cases of gender-based violence. For example, in 2017-18, he was a member of the University of Alberta’s Working Group on Restorative Initiatives for Sexual Violence. In 2019-20, he was one of two RJ specialists tasked with developing and delivering training for the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces’ Restorative Engagement Program, which is an RJ response to sexualized violence in the military.
Alan has co-authored five papers on restorative justice and violence, co-authored the resource guide “Serving Crime Victims Through Restorative Justice” and continues to deliver advanced RJ training throughout Canada.
Alan is the recipient of the 2016 National Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award, recognizing his contribution to the field of restorative justice.
Stella Braun
RJ in Cases of Sexualized Violence:
A survivor and a Facilitator Share their Experiences
Stella Braun is passionate about early childhood education, specifically outdoor education. She is the co-chair of a non-profit nature playgroup, combining her own passion for the outdoors with her commitment to shaping young children’s futures in a positive way. In her free time, Stella enjoys reading, hiking, and camping, and works as a full-time nanny.
Stella is committed to dismantling rape culture and teaching children the importance of consent from a young age. She has spoken at multiple conferences, studies, and to a class regarding her experience as a participant in a restorative justice process. Stella is very grateful for the opportunity to be a panelist at the ARJA Annual Restorative Justice Conference.
Workshop Description
Over the last 30 years, very few survivors of sexualized violence in Canada have managed to have their cases addressed through restorative justice. Their experiences – of the harm itself, interactions with police and courts, and participation in RJ – have much to teach us about how RJ can support healing and how practices can be adapted to better serve participants. Stella Braun is one of those survivors. After being sexually assaulted, she advocated for her case to referred to her local RJ program. Following months of preparation she met face-to-face with the man who assaulted her. Stella will be joined in this interactive workshop by longtime RJ facilitator and trainer Alan Edwards, who has over 20 years of experience facilitating cases involving sexualized violence. Together, Stella and Alan will share their experiences and insights. Bring your questions and ideas!
Among the topics to be covered:
• What specific RJ principles and values hold the most significant benefit to participants in sexualized violence cases?
• What are some of the practice models currently being used in this work?
• Is there such a thing as “best practice” in this area? If so, what directions might it point to?
• How can facilitators support the development of accountability in those responsible for harm?
• What facilitator qualities are especially helpful to survivors?
Diana McGlinchey & Aaron Eyjolfson
Secondary Traumatic Stress in Canadian Restorative Justice Practitioners: Strategies to support service providers and foster vicarious resilience
Workshop Description
As instructors and researchers in the fields of criminal justice and victimology, we are aware that service providers often find their work fulfilling but are also at an increased risk of developing negative outcomes due to their exposure to others’ trauma. We are passionate about the value of completing regular self-assessments to monitor changes in Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), implementing early intervention strategies to mitigate its effects, and encouraging organizations to take an active role in recognizing and supporting service providers. We are advocates of trauma-informed supervision, which recognizes that service providers often have their own lived experiences, in addition to experiencing secondary trauma through their work. We understand the critical value of self-care and the importance of organizations taking an active role in facilitating it.
This knowledge sharing session will discuss recent research on secondary traumatic stress in Canadian victim service providers with a focus on the experiences of 75 restorative justice practitioners who participated in the national study Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience. Diana and Aaron will discuss trauma-informed approaches and strategies used to foster vicarious resilience and mitigate the negative outcomes of the very important work of working with victims and survivors.
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Julie Nanson-Ashton
An introduction to Restorative Justice Work: How it Applies Successfully to Individuals With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Julie Nanson-Ashton is the Executive Director for the Central Alberta FASD Network. Julie is a certified Restorative Conferencing train-the-trainer, Youth Section 19 facilitator, Peace Making Circle facilitator, and has a Master of Science in Restorative Practices, Health Administration and Psychology. In 2018, Julie developed programming based on Restorative Practice principles for youth and adults impacted by FASD who are involved in the criminal justice system or at risk of being involved. These programs involve a partnership with the Red Deer RCMP, policing units throughout Central Alberta, crown attorneys, judges, school systems and a variety of other community stakeholders to identify individuals with FASD who are also in conflict in their communities.
Workshop Description
Join Julie in an introduction to Restorative Justice work, and how it applies successfully to individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Restorative Practice and Restorative Justice utilize a person-centred, community-based approach to achieve justice caused by a crime or harm, by communally identifying the damage to promote healing for the victim and community, and to provide the offender an opportunity to make amends. The needs of the victim, and any other individuals affected by the crime/harm are identified and acknowledged by the offender, and the offender is supported by a community of support to repair the harm they have caused.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a medical diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. Due to a host of factors including the deficits caused by this disability, evidence-based research confirms that a disproportionate number of individuals with FASD are represented in the criminal justice system. The FASD Restorative Justice Diversion Programming targets individuals suspected or impacted by FASD that have frequent interactions with police/RCMP, are at risk of criminal charges or victimization, have current criminal charges, or are at risk of breaching court ordered conditions, such as probation/parole.
Julie will present on the FASD RD Program, the successes gained over the past 9 years, and the critical role that Restorative Practices played in the program’s trajectory.
Muhammad Asadullah
Truth and Healing in Post-conflict Bangladesh: A Decolonial Approach to Restorative Justice
Dr. Muhammad Asadullah is an Associate Professor at the University of Regina’s Department of Justice Studies. He completed his PhD as well as a Masters in Criminology from Simon Fraser University, Canada. He also holds a Masters in Conflict Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University, USA. He is the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships, including CTL Teaching Award, Neekaneewak Indigenous Leadership Awards, Contemplative Social Justice Scholar Award, Liz Elliott Memorial Graduate Scholarship, President’s PhD Scholarship, and Law Foundation Scholarship in Restorative Justice. His research interests include restorative justice, decolonization, Indigenous justice and youth justice. Currently, he serves as a board member of Circles of Support and Accountability, South Saskatchewan (ww.cosass.ca) and Saskatchewan Restorative Justice Network. Previously, he was on the board of the Vancouver Association for Restorative Justice, Salish Sea Empathy Society. To showcase his work, Asadullah has participated in a number of international conferences in Bangladesh, India, Canada, China, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK and USA. Dr. Asadullah is deeply grateful to the Elders in Treaty-4 territory who guided him to walk on this land with humility and respect.