Mandy Halabi is a respected leader in restorative justice with more than twenty years of experience in the human services sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Development(University of Limerick) and a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Social Development (University of Victoria), along with specialized training in restorative justice, conflict resolution, and peacemaking circles—including an apprenticeship with internationally recognized circle keeper Kay Pranis.

Mandy is the CEO of the Transformative C.I.R.L.E. Practice Centre and a Child and Youth Care Instructor at NorQuest College. Her work spans youth justice, community agencies, families, police, and government partners, where she consistently promotes healing, accountability, and community connection through restorative practices.

A gifted facilitator and trainer, Mandy has delivered workshops across Canada and New Zealand and has played an instrumental role in advancing restorative practices within Alberta. She was central to the Edmonton Youth Justice Committee Society’s transition from a panel model to a full restorative circle process in 2017—designing the circle format, creating scripts, training volunteers, and supporting the development of in-house training capacity. Her continued

involvement has helped EYJCS become a provincial leader in restorative youth justice.

Mandy’s restorative practice includes impactful work with youth, families, and communities. She has facilitated circles that helped rival youth groups de-escalate conflict, supported families healing from intergenerational trauma, and created safe spaces for communication and relationship-building. Her approach prioritizes voice, connection, cultural awareness, and community accountability.

In addition to her direct practice, Mandy is a mentor, educator, and national leader. She has guest lectured at the University of Calgary, MacEwan University, and the University of Alberta; presented at major conferences; and served as Chair of the Canadian Restorative Justice Consortium. Through her mentorship and instruction, she has equipped countless practitioners, students, and community members with the skills and confidence to adopt restorative approaches in their work.

Mandy’s dedication, leadership, and profound commitment to relationship-centred justice continue to strengthen communities and shape the next generation of restorative justice practitioners across Alberta and beyond.

President & CEO, True Dialogue Inc.

Gayle Desmeules has been recognized with the 2023 George Brertton Award for her outstanding leadership and lifelong commitment to restorative justice in Alberta. With over 30 years of experience in social justice, Gayle embodies the principles of servant leadership—listening deeply, acting with humility, and centering community in all she does.

Her career began with the Métis Nation of Alberta and Native Counselling Services of Alberta, where she developed family group conferencing programs and facilitated community healing rooted in Indigenous teachings of Wahkohtowin. As founder of True Dialogue Inc., Gayle continues to provide mediation and restorative justice services that foster understanding and

relational balance across communities, workplaces, and institutions.

A trainer and mentor with the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Canada, Gayle has delivered training across Canada and the U.S., integrating Indigenous wisdom into restorative practice education. Her impact reaches from First Nations communities to universities, social service agencies, and the federal public service, where she serves on an expert panel advancing restorative engagement programs.

Gayle’s work exemplifies the heart of restorative justice—uplifting others, strengthening communities, and honouring human dignity. Her influence continues to inspire practitioners locally, nationally, and internationally.

China Sieger, Program Coordinator for Peace Regional Restorative Justice (PRRJ), is a dedicated leader, facilitator, and community-builder who has shaped the landscape of restorative justice in northern Alberta for more than a decade. A founding member of PRRJ, China helped establish the program in 2014 and has since grown it into a respected and trusted community resource, building strong partnerships across justice, Indigenous communities, education, and social services.

With a background in Restorative Justice from SFU, extensive facilitation experience since 2009, and certification with the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP), China is recognized for her deep commitment to relationship-building and her talent for bringing community partners together to repair harm and strengthen connection. She has fostered meaningful collaborations with RCMP, Victim Services, Crown Prosecutors, local First Nations, the Alberta Courts, community agencies, and government partners—ensuring restorative options are understood, accessible, and delivered with integrity.

China’s impact extends beyond her program. She has been a speaker and trainer at provincial events, served on the ARJA Board, delivered a TEDx talk titled “Within Restorative Reach”, and coordinated the 2022 Northern Alberta Restorative Justice Symposium. Known for her compassion, knowledge, and skill in restorative communication, she mentors facilitators, supports her board, and promotes restorative values in every aspect of her work.

Her leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication exemplify the spirit of Elder George Brertton’s legacy—uplifting communities through healing, relationship-building, and restorative practice.

Luci Johnson has been a criminal court worker within the community of Maskwacis for 24 years and as a community volunteer for more than twenty years. She is a registered Professional Paralegal with her own business in her community. One of the teachings she emphasizes for the Four First Nations youth stem from Cree knowledge which she inherited from her Grandparents and her mother.  She believes in incorporating the two paradigms, the Aboriginal ways of knowing and the Western perspective to make the programming more effective. 

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Over the years, Luci has been instrumental in developing many justice-based initiatives for her community. She has been a valuable resource for bridging the Western judicial system with Cree cultural beliefs, using restorative justice and involving elders in youth community service activities relating conditions arising from extrajudicial sanctions. She is well regarded and respected by the Crown, lawyers and judges who call on her to assist individuals to get access to resources and programs in the community. One of the initiatives she was instrumental in developing is the Maskwacis Iskwewsis Empowerment Program, a community culturally based and an alternative for a court-mandated program assisting young persons in the community. She also worked to develop the Maskwacis Life Skills training program in partnership with the University of Alberta, a curriculum-based drug and alcohol awareness program.

Shirley not only generously shared her time and knowledge, but often lead the way to the necessary steps to create lasting change for the community. One of these initiatives was the development of Fairview & Area Well Community Association.  This umbrella organization was set up to help small community groups address some of the concerns related to the safety and wellness of community members.  Within this agency Shirley turned her talents to the formation of a restorative justice program known as Fairview Community Restorative Justice. Shirley set up the structures of this program, wrote grants for funding and reached out to engage the support of many community agencies. She worked tirelessly with the Fairview RCMP detachment to see that this program would be a success. Not only was Shirley also a mentor to so many young people, she actively sought out volunteers for the Fairview Community Restorative Justice program and saw that they were trained and mentored.  Shirley has also sat on a number of  Boards in the Fairview area such as FCSS Board of Directors, Link Youth Centre Board, Fairview Drug Awareness Coalition and North West Peace Adult Learning Council to name but a few. She remains a champion for this important work after inspiring and supporting so many people to create such meaningful change alongside her.

Kimberly Gorgichuk is a young leader who is passionate about restorative justice, youth advocacy, education, and languages. Born in the northern Alberta hamlet of Eaglesham, Kimberly moved to Edmonton in 2016 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts with a combined major in French and Spanish, and a minor in Linguistics. It was shortly after moving to Edmonton in 2016 that Kimberly became involved with the Youth Restorative Action Project (YRAP), a for-youth-by-youth Youth Justice Committee based on the principles of restorative justice and youth advocacy. She began actively mentoring young people navigating the justice system before taking the lead in chairing restorative justice panels for young people and the people affected by their actions. Elected onto YRAP’s Board of Directors in 2017 as Secretary, she later moved into the role of Vice President, and then President in 2019. Kimberly has balanced this massive responsibility with her ongoing studies and work as a language tutor.

S/Sgt. Nelson Salter graduated from the RCMP’s Depot Division in 1990 The bulk of his career he has focused on community policing initiatives and improving the health and safety of First Nations communities. In 2009 he transferred Alberta, working in the Stony Plain/ Spruce Grove/ Enoch detachment.  One of his first projects was the creation of the Enoch/Paul band Crime Reduction unit in 2010. This was followed by many other initiatives including M.A.G.I.C (Mothers against Gangs in Communities). He co-wrote and was successful in receiving a grant to build youth lead restorative justice programs in both Enoch and Paul First Nations.

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During his time with the Enoch and Paul First Nations Nelson has always helped RCMP members and the communities to resolve issues thru restorative justice verses using the court system. Pushing the idea that as a community we must work together to resolve our issues in order to move forward and live together. Nelson has run a successful restorative justice program in Enoch for the past eight years which other RCMP detachments across Alberta have looked to as a best practice. 

Works with the Saddle Lake Restorative Justice Program, and has been employed as a Youth Justice Circle Keeper for the past 4 years.  He has been a member of the Saddle Lake Restorative Justice-Youth Justice Committee for over 12 years.  Stacey is a youth worker with over 26 years of front line experience working with troubled youth.   

Stacey’s commitment to youth work can be witnessed in listening to him talk about his work, as it truly is his passion.  He was once told, as a young man, to find a job you truly love, and you will never work a day in your life.  Over 26 years of youth work, he has found his calling.  He currently resides in Saddle Lake Cree Nation, having married into the community, over 22 years ago to Rhonda Harrison(nee Makokis).  His spare time, not that he has lots of it, is taken up by his other passions, which include: fostering a 10 year girl, raising 4 dogs, 3 cats, photography, arts and crafts, and prestidigitation (The Art of Performing Magic), and volunteering with various community programs and projects.

Don Lehman has been the Restorative Justice Program Coordinator in Fort Saskatchewan since 2009. He is a husband, father, and is employed full time outside of his RJ duties. Don demonstrates a passion for his programs and continues to develop new and innovative approaches to these programs each year. 

Continually developing partnerships within Fort Saskatchewan and surrounding areas has been an ongoing priority for Don. Some of these partnerships include the youth justice system, the Boys and Girls Club and the Multicultural Society. Don has made headway into local schools and is working with principals to see how restorative justice philosophies can be utilized in the next school year.

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Don has presented at the Community Conference and Peacekeeping Circles, to RCMP members, City Council, and other community partners which has seen a definite increase in interest in Restorative Justice programs within the community. He is focused on maintaining a strong, safe community, repairing damaged relationships, seeking justice for all without involving the court system.

Vanessa Omeasoo is the Neyaskweyahk Restorative Justice Coordinator with Ermineskin Cree Nation and uses circles to assist youth in conflict with the law and helping making available extra-judicial sanction. Vanessa also helps with assisting in workplace conflict and bringing family members together to decide upon a housing or lands decision.

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Ms. Omeasoo’s role facilitates Circles for people in the community. These circles are done for the purpose of support, healing and sharing. She works within the schools, Corrections and by the leadership of Ermineskin Cree Nation to perform these circles, which have been an effective form of intervention within the Maskwacis First Nation community. Ms. Omeasoo also shared her knowledge and expertise in the area of circles by recruiting and teaching volunteers within the community about the Circles as a way to provide the First Nations people in Maskwacis with the skills to manage conflict and to help deter the violence within the community.

Sgt. James LANK served in the First Nations community of Maskwacis,namely the four nations Ermineskin Cree Nation, Samson Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe and Montana First nation for the past several years and since has been transferred to Sundre, Alberta. We will miss him, his input and respect he had for our Cree traditions and values in the community

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Sgt. Lank allowed the youth and  young men of the community a chance to contact Elders, court workers or health representatives thus giving people a sense of need and desire to help themselves before anyone else can help them, for which they were very grateful. In the criminal justice areas where charges were laid to an individual, he worked with not only the families if they had to return home (i.e. domestic violence), he spoke and made sure not only the victim was being acknowledged but the home environment and who would be residing there.

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Sgt. Lank honoured the Cree culture and incorporated this into the files and meetings to address life altering issues, he would often sit with the victims at the courthouse or at community meetings support them and allow them to discuss their feelings as the victim keeping the calm presence, not only to our community but to his office environment and general duty police officer.