Cree justice is taking on a new face in the Cree communities of Mistissini and Waswanipi. Shovels hit the dirt and politicians and bureaucrats got their hands dirty breaking ground for new justice centres for the two communities on July 14.

It’s a far cry from the previous lack of interest in implementing the JBNQA Cree right to administer their own brand of justice.

Yes, Crees have had administrative control of the local police forces under the watchful eye of the Sûreté du Québec who trained and kept them under its wing. Even though the local detachments had limited jurisdiction until recently it was seen as a positive change from the haphazard training most Aboriginal police forces received.

Grand Chief Matthew Mukash said, “…on May 20, 2007, I signed a new justice agreement.” The 20-year agreement guarantees funding to carry out Section 18 of the JBNQA and contains “new provisions with respect to a Cree justice system.”

Mukash said Crees have always had a governance and justice system before non-Crees came to Eeyouy Istchee but the reality is we have to change. “The realities of growing communities and interactions with the non-Cree world have created the need for us to adapt our beliefs, customs and traditions into a hybrid system of Justice.” Mukash went on to say the core values of Crees concerning justice and governance will not change though.

Mukash stated there is a need for these centres as “a growth in social issues that make us realize we need to devote more time and resources to solve them.”

He added, “Justice facilities… will allow us to house local resources, develop programs and be a local hub where healing, wellness and justice activities can take place.”

The Mistissini justice centre will have a round courtroom based on philosophies of respect and harmony. There will even be a mediation room where the local community can facilitate alternatives to the courtroom. Another feature will be a family counseling room to address social behaviour and issues in the communities and individual lives.

“The justice facilities that we build will be representative of the new Cree justice system that we together will improve upon and build to even greater heights,” said Mukash.

On hand in Mistissini were Chief John Longchap, Deputy Chief Kathleen Wooten, Director of Justice Donald Nicholls, Chairman of the Justice Advisory Committee and Whapmagoostui Chief Losty Miamianskum, the architect Marcel Tremblay, the engineer Robert Tremblay, Travis Heritage from Norman Gull’s CRA office, Quebec Justice Department lawyer Francine Des Roches, Quebec Native Affairs Counselor Frédéric Derosiers and political attaché Karina Kesserwan and Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff.

Opening prayer was by William Mianscum, former chief of Mistissini.

Chief Longchap agreed with the Grand Chief saying the Crees were at a point where it was time to have “our own justice system.” Longchap said this was a historical moment for the Cree people. “I know the Grand Chief and his office have done a lot of work on this file. Today we see the fruits of their labours. They will benefit our communities and our Nation.”

Chief Miamianskum said the Cree Nation has been waiting for this moment for a long time. The groundbreaking ceremony marks not the end of a long road that Miamianskum has been involved in, but the beginning of an important journey for the Cree people.

Miamianskum knows what he is talking about as he started as a negotiator and now is starting his second term as Chairman of the Justice Advisory Committee. “I will do the best to build on what we have started here today. There is a definite need for the programs and services the justice centres will give to our people so we will continue the work. We’re off to a good start,” said Miamianskum.

Quebec Justice lawyer Des Roches said she was happy to work with the Crees and to get to this point. She was happy to be invited to the groundbreaking.

“It is a great day today. It’s a great start for the justice system in the Cree communities. Our door is always open and we are always glad to hear from the Crees,” said Quebec Native Affairs political attaché Kesserwan. Her colleague Derosiers said he was glad to participate and he shared in the feelings and comments already expressed.