NationTalk: The following is being distributed at the request of the Human Rights Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador and Community Justice Connect.
Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador (RFNL), in partnership with Community Justice Connect and First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre, today hosted a proclamation signing, in recognition of Restorative Justice Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. The event was held at the Core Science Facility at Memorial University. This year’s theme is Inspiring Collaboration & Igniting Social Change.
Restorative justice is a holistic framework for engaging individuals, organizations, and communities in dialogue. This approach empowers all to contribute to a culture of care, equity, and connection when engaging with one another. Restorative justice emphasizes the nurturing of relationships, fostering of collaboration, and the development of more resilient communities through mutual respect and shared responsibility.
In addition to the signing, Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador formally launched their provincial restorative justice scan document, Restorative Justice in Newfoundland and Labrador: a catalogue, summary, and history. Copies of the scan document will be available on the Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador website at a later date.
The report is a 75-page document which includes the findings of a provincial scan that was initiated to identify all people and organizations with experience in and an understanding of restorative justice.
Since 2014, significant work has been made to re-imagine education delivery through a restorative justice lens in Newfoundland and Labrador. Many of the schools, with the support of the Department of Education, are engaged to varying degrees to help promote and implement restorative justice principles and practices. This includes NL Schools, Indigenous schools, independent schools, and the Conseil Scolaire Francophone Provincial.
To learn about Relationships First NL, and restorative justice in education, visit: www.rfnl.org
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“Momentum is growing in Newfoundland and Labrador for restorative justice as an action-based collective response that nurtures community well-being, belonging, and connectedness while addressing harm when we face challenges. Proclaiming Restorative Justice Month spotlights our commitment for working together to make such responses a reality.”
Dr. Dorothy Vaandering
Professor, Faculty of Education, Memorial University
Director, Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador