On Monday, November 25, 2002 and Tuesday, November 26, 2002 the Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform hosted a roundtable with the core group of stakeholders at the Travelodge Hotel in Saskatoon.

This was the second stakeholders roundtable, the first was held on March 12 and 13, 2002. The purpose of the roundtable was to bring together people representing as many interested parties as possible within the communities of Saskatchewan. The stakeholders group was created by the Commission to explore possible reforms to the justice system and ensure the recommendations of the Commission are forward looking.

At this roundtable the stakeholders were asked two questions:

1. Where can the Commission improve?
2. What has been done right so far?

• The federal government should be involved, particularly in First Nation communities. Concern was raised that without federal involvement, the Commission loses a lot of credibility.
• There should be more public awareness of the Commission. This included communication about the reason for the Commission, the terms of reference and about upcoming dialogues, presentations and roundtables.
• Ensure that as many communities are covered as possible. This was of concern as well as the fact that the timeline for dialogues is actually shorter than it appears. Also of concern was the fact that many of the real issues in Aboriginal communities are not being heard because only particular portions of the communities are willing to participate in public dialogues, and many are not aware of the in-camera interviews.

• There should be more follow-up after the dialogues by the FSIN, ANJI and the MNS. Of particular concern was the fact that during dialogues, many of the participants opened up old wounds to the Commission, and there were no supports for them afterward. There was also concern expressed about the safety of community residents after dialogues.
   
• The stakeholders’ roles should be expanded and clearly defined. This is particularly the case when planning to visit communities when stakeholders can be utilized as contacts.
• Police, prosecutors and youth should be more involved in the process at dialogues and stakeholders meetings.
• The Commission should keep international human rights issues in mind while doing their work.
• Update the website more often and include a page for feedback.
• The Commissioners need to be more unique so as to avoid appearing like other commissions and inquiries, which according to many of the stakeholders did not make much difference in their communities.
   
• Implementation of Recommendations:
  • The stakeholders were asked to discuss what an implementation mechanism, vehicle or process would look like. The Commission would like to have identified the mechanism for implementation before the release of their final report.
     
• The stakeholders largely agreed that implementation would have to be legislated. Ideas for an implementation vehicle included:
  • An Ombudsman type organization that was independent from government and community driven;
  • Integrated group that consists of different players in the criminal justice system as well as government and communities that is community driven.

• Much of what this vehicle will look like depends on the nature of the recommendations, keeping in mind that there will be long and short-term recommendations.

• Concerns about the Commission:
  • Communities need more advance notice about the dialogues, and more communities should be involved at the dialogues. This suggestion included informing the stakeholders regularly, some of who claimed they had not received a copy of the first interim report.

• The Commission needs to make more of an attempt to meet:
  • frontline workers (instead of just directors and managers);
  • people on the street in their communities in day to day life;
  • northern communities for example: Black Lake;
  • Women’s Groups and organizations;
  • More organizations.

• Things that the Commission is doing right:
  • Going out to communities to hear from community members.
  • Involving community stakeholders.
  • Focusing on youth.
  • Visiting different institutions and organizations such as the Regina Correctional Centre and Paul Dojack Youth Centre.