Indigenous Justice Forum hears message of education, reconciliation

The 11th annual Indigenous Justice Forum kicked off in Charlottetown on Friday with a focus on education and reconciliation.

Elder Noel Milliea, from Elsipogtog First Nation, N.B.,delivered the keynote speech.

He'sbeen working with the Parole Board of Canada for the past 18 years with a particularfocusonIndigenous offender reintegration.

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He said this year's forum is focusedon reconciliation and the transference of Indigenous knowledge to the public.

'True history'

"My message for them today was an openness the ability for us to be able to change perceptions through knowledge and education," Milliea said.

My message for them today was an openness the ability for us to be able to change perceptions through knowledge and education.- Noel Milliea

The forum was an opportunity for the Indigenous communityto be able to"breakdown those barriers" associated with racism, prejudice and discrimination.

And, he added, it providedthe opportunity"for people to be able to learn the true history about who we are as a people."

The idea of learning from Indigenous groupsisespecially important for those who work in the justice system,Millieasaid, to understand how to effectively work with Indigenous people and build relationships.

Truth and Reconciliation Act

A lot of the understanding, he added, involves building uponthe Truth and Reconciliation Act.

"Truth and Reconcilation recommendations there are really amazing and really beautiful. We have to constantly keep feeding them," Millieasaid.

"In our culture and our way of life one of the most important things is about relationship building, for us to always be moving forward and not going back sometimes the fear of going back stops us from moving forward."

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