First Nations Influence


CICR’s experience with the dramatic events of 1990 at and around Akwesasne, was a significant catalyst leading to our cornerstone Third Party Neutral (TPN) program.

The collaboration between the Akwesasne Mohawks and CICR to resolve the crisis also resulted in the creation of a native Mohawk mediation centre called Skennen Kowa, dedicated to peace in Akwesasna. In turn this mediation centre, which grounds itself in a blending of ADR principles and Mohawk traditional values, exemplified consensus building across cultures in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The centre combines the Traditional Teachings of the Elders and customary practices such as the circle process, while taking the best of ADR from western civilization. This model inspired CICR in its own Community Based Conflict Resolution (CBCR) theories, programs and projects.

It is in this historical context that the CICR owes many of its foundational principles and practices. Community Based Conflict Resolution (CBCR) processes are designed to promote a dialogue between disputing parties regarding the issues at hand, to uncover underlying assumptions and to gain insight into the interests, hopes and expectations of the parties involved. The processes provide opposing parties with a framework to generate creative options and choices as they move towards mutually acceptable agreements. CBCR mechanisms address deep-rooted conflicts with dialogue processes that are positively-centered and directed towards long lasting solutions.

Other CBCR processes that reflect elements of First Nations teachings include:

 

  • sentencing circles;
  • restorative justice,
  • family group conferencing;
  • community dialogue;
  • talking circles and
  • healing circles.


In recognition of the importance of Aboriginal involvement in its creation, CICR has appointed an Elder Advisor  – Angaangaq Lyberth. Angaangaq, whose name means “The Man Who Looks Like His Uncle”, is an internationally respected Inuk Elder for the Native communities of the Circumpolar Arctic, North and South America and Europe. In this capacity he facilitates community based conflict resolution, provides individual and group mediation services, and is a traditional healer specializing in culturally-based trauma recovery for adult survivors of child abuse.  

More recently, CICR’s collaboration with Aboriginal peoples has taken many forms;

 

  • Over the past two years CICR has been heavily involved with the community of Sioux Lookout Ontario, through a project called REsolve. The project purpose is to create a conflict resolving community in Sioux Lookout.
  • One First Nation community has used part of CICR’s TPN process in their restorative justice model.
  • The Inuuqatigiit Forum was launched by a CICR graduate, based on CICR’s community dialogue model.
  • CICR has provided conflict resolution cultural awareness to all staff at the Meno ya win Hospital at Sioux Lookout.
  • Other customized work has been done with Ka:nen our children our future, two Friendship Centers, the Metis Nation of Ontario, the Wabano Center for Aboriginal Health, and the Mattagammi First Nation.
     


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