2026 Indigenous Justice Conference
Oct 20, 2026 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Department of Criminology, as well as the Committee for Decolonization and Indigenous Resurgence, are pleased to formally invite you to attend the first ever Indigenous Justice Conference.
This conference is bringing together speakers and presenters from Indigenous communities, including Kitigan Zibi, Kahnawake, Akwesasne, and the local urban Indigenous community in Ottawa. Presenters will be sharing information, along with their experiences, with the University of Ottawa community about what criminal justice looks like in their communities and territories.
Event details
Session 1
Urban Indigenous Justice in Ottawa: Justice Programming at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre
9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
The first session of the day will feature Jennifer Valiquette, the Supervisor of the Odawa Justice Team, as well as a representative from the local urban Indigenous community in Ottawa. Together, they will share their insights, experiences, and knowledge of the various justice programs and services that are offered at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre.
Session 2
The Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers: Policing Services in the Mohawk Community of Kahnawà:ke
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This late morning session will feature Dwayne Zacharie, who is the Chief Peacekeeper of the Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers, a police force in the Mohawk community of Kahnawà:ke. Besides sharing his experiences about policing in the community of Kahnawà:ke, Dwayne will also share his insights about Indigenous policing in Canada more generally, as he is the current President of the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association.
Session 3
Community Justice in Algonquin Territory: The Kitigan Zibi Restorative Justice Program
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This session will feature Tina Dewache, the Coordinator of the Kitigan Zibi Restorative Justice Program. During this session, Tina will share information and insights about the Restorative Justice program based on her numerous years of experience leading this community program.
Session 4
Community Justice in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory: The Akwesasne Justice Department
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
The final session of the conference will feature Micaelee Horn, the Court Administrator of the Akwesasne Court, as well as another speaker yet to be determined, who will represent the Akwesasne Justice Department. Together, they will share their experience, knowledge, and insights about justice programming that is offered in the Mohawk community of Akwesasne.
Photographs, videos and audio recordings of this event may be produced and may include your recognizable image. By participating in this event, you consent to being photographed, videotaped and audiotaped, and you authorize the University to use any of these recordings for its activities and events, as well as for its print and electronic promotional material.